[WORKLOG] Pr3ds Scratch Build w/c'd mATX case!

Hey guys!

I promise after this wall of text i will keep the writing to a minimum and include as many pics as possible!

Ever since i did my Tj-08 build i have fallen in love with the mATX form factor! I have had some ideas in my head for a scratch build case for a while now and i recently got the modders itch so i decided to give it ago!

This is the first time i have done any modding to this level (is it still called modding when its a scratch build? :S) so play nice!

Over the weekend I visited a good mate of mine who has quite the collection of tools in his shed! Including the equiptment needed to weld aluminium. So i was able to knock over pretty much everything bar the cladding which I will hopefully be getting professionally cut.

My basic design requirements
- mATX form factor with horizontal mobo!
- watercooled
- Have the case split into two sections, lower half for rads, psu etc and top half for mobo etc.
- windows! must see my pretty hardware!

Specs:

CPU: Intel Core i7 4770
MOBO: ASUS Maximus VI Gene
RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum CMD16GX3M2A1600C9 16GB
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB (2 in SLI)
PSU: Corsair AX850 (I think lol its still in my Tj-08 build)

CPU Block: Watercool HK CPU Rev.3
GPU Block's: Heatkiller GPU-X3 GTX 780 - Hole Edition

Anyway as I said I already have most of the frame work put together so ill upload some pictures shortly to give you a better idea of whats going on!

 

I used 3mm thick 20mm x 20mm Aluminium angle for the frame. This awesome band saw that also has the feature of like a drop saw made it easy to cut the angles at 45 degs.





The peices welded together and then cleaned.









This vise made sure that when we were welding, the pieces were kept at a right angle. Made life alot easier.




Here is all the frame work in place and a PSU roughly inplace to give you an idea of the layout and size

 

The middle section of the frame i made removeable to make it easier to access the lower compartment. I use these little fellas called "nutserts" which are essentially rivots with thread in them!



The Nutsert tool. Its pretty much just a rivot gun with interchangable threads on the end depending on the thread of the nutserts. I used M4








I originally bought Xigmatek Gigas in the hopes of modding it for this build. http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=134 I ended up removing the motherboard tray and cutting some holes to allow for cables to pass through and CPU backing plate.

Here it is sitting ontop of the frame







Welding the tray to the mobo frame




Took the I/O bracket off this lian li mobo tray and attached it to my mobo tray

 

And here is a couple photos of what I have so far with some place holder components sitting roughly in place.

 

Here are mock ups of what my panels will look like. They will be cut from 2mm thick aluminium sheet.


Front Panel


Rear Panel


Side Panels


Top Panel (just a giant window basically lol)

 

Loved the TJO8-E build and my TJO8-E server, Subbed to another great build

 

Thanks dave . This is a whole new experience for me so I'm pretty pumped to do it all!

I forgot to mention. The overall dimensions of the case are (h) 380 (l) 340 (w) 280

 

It looks like a pretty sweet setup so far, can't wait for more updates! :>

 

just gave the go ahead to get the panels CNC'd from this mob http://www.laserwizard.com.au/. Gave me a quote of $137 excl. shipping. Not too bad at all!

I have a few minor things to do this weekend. Like figure out where to put my hdd's and the res. will keep you all posted

 

Small Update. Figured out what I am going to do with the res and drilled the holes for the pass through's for the hoses. Also got my radiator mounts and test fit them.

 

Nice work mate

 

Looking good so far, mate - have you mentioned what finish you will be going for?

 

Cheers!

No not yet. Im definately going black. I have a mate in the powder coating business so that is an option. Also I am a mechanic and we have a panel beater at work who said he has alot of black paint with a kind of green/blue metalic flakes in it (Its a BMW colour. Ill get the actual name of it when I see him next)

I have never seen powder coating before so im not really sure how it is in terms of durability and finish. So im still undecided at this point.

 

Does anyone Have any input on a good spray paint vs powder coating?

I think its time i reveal what hardware i am putting into this build






CPU: Intel Core i7 4770
MOBO: ASUS Maximus VI Gene
RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum CMD16GX3M2A1600C9 16GB
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB (2 in SLI)
PSU: Corsair AX850 (I think lol its still in my Tj-08 build)

CPU Block: Watercool HK CPU Rev.3
GPU Block's: Heatkiller GPU-X3 GTX 780 - Hole Edition

I fit one of the GPU Blocks this evening. Pretty sexy if you ask me



Ill update the original post with the specs so i dont tease everyone else

 

i got all my cladding back from the CNC mob! they did an awesome job. Now i need to drill the holes for mounting them to the frame and modify the front panel to house my fan controller. I have friday off so ill hopefully get alot of it done then!

Front and rear panels


Side panels


Top panel

 

Cool build mate!

Subbing

 

Cheers mate! Im trying my best to keep the updates flowing!

After this weekend all I will need to do is get it painted and mount the windows and grill before i start putting in my tasty hardware

 

Looks great! Will keep my eye on it.

Non-k cpu?

 

Thanks mate

To be honest I have never been very good at the over clocking side of my builds. I know you are probably thinking "why bother water cooling then you nut job" and people usually watercool for either noise reduction or low temps/ overclocking. Personally I'm all about the build process. Having an idea in your head and sitting back and looking at that idea come to life when it's finished is satisfying in itself. In saying that I do also appreciate the low temps and noise reductions of water cooling too

 

I got a fair bit of work done today on the case since I had a day off!

I mentioned earlier that I had a Xigmatek Gigas that I stole the motherboard tray from. Well this was another piece that i stole from it!



Mounted to the front panel





Pulled the fan controller out of my tj-08 build and pulled it apart and modified it so i could mount it on the front panel.







Had to file down each of the knobs so that it would clear the panel.



The end result