I have been working on a new case for my computer for almost a week now and things are finally starting to come together. I’m posting this because I think it will be interesting to get responds and tips on what I have done right and what I could have done better.

So, here is what I have done so far:

The first thing I started working on was the frame. I want to build a cube-like case and figured I would be able to fit everything in a 33cm cube, I would also need to have a second floor in the case. So I bought some aluminum profile cut 12 pieces each 33cm long, and then I managed to get hold of some super strong epoxy meaning I don’t have to hard weld or use screws. So I glued the frame together and managed to get a nearly perfect cube (I’m about 2-3mm off ).

[Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures of me building the frame]

So far this have cost me 18€ for the aluminum profile.

Next I went out to hunt down some Plexiglas; since I want this to be as cheap of a build as possible I took my time finding the cheapest vendor and ended up buying a 1500x750mm piece of Plexiglas for roughly 30€.

Since I’m such a cheap bastard I wanted to cut the Plexi myself. I started off using a skill saw to cut the piece in two, after that I tried to use a knife, to cut and break the Plexi into suitable sized pieces. This method worked really great for awhile and then the pieces started to break at the wrong places so I ended up finishing the last two pieces with the skill saw.

[pics^]

Current cost of my build: 48€
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Went for a visit at my local hardware store and bought two piano hinges, four 90 degree angled metal thingies to have my second floor to rest on and 8 wagon bolts. All for the suitable price of 10€. I glued the metal thingies and the piano hinges to the frame and let the epoxy dry over the night.

[pics^]


Current cost of my build: 58€
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Got my new radiators and nipples I ordered from http://www.vcore.dk 4 days ago, they are looking sweet. Then it was time to drill some holes so that I can attach the rads to the roof, to get things perfectly aligned I ended up using some fan grills taped to the Plexi, that way I was pretty sure I’d drill the holes perfectly aligned.

[pics^]



Now I just need to drill some huge holes so that the air can come out from the case. Found a perfect drill with a round saw-like thingy with a 105mm diameter. Fortunately this worked, it didn’t crack the Plexi but unfortunately I ran out of batteries >_<.

[pic^]


Current cost of my build: 58€ + 100€ for the water-cooling gear.
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I have now drilled all holes needed to attach the walls to the frame, now i only need to buy some nuts and i should be set for installing my computer into my case

Next time i will be able to work on my case however is Wednesday, so i guess i'll post an update with pics on Wednesday night.
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Managed to get some pics of where I'm at right now, will most likely put the case together tomorrow (wednesday).

[pics]






Tomorrow, ^ that is what I'm going to work on, the middle floor. Hopefully everything will work out and I will make the next update from that computer
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As i was hoping Im making this update from THAT computer Its not completely done, gotta paint the walls and make a hole in the front for the DVD burner, other than that it's pretty much done

Here are some pics of how its looking right now!

[pics]







[yay lights pics, couldnt figure out a good setting for my camera for these pics so they look like crap :/]
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/tJev/IMG2441.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/tJev/IMG2442.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/tJev/IMG2443.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/tJev/IMG2444.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/tJev/IMG2445.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/tJev/IMG2446.jpg


Now that im used to seeing everything inside my computer im not sure if i will paint it or not
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Today i finished the front, cutting a hole for the power button and the dvd drive. Went pretty good, not "perfect" but i think i'll survive with the current looks..

[pic]


I also managed to glue to right panel to the hinge, im not sure if its any strong since usually its pretty hard to glue plexi... -.-' Anyways, it seems to be working and im going to start glueing the left panel any time now, after that is done i consider this box done!

[pic]


Seems like im having some real heat issues with the case closed with all panels on.. Perhaps i need to make an intake or just install a second fan :/ Now im running the case with the left panel slightly open to let the GPU blow out its hot air instead of keeping it inside the case..

Anyhoo it seems that i was able to glue both panels to the case and im pretty much done (not taking the heat issue into consideration )
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Case is now almost completed, I managed to take care of the heat issue by replacing the thermal compound on my GPU. The only thing i have left to do is make some kind of intake hole at the bottom level. If im lucky ill be able to cut out a fan hole today.

[pics]





http://www.bandwidth.se/view/7932
http://www.bandwidth.se/view/7934

-tJev

looks great so far. And welcome to the forums. Please take the time to fill out the rest of your profile.
your location at the least this way we can better assist you when you ask for it . second make sure you read the forums rules you will find that it is the first section of the forums.

then find the hello and introductions thread and tell us about yoru self. other then that welcome to the forums.

Thanks.
Consider it done

Hey man great job. If i may make a suggestion to eventually pop rivet the frame so that it will not eventually wear down and fall apart. Its not expensive either.

Thanks. About pop riveting the frame im not sure if i want to do just now, as i probably mentioned in the first post this epoxy/glue is super strong and should last a few decades.. but if i ever get a change to have it riveted for free by someone i know i might just do that Thanks for the suggestion, ill keep it in mind.

-tJev

No prob man

Todays update!

I have installed a 120mm front intake fan with a fancontroller, almost all temps dropped by a massive 10deg C with the fan running completely noiseless (sadly my PSU is what makes the most noise). Anyways here are some new pics!




I also had an accident last night, the right panels hinge lost contact with the frame, i quickly roughed up the surfaces and reglued them. Seems like its OK today.

If you have any suggestions on what i can do next, dont be shy, shoot

-tJev

Nice.

I like watercooling systems . i will get one on my own when i have the money for it;)
I mabey missed it, what system will you use?
Have you posted the project log on the swedish site http://www.sweclockers.com ? If not do it !

// Martin

No, i havnt posted it no Sweclockers yet, will do though

The watercooling system is based on ThermalTakes Bigwater 745 (cheap stuff) but i have changed the radiators to two 120x240mm ones. Im planning to change the CPU block and perhaps get a GPU block and put it into the circle.

Edit: Im thinking about buying EK Supreme, what kind of pump would it require? I would like to be able to run both CPU and GPU later on.

-tJev

Very nice...Water cooling and boxes are the big thing now!!!

Thanks! Yeah, it seems like it is..

I've ordered a PCI-E riser card so that i can put the GPU in the first PCI-E slot and regain the performance loss i had by putting it in the 4x pci-e port.

I think i've settled for buying a MCP655-B pump and a D-Tek FuZion Rev 2 cpu block and some 7/16" tubing. Hopefully it will lower my temps on the CPU enough to let me OC it a bit further (i reached 3.37Ghz (2.13Ghz stock))

EDIT:
New update!

Apparently the side panels hinge solution didnt work out as good as i had hoped, so now i have down the walls down. Im going to buy some more plexi and bend it so that i can have one piece covering the front and sides. This will look way sexier and will make it easier to paint the darn thing I've settled for painting it white and make some transparent stripes and a window on the right side panel.

Any thoughts, stripe designs and whatnot are welcome!