Mod of the Month - February 2009

Q-vent 900

by FrooP
Worklog: Here

We’re not sure what impressed us most about FrooP’s Q-vent 900, the fantastic Google Sketchup 3D rendering (particularly with the Kerkythea plugin) or the futuristic design with backlit cut-outs that reminded us of some super advanced computer that might be found on a Romulan Warbird. Either way, Q-vent 900 deserved its place in this month’s Mod of the Month line up.

Like several other mods featured this month, FrooP spent plenty of time in the planning stages which resulted in a pretty smooth transition between updates.

Water-cooling seems to be a popular inclusion at the moment too – no arguments from us there though and we’re particularly interested in the custom motherboard waterblock FrooP mentions too – more on that in a future update we hope FrooP?


First up it’s forward rather than back to the drawing board. A combination of physical and rendered drawings and images can only help to provide a smooth a ride as possible from concept to completion. The popular Antec Nine Hundred is the case of choice here. Initial Sketchup images clearly show the intended design and how things will (or should!) pan out.

Here’s the rather impressive Kerkythea render too – good job! As we can see the main feature of the case will be the shroud that surrounds the lower half of the motherboard. We can also see the beginnings of the water-cooling system with a pump in the front of the case.


Now it’s time to get physical and here we can see the beginnings of the shroud with the design already cut out. Looks spaceship-like already doesn’t it? Here’s the same section bent to shape, painted black and in position. If the Antec Nine Hundred didn’t look mean before it certainly does now.


Moving swiftly on and the shroud has its turquoise backing fitted. This should look great when lit up from behind. We get a hint of this in this image of the completed shroud with what looks like fake circuitry etched onto it. We’re looking forward to seeing the finished article!


The backing makes more appearances elsewhere on the case. This again should look fantastic when lit from behind, adding to that supercomputer look! We’ll have to wait for the custom motherboard block but FrooP’s managed to make his own hard disk drive coolers which will be added to the water-cooling loop.

If you think Q-vent 900 deserves to win vote here in the forums.