Modding Mayhem!
I ran into more than my fair share of problems over the next few weeks working on the project. I managed to burn out a DVD drive and short (and melt) 3 cables through carelessness and working too quickly. I also had to re-make the front fan grille (for artistic reasons) and re-position some LEDs in the slot drive as the internal disc-tray was hitting them causing CDs to eject when inserted. I also had to generally cut/shape/enlarge a few things on the actual C³ case itself to make some things fit. All was worked out in due course though and everything worked a treat. In all, I probably ended up doubling the time it would normally have taken to do these particular mods - and this resulted in a lengthy period to the updating of my project log and another one of those depressing, hill-cresting views. Fortunately the next hills were a lot smaller and I could picture things actually getting finished!
The results of these weeks of work speak for themselves:
The completed DVD drives, fan controller and radiator mounting.
Front bezel covering the completely chromed DVD drives with custom made backlit eject buttons and relocated and additional LEDs. The rear view of the DVD drives shows the hidden molex plugs, neon plexi top and bottom panels, chromed covers, stainless steel mounting hardware, plug wire separators and cut-away drive cage.
DVD-R/RW with vinyl-dyed black tray, chrome tray end and plexi cover with stainless steel cap screws.
Turn out the lights and power on - Orac³ really comes to life...
Chrome radiator and chrome fan. The radiator fan was chromed, vinyl dyed, re-wired and drilled, amongst other things.
New case feet fitted, mesh screen on radiator and custom made front grille. Mmmm...waaterrr coooolinnnggg...
I can\'t wait to get all those Tygon hoses fitted!
Stainless steel shower hose fittings work well with chrome DVD drives as does a custom front grille and new eject button.
How the front is looking now and a view from the top - a few fan cables added and re-directed with plug wire separators.
Side view showing all the new work from the fan controller down. If you are wondering what the black thing is - I wrapped the loose cables in black cloth for the pic to give more of an idea how the front of the case will eventually look.
Matrix Orbital VK204 VFD (and just in case you were wondering what you were looking at...). I hope to do some work later, programming some proper logos and screens.
I am generally fairly happy with how the project was coming along at this point. I will alter a couple of things later when I can see the whole case finished in order to tone up (or down) aspects that may not fit including concealing the volume and headphone sockets on the drives.
Want to know how it all works?...
I ran into more than my fair share of problems over the next few weeks working on the project. I managed to burn out a DVD drive and short (and melt) 3 cables through carelessness and working too quickly. I also had to re-make the front fan grille (for artistic reasons) and re-position some LEDs in the slot drive as the internal disc-tray was hitting them causing CDs to eject when inserted. I also had to generally cut/shape/enlarge a few things on the actual C³ case itself to make some things fit. All was worked out in due course though and everything worked a treat. In all, I probably ended up doubling the time it would normally have taken to do these particular mods - and this resulted in a lengthy period to the updating of my project log and another one of those depressing, hill-cresting views. Fortunately the next hills were a lot smaller and I could picture things actually getting finished!
The results of these weeks of work speak for themselves:
The completed DVD drives, fan controller and radiator mounting.
Front bezel covering the completely chromed DVD drives with custom made backlit eject buttons and relocated and additional LEDs. The rear view of the DVD drives shows the hidden molex plugs, neon plexi top and bottom panels, chromed covers, stainless steel mounting hardware, plug wire separators and cut-away drive cage.
DVD-R/RW with vinyl-dyed black tray, chrome tray end and plexi cover with stainless steel cap screws.
Turn out the lights and power on - Orac³ really comes to life...
Chrome radiator and chrome fan. The radiator fan was chromed, vinyl dyed, re-wired and drilled, amongst other things.
New case feet fitted, mesh screen on radiator and custom made front grille. Mmmm...waaterrr coooolinnnggg...
I can\'t wait to get all those Tygon hoses fitted!
Stainless steel shower hose fittings work well with chrome DVD drives as does a custom front grille and new eject button.
How the front is looking now and a view from the top - a few fan cables added and re-directed with plug wire separators.
Side view showing all the new work from the fan controller down. If you are wondering what the black thing is - I wrapped the loose cables in black cloth for the pic to give more of an idea how the front of the case will eventually look.
Matrix Orbital VK204 VFD (and just in case you were wondering what you were looking at...). I hope to do some work later, programming some proper logos and screens.
I am generally fairly happy with how the project was coming along at this point. I will alter a couple of things later when I can see the whole case finished in order to tone up (or down) aspects that may not fit including concealing the volume and headphone sockets on the drives.
Want to know how it all works?...
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review
October 14 2021 | 15:04
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