Build log (first forum post)

custom front panel anyone?

so lets get started. you have all seen me cutting holes so far, here is an update (not 100% done with the front panel yet, but we will see soon!)
front with all holes cut
xx9u9xjl.jpg
the plan!
h3Q8oOql.jpg
metal panel all wrapped up!
IJAV7kWl.jpg
with front cover assembled
bn66mitl.jpg
how it looks on the case...
3RsrT03l.jpg

I am still not 100% happy with it, it will have to come apart for me to fit my fan filter mesh in so i may decide to strip the wrap off and plasticdip it. any thoughts/experience with plasticdip?

will be doing the top too btw!
 
DJ_Bucho said:
That looks superb mate, I love the colour combination of the red and the white, I think they go really well together. You must be getting some cooling benefit from those 3 fans now?
Click to expand...

well now my gpus run at 51 degrees when mining (max load for a few days), VRM temps are 46/47 degrees for card 1 and 47/48 for card 2. not bad for a couple of 290x's xD
 
Kipz said:
Lets see some more up front shots! I'm gonna be sticking 2 140s up front and now youve for my intrigued about cutting holes in the front!
Click to expand...

can i say that working with this metal sheet is damned hard without a pillar drill. if you can get access to one, do it! also note that the metal marks very easily as well as the side window (cheap ass polycarb from what i can tell).
you may want to steal my idea for front fan filtering if you plan on modding the front panel. once you cut holes, you see the nasty looking fan grills that are there. going to use some filter mesh between the front panel parts (between metal and plastic) and use some 20mm shrouds (think i measured it correctly, they should fit nicely!) to direct air flow so it pulls through the filters at the front!

small update: second sheet of wrap has arrived. stay tuned for pics of the top heat wrapped!
 
here's the top metal panel wrapped
vWtkA48l.jpg
top panel assembled (did wrap the buttons, but decided to leave them white in the end to tie it in to rest of the PC)
ZBs5TvOl.jpg
the PC as it is right now...
J54v9iMl.jpg
going to be at least a week until i get the rest of my bits unfortunately, so plenty of time for people to get their thoughts/suggestions in!
 
Gpus before 70 degrees gpus now 52 degrees. Bear in mind that they a watercooled not like yours are so I can't make any promises that you will get over 15 degrees of temp drops.
 
Kipz said:
Still looks great!

My only worry with this case is the amount of airflow I can get over my 2 670s. I don't want them to run ridiculously hot. The mod you're doing looks to pretty much eliminate that problem area. Don't suppose you have before and after temps?
Click to expand...


Something that is quick and easy to do might be worth a try though. Remove the insulating foam and grill from the front panel. Takes a few minutes to do and can yield very good results. Maybe just try taking the grill off first as it only a few screws!
 
Kipz said:
Well im going to be having a 280 rad up front so basically I really cant afford to be starved of air because I need airflow to cool the rad and provide coolish air over my gfx cards. Im guessing just removing the front pannel completely would yield the same results in benchmarking though so I can see the comparison between the two before making cuts.
Click to expand...

removing the front panel would be great for benchmarking, i run mine with the top and front covers off when i am near my PC because nothing in the world will provide better airflow but i am too chicken to leave it naked all the time! like i said, there are grills inside that pop out with a couple of screws and i found that just removing them made some difference to temps. give it a go!
 
update time! still haven't got the side window sorted. keep forgetting to take measurements doh! front cover is pretty much done though. still need to get my shrouds too but i don't mind that!
PJk5D83l.jpg
MCxaF9Yl.jpg
u2q1fJll.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom