Case conundrum

paulc

paulc

paulc

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5 Oct 2003
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78
So, after making the decision to go for water cooling for my next build I thought I'd have a go at modding my currently unused PC70. You now find me after 2 broken drill bits, much frustration and thankfully no injuries. My thoughts are now focused on getting a new case that either a) requires little or no modding to install w/c kit or b) can be modded at source. The current options that come to mind are:

PC70 with 120.3 in roof (modded at source)
G70 with 120.3 in roof (modded at source)
G70 with 120.3 on floor
V2000 with 120.3 on floor (little or no modding?)

What are other peoples thoughts and experiences on this front? I'm leaning towards the V2000 on the looks and ease of installation front.
 
The G70 is just an updated PC70.

I would be inclined to go for a G70 modded at source.

Plenty of space and options, plus if you have some serious money they look great in the colour copper. :)
 
Still not chopped up the PC-70 yet. :D

If top mounting get a rad grill to cover the cut edge and you don't need to be that accurate in cutting the hole for the rad.

A jigsaw with a good quality aluminium blade is easier and quicker for cutting out the shape than drilling or dremmeling.

Drill out the 4 rivets thats hold the roof panel in place (can be replaced with self-tappers after) makes it much easier to work on on its own.

I could run you through a complete step by step installation if you want to DIY it.


If you are looking to buy new I'd go for the top mounted G-70.
With floor mounts on both the G-70 and the V-2000 you loose all the standard HDD bays.
 
messiah khan said:
I think a step by step could be quite usefull for the sticky anyway Davemac, especially if we can have pictures as well. We like pictures here in CC. ;)
Click to expand...
Sounds like a plan, I'll dig out some photos and draft up a guide.
 
That would be great.

I Layed it all out with masking tap and even selotape to stop the drill bit skipping, but didn't really help. In theory I was going to use the holesaw I have for the fan/rad mounting - didn't get that far as drilling pilot holes for everything wasn't as easy as I'd hoped.

Decided to get a non w/c system up and running in my PC70, then transfer it to a pre-cut G70 with added w/c at a later date. Means I can (hopefully) get new toys for the bank holiday and then go back and have another go at a touch of metalwork at my own pace. Probably more expensive in the long run, but a bit more attainable.

As for the anodising, I'll pass this time round... my bank balance is going to be slightly cratered just with all the bits.
 
New toys are always good, I'm trying to conjure a way to sneak a new graphics card on the credit card statement past SWMBO :D

Guide in progress, here's a relevant preview:


Centre punch the drill holes to prevent the drill slipping and scoring the surface. An automatic punch is ideal, if not use a hammer and punch or nail or screw but place some timber inside underneath to prevent the panel buckling.
Drill a pilot hole with a 1 or 2mm HSS bit first as this is easier to control, then drill through with a 4mm HSS bit.
8drilledeh3.jpg
 
Cool, I've had a quick glance and will go back and study it later. Will probably go a for pre-modded case, or maybe a mountain-mods as they will swallow a 120.3 without an effort, and then come back and finish modding the PC70 later. I'd prefer to have my shiny new kit up and running, with as little down time as possible, and if things go bad it might cause problems in that department :D . Before any of that though, might have to as5 the chipset heatsinks first, my p5w dh is hitting 45-46 as I type this with nothing much else going on...
 
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