Dell XPS 700 case - BTX to ATX conversion

bijomaru · 2 Aug 2012 at 17:07

Honda Mugen PC Case - Dell XPS 700 - BTX to ATX conversion

This is my first project log and case conversion ever, so probably won't be all perfect. The first mistake I know I've already made was not taking pictures from the start and before I actually started the conversion.

So the story is I got a XPS 700 case as a freebie, only to realise when I opened it up it's a BTX case. Having done some research and checked few other conversion threads, I decided to give it a go, since I really liked this case. And it was much better than one I had at that time.

Old case

Started off by getting a Lian-Li PC60 Motherboard Tray with back panel. Then took all the bits out of the XPS case in preparation. At this point the project got stuck for good few weeks, as it involved cutting out a large portion of the back of the case, to accommodate for the inverted expansion cards slots.

So when I finally got cutting it involved some drilling to get rid of the rivets holding the back panel, then cutting off the metal pieces that were in the way of the Lian-Li tray.

Before I fitted the Lian-Li tray, that had to be drilled and taken apart as well, as it just would not go in as one piece. Once in place, I used some screws and standoffs to join it back together.

So... here are the pics from the moment the tray was in place, to completing the build to make sure everything fits right and works.

Now in the next coming week or two, I am planning to take it all apart again knowing it all fits in, and gave the case a proper clean, since it's been out of use for some time and doesn't look as good as it could be. And the cooling has to be updated. Can't bear the look (and sound) of the Gigabyte CPU cooler anymore.

bijomaru · 2 Aug 2012 at 20:23

It's Gigabyte 3D Rocket II GH-PCU23-VE

Quite good actually, except for the way it looks and noise at high rpm

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2018

bijomaru · 2 Aug 2012 at 23:25

Thanks guys. That was the only way to convert that case with reasonable time and effort. I saw someone's log doing it the way you won't be able to tell it's converted, but it took ca. 6 months.

Just need to sort out the cooling as it runs a bit hot without any case fans

bijomaru · 3 Aug 2012 at 19:47

Not a big fan of salads so probably won't go that route ...

bijomaru · 7 Aug 2012 at 18:42

The power switch is a dell proprietary board and cable. I got some info on the connections used, but will need to find some more time to do this as I'm not that good with electronics.

And the cooler is driving me nuts. So what it was given good scores at performance, if it's so freaking loud!

bijomaru · 7 Aug 2012 at 19:09

Well here's the board, and the switch, with 6 cables ... lol

The board also controls the 2 sets of LEDs at the front, Audio jacks, USBs and IEEE 1394.

Oh what joy ...

bijomaru · 7 Aug 2012 at 19:59

Done some digging and apparently I need this board from XPS 730.

In my XPS 720 the cables from the front panel go straight to Dell Motherboard. In 730 the went to intermediary board which was then wired to mobo. Also found a thread on some other forum with custom wiring and wiring diagrams.

There is hope

bijomaru · 7 Aug 2012 at 21:32

Progress! Of the 6 cables I've identified 4 responsible for PWR and HDD LEDs. Leaves 2 for power switch.

bijomaru · 17 Aug 2012 at 21:13

This thread is not dead yet. As a matter of fact is has become much more then just a conversion. The case will be modded heavily over the next few weeks. I have been ordering some custom parts etc, also speccing up some upgrades, and getting the LED switch designed and sorted.

Got a rotary switch and started to put the LEDs together, but I'd have good 20 wires running around to power and control this thing.

So ... I've decided to design a PCB board (my first) to manage all the LEDs and colour combinations. With some help, I got this:

Also got an etching kit from Maplin. Will get the board done and tested this weekend. Then hopefully the part will start coming through

bijomaru · 19 Aug 2012 at 17:19

My 3rd and so far best attempt on transferring the print onto the board ...

Not sure if my iron doesn't get hot enough or the paper I've used isn't too good. :/

bijomaru · 19 Aug 2012 at 20:41

Used CD permanent marker to trace the missing bits.

Here's the board around 1h in the bath:

1.5h:

and cleaned result:

Few imperfections from where I've used the marker pen, but tested with a multimeter and it works!

Drilling and mounting diodes next ...

In the meantime, cables as being prepared by shakmods:

bijomaru · 8 Sep 2012 at 13:49

Hey. Here's how my back LEDs look. Not sure why yours are all black. Maybe if you assume they are wired in the same order? I am 99% sure they are just the same as front panel.

RED = +
White = RED LED
Blue = BLUE LED
Green = GREEN LED
Brown = Ground

The only difference I just noticed is the extra 6th black wire, but I remember from reading somewhere else that other than that they were the same.

bijomaru · 8 Sep 2012 at 13:50

Oh and in the last week I've received few parts for the mod.

bijomaru · 8 Sep 2012 at 14:57

How did you kn... No, no it isn't

Here's how I plan it to look.

bijomaru · 6 May 2013 at 20:39

Sorry guys. Took a long time indeed to make any progress. This long weekend though have helped a lot though! The case has been sitting painted in parts for some time. I've finally managed to put it back together. Was not easy due to the way the mobo tray went on. Anyway, progress pics.

The LED board is coming along. I have a plan to put this thing and all the wires into a HDD bay and use IDE cables to connect the LEDs. Delayed due to the bay being delivered as damaged. Getting a new one sent tomorrow.

Now, assembling the case (with getting some help from my cousin - he did the painting

Things still to do:
- Front LEDs (delayed due to hdd tray delivered as damaged, which was to hold the PCB and colour dial)
- Red LED inside
- Front door panel to be painted
- Yellow and red stripes on the sides (possibly vinyl on top of lacquer finish)
- 200mm red LED fan to go to the front of the case

I will probably have a little break now of at least a week as I have some guests next weekend, but after that will be getting the case finished. Will work on the LED tray in the meantime.

bijomaru · 16 May 2013 at 09:42

bijomaru · 17 May 2013 at 14:28

Not much I can do about the cabling although I will have another look at routing them when I rebuild it again hopefully this weekend.

The front has something coming to cover the dell logo, and mugen badges are coming on the sides

Look at the concept here

bijomaru · 30 May 2013 at 16:48

Slight delay due to guests visiting me for almost 2 weeks. Will get back to work next weekend

bijomaru · 9 May 2014 at 10:21

Sorry for not updating this for such a long time. Due to various things and events I was only able to return to the project in the recent week. The progress in this case have been very swift, and the build is now almost complete with some tweaks coming over this weekend, and few more updates in the next week or two, depending on receiving ordered parts.

So, here it is.

We've had some nice weather last weekend, so the case has received its lacquer treatment:

The red and yellow vinyl strips went on the side, with the black strip being put on the bottom part, to make it look like a side skirts on a car

I was originally going to put all 3 colours on the side, but it was looking like a Belgium flag and wanted to avoid confusion

Some new components then went in. Upgraded my old Core 2 Duo to AMD FX-8350 on ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard, and some matching red Kingston Hyper-X sticks.

Also used MSi GTX 750Ti Gaming OC Twin Frozr IV 2GB card. It does not require additional power, which works for me as it's less cabling and it's really quiet!

PSU, HDDs, Cooler fans going in (PSU is also being upgraded to BeQuiet Dark Power. Just waiting for delivery).

Back panel and cabling (matching yellow band)

That mess is being sorted this weekend with some additonal braided cables, sleeving and white perspex.

Powered on in daylight:

And in the dark (need to get a proper camera for better quality of the night time shots):

Will post another update after the weekend. Very happy with where I am with the build at the moment, and despite the delay I am still excited about this. Loving how it came out in the end!

bijomaru · 11 May 2014 at 20:37

More things done today. Just DVD bezel, PCI brackets, new PSU (went for Super Flower just ordered from OVerclockers

) and Mugen badges.

Had to cut the power button bracket to fit over the 20cm fan I have fitted, but it worked out ok. Also braided the power button and fan cables.

3rd CPU fan and plexi-glass installed.

It's nearly done!