DIY or Buy?

Bonehunter · 8 Dec 2012 at 15:14

Hi Guys,

Have been updating my PC of late with fresh MB, Processor, Memory etc. I have a Coolermaster Cosmos S case which is getting a bit old now and a bit scratched and whatnot.

I like messing around with my PC and have been considering building up over the next year some kind of custom built case, like you see on some of the galleries. Something that has the wow factor, clear side - lit up with no cables showing and water cooling etc.

Never done anything like that before, but I am quite handy with my PC - built it up from scratch myself. Wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I picks things up quickly.

My questions is, do you think it's best to buy one of the watercooled case bundles or do it myself? The choice of watercooled cases (OC bundles) seems quite limited, but they do look like they do a great job with them.

Any advice on what is the best way forward?

Eventually I want the whole system looking amazing, like I said lit up, cables braided and not showing at all if possible. Thanks

whyscotty · 8 Dec 2012 at 15:57

DIY as you get more satisfaction knowing its your own work

Mr. May · 8 Dec 2012 at 16:20

whyscotty said:
DIY as you get more satisfaction knowing its your own work

+ cheaper

wissel · 8 Dec 2012 at 17:16

Also if your happy to mod a case anyway your choices are not so limited.

Def DIY for me.

Bonehunter · 11 Dec 2012 at 12:28

Bit worried about doing it tho lol........very scary stuff

OptimaLnrg · 11 Dec 2012 at 13:15

im confused.

are you asking if you should do the watercooling yourself, or build a case by yourself?

1st option Id say is the only way to do it (how can someone else do you watercooling? its crazy imo)
2nd sounds like a disaster waiting to happen! unless you have cad/construction experience etc

Bluntwrapped · 11 Dec 2012 at 13:53

You could always mod the Cosmos S to be more pleasing to the eye? It's a superb case and has loads of room on the inside. When it comes to connecting everything up it's a pleasure to work with. The only downside is cable management is lacking. Saying that, you can drill and cut your own holes to help tidy everything up.

I removed all the grey sections in mine. Handles, plastic skirting and the flaps from the front and sprayed them all black. I sprayed the inside black too.

With the bottom front fan bracket removed I was able to fit a 240mm in the drive bays with space left over for a BD-RW drive, fan controller and LCD for water temp. I also put a 360mm rad in the top and a 120mm rad on the back. All of these have PUSH/PULL fans.

I replaced the side panel with the pre-fitted window panel Coolermaster sell separately.

Apologies for the quality and how dark these photo's are but here's mine taken with the light off.

cs2000 · 11 Dec 2012 at 13:56

Id say DIY too, however if its your first time, maybe youre better getting a kit. I have specc'd up DIY kits for myself before but i also bought a kit as id never assembled a full system before and wanted no hiccups the first time round. Maybe DIY next time.

Bonehunter · 17 Dec 2012 at 15:55

I was thinking more about doing something wacky, like maybe building something like a PC desk where all the components are on the inside with a glass top?

I have never done anything like that before - but I'm fairly handy at normal DIY and I have built all my PC's myself.

It's a toss up between that or just modding my existaing case. And regarding the water cooling - I did mean is it best to do your own or buy one of the cases with watercooling pre-installed.

I have gone from that idea to the desk idea lol - not much of a jump is it??? haha. Dunno where I would start to look for the desk itself though.......where do you find a desk with a hollow glass interior?>

Bonehunter · 17 Dec 2012 at 15:59

Bluntwrapped said:
You could always mod the Cosmos S to be more pleasing to the eye? It's a superb case and has loads of room on the inside. When it comes to connecting everything up it's a pleasure to work with. The only downside is cable management is lacking. Saying that, you can drill and cut your own holes to help tidy everything up.

I removed all the grey sections in mine. Handles, plastic skirting and the flaps from the front and sprayed them all black. I sprayed the inside black too.

With the bottom front fan bracket removed I was able to fit a 240mm in the drive bays with space left over for a BD-RW drive, fan controller and LCD for water temp. I also put a 360mm rad in the top and a 120mm rad on the back. All of these have PUSH/PULL fans.

I replaced the side panel with the pre-fitted window panel Coolermaster sell separately.

Apologies for the quality and how dark these photo's are but here's mine taken with the light off.

I'm at work now so can't see the photo's, but will have a look when I get home....might be worth having a go with my existing case first to see how i get in with it. Regarding the spraying, the one thing I would like to do is have all the interior black - but a lot of my components are not black, such as the motherboard. Can you spray a motherboard? I wouldn't have thought that possible but you do see pictures of modded cases where everything is the same colour inside.....