Mastercase Pro 3.5 - Full size ATX Mobo into a M-ATX case

[cobalt6700]

Hi OCUK,


I'm not sure if this quite a build log, but I wanted to share my progress with my latest build. I know I like my context when sharing a build, so I'll do my best to not go waffling on.

This has been going since Oct 2017 when I decided, after much thinking, that I wanted to build a smaller PC. At the time I had been involved with strike action at work, so money was a bit tight. I couldnt afford to build a entriely new rig, so made the decision to re-house my current setup and bought a Mastercase Pro 3 to see if I could make it work.


I started a new job shortly after that, and finding free time to do the build became a bit harder, so progress slowed. I chipped away at the mod, and after a number of external things holding me up (disadvantages of doing things on the cheap sometimes) I finally managed to get it 90% built ready for my event AtomLAN 41 in August this year. I then moved into my first house, etc, and this is where we are today (Still sorting out that free time

)


Parts:


CPU: 4790K

Mobo: Asus Z97-Pro WiFi ac

RAM: Corsair Vengence Pro 16GB

GPU: 980ti Hydrocopper

SSD: Crucial M4 256gb

HDD: WD black 1TB, WD Green 3TB

PSU: Focus Plus Gold 750w

Cable + Connectors: Pexon PC's

Sleeve: Telios


Cooling:


CPU EK Supremacy EVO

Pump: EK-XRES 100 D5

Rads: EK 280 XTC, Blackice GTS 240

Controller: Commander Pro

Fans: Areocool Dead Silence 120/140 Blue

Temp Sensor: Aquacomputer G1/4 straight through, Alphacool Eiszapfen G1/4 plug


To start, I got home to the new case, ripped it out of the case and got some cardboard out to see what was happening. I had already bought a second hand EK rad to go with the Blackice I had from my old LANBOY build. Now that has been around quite a while. Still not much better at taking photos

A quick look at the new Pro 3 vs the current TJ-07







I grabbed some cardboard and started brainstorming





I wanted to get a feel for what I wanted to do, so hooked up the fans and spent more time thinking about it. One thing I did know - those blue LED's would have to change.





I ordered some diffused white LED's and got to replacing all of the LED's on the fans.





Getting there





Apparently the 120 and 140 Areocool DS's are made differently. The LED's are placed facing different ways which gives a different effect between fans. Not a major thing, just having them next to each other they look a bit odd. The white LED's I used are the same brightness.


Before/After





Full Set





Whilst this was happening I had drawn up a few parts on the PC, from my CAD (Cardboard Aided Design) and the parts I had that were not in use in my PC, including a D5 EK pump/res that I had bought in anticipation (thanks to el2k) .





The first parts came back from the laser and went onto the case to test for fit.








The PSU bracket was one of the things I had worked out I would need fairly early on in the CAD process, as I needed to move the PSU over ~10mm.





Pump/Res to Rad mount





A while later, a second (or third) hand GPU from another BT member (thanks keenan) had arrived, so I took the opportunity to partially strip my rig to test fit some of the parts in the case











Throwing the Mobo and GPU in the case proved it was going to work, with only a couple of tight places.








Mobo to HDD cage clearance





Mobo to PSU clearance





HDD to pin header was always going to be close, and I had had the idea of 90deg headers, which also looked like they were good to go

I put the old rig back together and got back to the CAD

I had already decided that I liked the hex mesh on the case and had made the pump/res mount and Mobo tray passthroughs to suit. With the midplate back in and the Mobo now properly bent to suit, I thought it would look cool to have the Mobo sort of punch through the midplate.





I got back to the PC, and spent quite a while thinking about what I wanted to do. Hexagons did become a bit of a thing - I do have a fondness for polygons. After a lot of head scratching, this is what I had. Mobo Tray, Midplate, Front panel and there is a new bracket for the PSU as I gave it another 2mm clearance (12mm total)





and some acrylic parts to match, including a new swirl plate for the D5 res





I also wanted to give hex cable combs a go - so drew a few up to see how they would come out





With those files at various different friends for cutting, I turned to sorting the case out to fit the PSU. A larger hole was cut and I modified a hole punch to pull a boss in the sheet metal to allow it to take a thread.





The holes came out well, only needing a touch up of paint on the metal that had been stretched

 

[cobalt6700]

The Mobo tray came back from laser cutting, so I went for a test fit with my old trusty socket A test board





Not looking to bad





Midplate in





I made a few changes to the rev 1 Mobo tray and had another cut. After getting that back it was time to get some primer and paint on





Mobo tray finally fitted with rivets to the main chassis





Really happy with how the steel/acrylic interface came out








Trusty old socket A back in





It was at this point that the project stopped for a bit whilst I sorted my life out. I also managed to buy a new PSU, but I didn't do very well with taking pictures. Things get a little less well documented from here on in.


I had a pile of wiring, paint, LED strips, and other assorted bits ready to go. I made plans and ordered a load of bits ready to have my PC off for a while. Then it was time to pull the TJ-07 apart and get the new build sorted.








I then started on some wiring while the other painted parts were drying








With the painted parts then dry and fitted, I carried on with the job of the wiring over a few evenings








My fittings and tubing had arrived in the post, so it was time to mock up the loop

















I wasn't that happy with the loop layout, so had a think and decided the flow meter had to move and a 45 was needed to the GPU





Some more wiring happened for the GPU's








Fittings for the new loop design





Midplate back in





Made a LED loom for the CPU block with white LED's





WS2812 LED Strip for the midplate





Sub assemblies ready to go together





Pressure testing using a G1/4" Transducer I had in the bits box





Filling the loop and getting some colour in. I 100% didn't think about not being able to see the swirl plate through pastel coolant

A quick shot of the back





While sat on leak test it was time to dismantle and clean the TJ-07 to go into storage








And by that time it was AtomLAN. I set it up 2 nights before to do updates and make sure it was ready for LAN.








Got to AtomLAN safely for it's first outing








The LAN was great. A good friend of mine and co-founder of AtomLAN, Jimbo, has a very decent DSLR and offered to take some pictures. This represents pretty much where I have got to with the build.




















I do have a few other bits planned, for example a 3D printed base for the flow meter, and a desk info screen.


Hoping to be updating soon with progress on those.


Until then, thanks for taking the time to read

 

[cobalt6700]

Impressive.

Nice

Impressive build

Thank you all very much

Very impressive build, don't need a ££££ budget or a ton of sponsors to make an awesome looking PC

Really appreciate the comment. Think the whole re-case cost me around £450(Case, PSU, Rads, Pump, Fans, Controller, Mods, FIttings) which is enough, but for a mod I think that's quite reasonable.

Nice and clean but with your skills, why didnt you go for hard tubing as it would look awesome

Thanks Mcthommo - I had an idea for hard tubing at the start of this mod, but I haven't managed to get it to work yet.

I really like the look of flexi tubing - but the fittings and clamps always looked a bit pants. I have seen some nice setups with oversized fittings to hold the tubing on, but I decided to try and make flexi as clean as possible with barbs

 

[cobalt6700]

WOW! GREAT job! Very professional looking result.

I'm currently waiting on an ATX case to do the opposite of you with the intention of getting an ATX sized mobo again, the one I have is no good for overclocking.

Thanks very much UkayJ. Yeah staying full ATX size does leave you with better options

Wow, love some of the work on this. Especially the custom plates. Hexagons are a big thing for me too

May I ask where you get the laser cutting done? I have a CO2 laser for plastic and wood, bit can't do metal!

Some really creative work around the cable guides etc.

Cheers LuckyBenski. Just something about polygons that is cool.

The metal laser works are from my little brother - he has a fabrication business. The plastic parts are from a mate who just happens to have a laser.

Thanks - I'm quite happy with how that all came out for a first go at proper cable sleeving

 

[cobalt6700]

No warnings required - borrow away!

 

[cobalt6700]

SOrry for the late replys - life has been a bit mental.

Now that's bang tidy.

And I'm very jealous of you having a little brother with a metal laser, so many things I need to do and redo and I can barely draw a straight line these days, let alone cut one!

What are his rates like?

Taanks very much LePhuronn.

Yeah it's handy indeed - we all help eachother out with our relevent skills.

Rates wise - I will have to find out. I basically only pay materials, so I don't have a good enough handle to give you a ball park. I can say he is well priced compared to others in the industry. He has just installed a new laser and is working through a backlog - would be happy to ask for a quote, are you ok with CAD to produce a drawing?

+1 for this enquiry, would love to know.

LuckyBenski, Happy to set you up with a quote too.

What a build, its like a work of art. lots of work gone into that! I especially like the hexagon cable holder things! very cool.

Thanks Beankp60, I wasn't at all sure how they were going to come out - but I'm really happy with them. A mate of mine 3D printed one (I missed that bit in the log) and I thought if a 3D printer can do it that thin, the laser had a good chance.

 

[cobalt6700]

Mini update,

I've been working on some CAD for the info display, an update on that in the new year. Unfortunetly the 3D printer is mis-behaving, once I've got that sorted I'm excited to start printing some parts.

New 970 EVO turned up yesterday. Fitted it with an AquaComputer kryoM2 to hopefully keep it cool.



Almost like someone measured it :lol:

I love the honeycomb design you have gone with. The build log and the work you have put in is impressive.

Thank's Distracted, I'm really happy with how the hex design turned out

I don't have anything I need doing right now, but I can always send him the DXF for Asteria II's new internals I had cut a couple years ago and see what he makes of it.

Happy to facilitate that if you would like a quote - though it maybe better to quote when you are ready to cut new parts

Have a great Christmas all :thumb: