New project idea.. this is going to take some work!

snaggster · 23 Jun 2010 at 18:40

Hi guys. I was starting to think about my next build the other day, and decided that it was going to be a full tower. It would also include water cooling! And be ready for 2011 (socket and year!) as i upgrade every 2 years.
After looking though loads of project logs, mostly tj07's and 800d's, i decided i wanted some thing alittle different..

What do you guys think? It will be totaly de-Dell'd!! Powdercoated black inside and out, and house a 120.3 in the roof. And also have some kind of fancy window.

Though to be honest this is going to be the bigest problem

Look what was inside it :eek:

!!! BTX!!!!

Coldzero · 23 Jun 2010 at 18:58

Interesting idea, should look good if you can pull it off.

Frozennova · 23 Jun 2010 at 19:09

Will be a nice build, can you get an ATX mobocracy tray from loan li or silverstone and mount that in there. For a dell that's a really nice looking case, I'm assuming it's from an XPS machine. Also looks like there's plenty of room for everything aswell

ChrisGreen1993 · 23 Jun 2010 at 19:10

Nice idea, the grill on the front looks cool, could do something with that?

Evil^ · 23 Jun 2010 at 19:11

I've always liked the look of these cases tbh I think it would look good if you manage it

snaggster · 23 Jun 2010 at 19:14

frozennova said:
Will be a nice build, can you get an ATX mobocracy tray from loan li or silverstone and mount that in there. For a dell that's a really nice looking case, I'm assuming it's from an XPS machine. Also looks like there's plenty of room for everything aswell

Yes its the xps 710. Been looking around and found that lian li do spare mobo trays for there p60, so going to order one. The case is huge and because its very thick 4mm alloy it weighs quite abit.

snaggster · 23 Jun 2010 at 19:16

ChrisGreen1993 said:
Nice idea, the grill on the front looks cool, could do something with that?

I'm going to try and keep the grill stock looking. Just remove the Dell tags. I'm also going to keep the led lighting around the grill.

MouthBoy · 23 Jun 2010 at 21:05

Heh I know that my uni have about 20 machines that have this case that they might be chucking soon, I might just have to slip someone a tenner and grab one!

I need to mod my old PC-65 first though

Jay85 · 23 Jun 2010 at 22:25

I've always liked the look of XPS cases, think they have that starship effect to them. I love that glossy white colour of that case. Are you going to keep the colour or change everything to gloss black?

Gepetto · 23 Jun 2010 at 22:46

I really don't know why, but as soon as I saw that case I thought "Star Wars".

I look forward to seeing what you do with it. :cool:

Jay85 · 23 Jun 2010 at 23:05

Gepetto said:
I really don't know why, but as soon as I saw that case I thought "Star Wars".

I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

My thoughts exactly except more star trekky... just reminds me of the center section of the enterprise lol.

Tiamat21 · 23 Jun 2010 at 23:56

that is one ****ed up BTX mobo.
Even looks wrong.

bJN · 24 Jun 2010 at 00:48

smeaney said:
Heh I know that my uni have about 20 machines that have this case that they might be chucking soon, I might just have to slip someone a tenner and grab one! I need to mod my old PC-65 first though

If I were you I'd throw several tenners at them, those cases fetch quite a bit on the bay

~>Dg<~ · 24 Jun 2010 at 08:49

looked at these cases myself now and again and thought about modding one along with a g5 case. just got myself a big old antec server case with window for 9 quid on ebay thats first

coolamasta · 24 Jun 2010 at 10:08

They are funky cases and would be nice to do a custom build with, dremel time??

snaggster · 24 Jun 2010 at 10:14

Jay85 said:
I've always liked the look of XPS cases, think they have that starship effect to them. I love that glossy white colour of that case. Are you going to keep the colour or change everything to gloss black?

It's actually a dull silver colour, I was thinking of going satin black. Though I think I will get the modding done and lighting then decide.

misterPK · 24 Jun 2010 at 12:37

For a Dell that's quite a funky looking case, makes me think of some kind of futuristic jet engine. I like the stealthed drive bays, but four of them is a bit excessive, unless you can also hide a fan controller (or just a fan!) behind them.

It does look a bit tight on space inside there though, I'll be watching this with interest too.

PK!

snaggster · 24 Jun 2010 at 14:22

misterPK said:
For a Dell that's quite a funky looking case, makes me think of some kind of futuristic jet engine. I like the stealthed drive bays, but four of them is a bit excessive, unless you can also hide a fan controller (or just a fan!) behind them.

It does look a bit tight on space inside there though, I'll be watching this with interest too.

PK!

Its massive inside... Just looks cramped due to all the rubish i left in there. The big plastic thing with xps on it, is the cpu cooler. it even has a delta fan! Though it wont be used.
I will get some better shots hopefully this weekend if i get chance to start cutting.

Exsurgo · 24 Jun 2010 at 14:48

Got one of them sitting in my attic, im not brave enough to start a mod myself, but if yours goes well... who knows.
Still my favourite looking case of all time, especially when it powers up and you can choose the LED colour.
I think a few people have posted succesfull modding blogs of these cases before, good for a bit of extra information.

G-Dubs · 24 Jun 2010 at 20:37

smeaney said:
Heh I know that my uni have about 20 machines that have this case that they might be chucking soon, I might just have to slip someone a tenner and grab one! I need to mod my old PC-65 first though

Been after one of these cases for a little while, any chance that when £10 is thrown that way you could see your way to sorting me one?