Project : Primo Midas
- Thread starter colinmcr
- Start date
Nae worries doyll, the window panel sits in that small recess (Red in pic), to the front (4mm wide). Clearance between the window panel recess and rad (Yellow).
Ah yes. I was half asleep when I asked. 
So if you cut optical side panel on red lines in image (black being radiator).. only taking what is needed to clear radiator (and fans if needed) only about 5-6mm of on rear facing part of 'C' panel channel needs to be removed? Hopefully that would leave enough to keep structural integrity. Might be able to find some angle metal or square tubing that would fit inside to the channel between radiator and outside of 'C' to reinforce it?
So if you cut optical side panel on red lines in image (black being radiator).. only taking what is needed to clear radiator (and fans if needed) only about 5-6mm of on rear facing part of 'C' panel channel needs to be removed? Hopefully that would leave enough to keep structural integrity. Might be able to find some angle metal or square tubing that would fit inside to the channel between radiator and outside of 'C' to reinforce it?
I have a slightly different idea to try first, see my pic couple posts up. Now if you look at the "Bay Panel" the folded seam (image I marked with red) is what makes the panel sit deeper into the area where you want the rad to go. My theory is that if I cut out the folded seam it would then allow you to manipulate the panel to "tuck in" between the rad and the channel that holds the side window panel on. Then you only have the thickness of the "Bay Panel" sheeting which isn't very thick.
Although this panel also has a fold at the bottom where is secured by screws when the case is upside down. This would probably have to be cut or trimmed to allow it cto fit flusher with the side panel recess.
I will see if i can get a better photo to show you what I mean.
Also as far as rigidity is concerned for the optical bays, now if you extended the cut that you have marked all the way up to just under the two screws which attach to the optical bay frame it would be fairly rigid still, plus you get to see the rad and fans in all their glory.
Oh and here's what the postie brought today....
Golden !
Nils also sent some sample colours
Although this panel also has a fold at the bottom where is secured by screws when the case is upside down. This would probably have to be cut or trimmed to allow it cto fit flusher with the side panel recess.
I will see if i can get a better photo to show you what I mean.
Also as far as rigidity is concerned for the optical bays, now if you extended the cut that you have marked all the way up to just under the two screws which attach to the optical bay frame it would be fairly rigid still, plus you get to see the rad and fans in all their glory.
Oh and here's what the postie brought today....
Golden !
Nils also sent some sample colours
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I think I understand what you are saying. Move the bottom of "BayPanel" (optical panel you removed to fit radiator in) out toward the side panel at bottom? But won't that result in the panel being crocked?.. Angling out from where it's attached at bottom of optical bays? Closer to side of case at bottom of case than at bottom of optical bays?
Yep, I thought of that, you would have to put two bends in the panel, the upper bend would move it closer to the edge the the lower bed would bring it flush again. Thing is you effectively make the panel shorter by bending it. However the fold at the bottom of the panel the "feet" if you like, could be bent back through 90 degs giving you the height back and then the original holes could be used to put a screw in through to secure.
Things is it now starting to sound complicated when just chopping the panel in half would be far quicker and simpler.
Bends
Here's a close up, took the panel outside to get better images with my dslr.
Things is it now starting to sound complicated when just chopping the panel in half would be far quicker and simpler.
Bends
Here's a close up, took the panel outside to get better images with my dslr.
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Indeed.
How much support does the panel add to the case? Maybe cut it off and replace it with a square 'pillar/post' secured with a screw up inside from bottom and glue/screw it inside the 'C' channel on what is left up top... a piece of aluminium angle up the outside of corner of 'C' channel.. could paint it to match, accent color, cover with carbon fiber vinyl, etc.
Gotta run. Nice brainstorming with you.
How much support does the panel add to the case? Maybe cut it off and replace it with a square 'pillar/post' secured with a screw up inside from bottom and glue/screw it inside the 'C' channel on what is left up top... a piece of aluminium angle up the outside of corner of 'C' channel.. could paint it to match, accent color, cover with carbon fiber vinyl, etc.
Gotta run. Nice brainstorming with you.
I have some lovely carbon fibre vinyl to show you, I already had that in my head. Great minds think alike
Here is some pics I did just to get a feel for looks, cpu and memory installed to motherboard. Mock placed the cpu waterblock and monsoon fittings.
Here is some pics I did just to get a feel for looks, cpu and memory installed to motherboard. Mock placed the cpu waterblock and monsoon fittings.
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*UPDATE*
Well good news and some not so good.
First the good news is my SP120's finally arrived, so mocked them up to the rad for the bottom so I could get on with hacking up the optical bay side panel. Think it went ok, will have to get some U channel rubber to line the bottom edge with to avoid metal on metal contact with the rad. I decided in the end just to chop 70mm form the bottom, although it was maybe to generous with that but the U-Channel rubber should make up the slight gap, if not I'll shim the underside of the rad. Anyway have a look.... BTW I removed the Phantek nameplate, couldn't bear to destroy it
I even fitted the window panel on just in case any of you ask....
Top down view, nice reflection !
So I think it looks quite nice, there is a little bit of tension or squeeze when you screw the panel back onto the bracket for the optical bay. Might not be an issue will see in time.
Ok so the bad news....tried my hand at the old sleeving. Classic mistake not planning ahead. Yellow sleeve on black wire changes the colour horribly. Not the yellow I want. I carried on regardless and did my whole psu 24pin connector which has two separate ends at the psu and multiple wires in some holes. Needless to say there was a lot of swearing, burnt fingers and a horrible looking job at the end of it. An extension would have be so much simpler. Don't ask for a pic, just imagine putrid yellow, instead of sunshine golden ! Even under proper tension the black still made the colour less vibrant.
I need to slow it down maybe and take more time, even though I spent the best part of 6 hours trying it. Live and learn anyway...
Well good news and some not so good.
First the good news is my SP120's finally arrived, so mocked them up to the rad for the bottom so I could get on with hacking up the optical bay side panel. Think it went ok, will have to get some U channel rubber to line the bottom edge with to avoid metal on metal contact with the rad. I decided in the end just to chop 70mm form the bottom, although it was maybe to generous with that but the U-Channel rubber should make up the slight gap, if not I'll shim the underside of the rad. Anyway have a look.... BTW I removed the Phantek nameplate, couldn't bear to destroy it
I even fitted the window panel on just in case any of you ask....
Top down view, nice reflection !
So I think it looks quite nice, there is a little bit of tension or squeeze when you screw the panel back onto the bracket for the optical bay. Might not be an issue will see in time.
Ok so the bad news....tried my hand at the old sleeving. Classic mistake not planning ahead. Yellow sleeve on black wire changes the colour horribly. Not the yellow I want. I carried on regardless and did my whole psu 24pin connector which has two separate ends at the psu and multiple wires in some holes. Needless to say there was a lot of swearing, burnt fingers and a horrible looking job at the end of it. An extension would have be so much simpler. Don't ask for a pic, just imagine putrid yellow, instead of sunshine golden ! Even under proper tension the black still made the colour less vibrant.
I need to slow it down maybe and take more time, even though I spent the best part of 6 hours trying it. Live and learn anyway...
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Soldato
pop the sleeve to me bud, il re do it, but using white cable instead, it will make it look 100% better, pop me an email and il send you my address.
Dave thanks mate I think I'll be dropping you that email ! You must be mad, its so time consuming.
*UPDATE*
Missed delivery of my gpu waterblocks today by like 5 mins according to the card the driver left, I was gutted.
Guys just been trying some spray painting (the SP120 coloured rings) today but the yellow I've been trying is too pale, so in search of something far brighter. I've also been doing this to the internals of the case and wondered what you guys thought?
In case you are wondering it's 2D Black/Gold carbon vinyl wrap.
I'm not planning using lots of it, will see how it looks. Thankfully its easily removed, I was also planning using it on the vertical cover that hides all the cable gromits and also to the optical bay side panel.
With regards to the optical bay side panel, I'm seriously considering chopping it more, up to just under the screws which support the optical cage. That way you see the whole rad and fans.
Missed delivery of my gpu waterblocks today by like 5 mins according to the card the driver left, I was gutted.
Guys just been trying some spray painting (the SP120 coloured rings) today but the yellow I've been trying is too pale, so in search of something far brighter. I've also been doing this to the internals of the case and wondered what you guys thought?
In case you are wondering it's 2D Black/Gold carbon vinyl wrap.
I'm not planning using lots of it, will see how it looks. Thankfully its easily removed, I was also planning using it on the vertical cover that hides all the cable gromits and also to the optical bay side panel.
With regards to the optical bay side panel, I'm seriously considering chopping it more, up to just under the screws which support the optical cage. That way you see the whole rad and fans.
Associate
Black/Gold Carbon looks fantastic 
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2013
- Posts
- 8,598
Looks nice, wouldn't cover the whole thing with it though!
Black/Gold Carbon looks fantastic
It does doesn't it
Yeah Ben, I don't want to over do it. But if I and you guys (because I value you're comments) don't like it or think its too much, then its easily removed. The other thing is once the bottom rad is in place it hides a lot of that carbon lower section.
Ok so saying that, how's it look now? Think I need to get the motherboard in their for you guys to get a feel for it, what you reckon?
Just because I said I would here is the motherboard in situ....
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Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Feb 2012
- Posts
- 4,409
Surprised you didnt go with bitfenix black and gold extensions tbh but i guess that could be cheating.
Looking good so far, Im not convinced by that black and gold "carbon" though, looks tacky.
Also have you looked at trying gold spray paint?
Looking good so far, Im not convinced by that black and gold "carbon" though, looks tacky.
Also have you looked at trying gold spray paint?