Project - Skleros......Another Antec Skeleton

Gepetto · 1 Mar 2011 at 23:26

First attempt at a build log, so, here goes.

I've long fancied building a system in an Antec Skeleton, simply because it is different, and I've taken great interest in G-Dubs Skeleton builds, as well as the ones by B1ng and Reu_Voodoo. My build will not be in any way as ambitious as any of these, as it primarily entails repainting the Skeleton to fit with the colour scheme dictated by my existing components.

As I use my system on a pretty much daily basis I'll be stripping and painting the case first, before removing all the components from my X500 and transplanting them. I've never spraypainted anything before, and have read a few excellent articles posted in Case Central on what to do. This is slightly alleviated by the fact that the colour I want should have some natural variation in it, I hope. Still nervous though! :eek:

Anyhow, components:

Core i5 750
Asus "Republic of Gamers" Maximus III Rampage
G Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D (4GB in my current rig, but might expand that to 8GB as OCUK have them in stock again)
PowerColor Radeon HD5850, and another one waiting in the wings for me to try Crossfire for the first time
Corsair HX620, but I have ordered a Corsair AX850, so that might go straight in depending on how much of the colour I can see

And finally, an Antec Skeleton, which wasn't quite as easy to find as I thought, being loath to spend £120 on a new one when I was going to strip it down and possibly bodge it up! I finally got one from the auction site for £70 delivered which was much more palatable. It wasn't boxed but was, at least, all there. I'll start off my pictures with that.

Then I stripped it down, which was really easy, as the whole plastic frame is held together by little screws!

Apologies for the dustiness. I promise I'll clean it before putting it back together!

Finally a picture of the plastic pieces I'm going to paint.

And that's it for now. Lots of rubbing down to ensure a smooth finish, and then out with the plastic undercoat.

Freelanc3r · 2 Mar 2011 at 09:22

Guessing there's going to be a red theme then?

What kind of cooling solution you gonna be using on the CPU?
Looks promising, G-Dubs skeleton really is inspiring.

Gepetto · 2 Mar 2011 at 10:24

Freelanc3r said:
Guessing there's going to be a red theme then? .

What makes you think that?

Yep, all the grey plastic will be a dark red/burgundy colour. I'm not yet sure how it's going to look, as the reds on the MB, RAM, and GPU are all slightly different, so it might look awful. But, hey ho, it can always be changed.

Freelanc3r said:
What kind of cooling solution you gonna be using on the CPU?

Cooling the CPU is something I haven't finalised as yet, because I'm currently using a True Black and it won't fit without cutting the cowling, which I don't really want to do. Chipps101 has kindly provided a Zalman CNPS8700LED and I'm going to try that first. As I can virtually guarantee, although I haven't looked, the Led's in the fan won't be red, so that will be another first for me as I attempt to change that! I'm hoping that the red led's will combine with the copper colour to give me a nice effect.

I'm also considering the GPU cooling, and wouldn't mind trying the Zalman VF3000-A. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-048-ZA&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=787

Although if I go Crossfire, assuming I have the space, I'll need two of them at £35 each which is quite a bit considering I'd only want them for the aesthetics. There's also the aspect of airflow, and having the GPU fans blowing across the MB when the main airflow will be down on to the board. It might be better to stick to the standard reference cooler. For now, at least.

Freelanc3r said:
Looks promising, G-Dubs skeleton really is inspiring.

My favourite Skeleton build has been G Dubs "Cobra Shark's Mouth" build and not his more ambitious watercooled build (which is also awesome) and, indeed, most of the inspiration has come from his builds. He was also very helpful in the run up to this build and some of his posts have been invaluable. :cool:

Gepetto · 2 Mar 2011 at 17:29

First bit of undercoat. Almost decided to change it to white after seeing this.

Mason- · 2 Mar 2011 at 17:31

Love skeleton projects will be keeping an eye on this.

domthecondom · 2 Mar 2011 at 17:57

lets see what will happen

Freelanc3r · 2 Mar 2011 at 21:14

Gepetto said:
What makes you think that?

Yep, all the grey plastic will be a dark red/burgundy colour. I'm not yet sure how it's going to look, as the reds on the MB, RAM, and GPU are all slightly different, so it might look awful. But, hey ho, it can always be changed.

Cooling the CPU is something I haven't finalised as yet, because I'm currently using a True Black and it won't fit without cutting the cowling, which I don't really want to do. Chipps101 has kindly provided a Zalman CNPS8700LED and I'm going to try that first. As I can virtually guarantee, although I haven't looked, the Led's in the fan won't be red, so that will be another first for me as I attempt to change that! I'm hoping that the red led's will combine with the copper colour to give me a nice effect.

Although if I go Crossfire, assuming I have the space, I'll need two of them at £35 each which is quite a bit considering I'd only want them for the aesthetics. There's also the aspect of airflow, and having the GPU fans blowing across the MB when the main airflow will be down on to the board. It might be better to stick to the standard reference cooler. For now, at least.

It's antec, the LED's won't be blue, sorry mate

I'd stick to the reference cooler for now, I'm not sure if that cooler would make that much of a difference in temps, plus it'd void the warranty, so might not be worth the effort/money.

Gonna keep an eye on this, seems like it's going to be real treat!

Gepetto · 3 Mar 2011 at 09:39

The reference coolers are red & black so, yes I think I'll stick with them as there's no real reason to change, although it might be worthwhile considering vinyl to add detail. Some of the work I'm seeing with the carbonfibre look has been awesome, and that would still fit with the red/black theme. I'm thinking of doing the PSU the same as w3bbo's in "Fallen Angel", as the transformation (from the white) was incredible.

Here's another couple of undercoated bits, and I must dig out that cooler to look at how to change the LED's! Gulp! :eek:

Gepetto · 4 Mar 2011 at 11:15

I really like seeing the boxes of components laid out, so I thought I'd do the same.

I know, I know....they are pretty much out of date now, as I never, ever, thought that S1156 would be so short lived! My i5 gives me all the performance I need for now though, and, as I can't afford to just go out and buy Sandybridge at the moment, it'll have to do.

Gepetto · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:24

First bits.

King Damager · 7 Mar 2011 at 18:18

I wonder what the colour scheme is going to be xD

Looks pretty good

kd

Gepetto · 8 Mar 2011 at 15:11

Thanks KD. :cool:

Now that some more bits are painted I'm needing to consider pulling my PC to bits, but I'll get the Skeleton back together first.

Final painted pieces.

Coldzero · 8 Mar 2011 at 15:42

Nice! Really like that red colour.

zootfloot · 8 Mar 2011 at 15:44

Coldzero said:
Nice! Really like that red colour.

Same...what paint are you using Gepetto?

Cookeh · 8 Mar 2011 at 19:19

That's a really deep and awesome colour.

Same question asked by Zootfloot, OP!

Gepetto · 8 Mar 2011 at 21:46

Thanks guys! :cool:

I really like the way it's turned out. It's not completely uniform and has subtle shades, down to the fact I used very light coats and went over each piece several times.

It's a Halford's car touch up spray can, and the colour is Rover Nightfire Red.

I just went into Halfords, looked at what was available, and that was the one I liked. Whether or not the colour will work with my components remains to be seen. I also used the Halfords Plastic primer which is available in grey or white. I used the white, and I also bought the glasspaper and paint preparation wipes from them.

domthecondom · 8 Mar 2011 at 23:23

I quite liked the white

the red is also nice

, Not a skeleton fan but see what you do

ReU_VOoDOo · 9 Mar 2011 at 15:33

Looking great so far. I always wondered what the skeleton would look like in storm trooper white, thanks for the visuals. Thanks for the rep as well! Love that deep red color you got going, can't wait to see it finished!

G-Dubs · 9 Mar 2011 at 17:03

Great to see another Skelly build

Love the colour and great paint work

In case you were wondering what a Skelly looks like in white

Seeing all these skelly mods makes me want to do another.
(Sharksmouth is going up for sale if anyones interrested, need to fund future projects)

terminator2k2 · 10 Mar 2011 at 15:40

been following this....very nice so far, but cmon lets have some more pics......