Project XOSKEL [D-Frame Mini Build]

Alec**

Alec**

Alec**

Associate
Joined
18 Feb 2010
Posts
41
Location
Surrey, UK
Header.jpg


Sponsered_By.jpg


Hey all,

So it's about time for a new build! And I've decided to push the boundaries a little bit for this case mod, and go for something more 'outside the box'.

I went on a hunt for a case that was a little bit more unusual, something slightly different from the standard six-sided box (as much as a like my old TJ07). I was also after something a little smaller, for ease of portability. But above anything else, a case that looks fantastic, and has great modding potential.

So here it is then, the In Win D-Frame Mini. I saw this at a tech show a few months back and was instantly taken by its unique tubular design juxtaposed with tempered glass sides. More so, watercooling this (currently) Mini-ITX case seemed an achievable task, and instantly had a few mods in mind.

018_B3523.jpg


The tempered glass sides add a touch of class, juxtaposing the tubular frame really nicely.

018_B3527.jpg


I'm really impressed with the overall build quality on this case, particularly the precision machined motherboard tray - I've never seen a mobo tray so thick!

018_B3532.jpg


Front I/O ports and switches couldn't be much more accessible.

018_B3542.jpg


Without the glass, the case is fully exposed. Hard drive trays and a 240mm radiator mounting bracket are now on show (not that either are staying for long!)

018_B3550.jpg


The handle is really well positioned, and makes moving this lightweight case a piece of cake.

018_B3565.jpg


There's no end of perspectives in here!

018_B3533.jpg


Probably the easiest 'mod' of the build - swapping out those stock red feet with some black ones - looking stealthy!

018_B3583.jpg


Thanks to In Win for sorting this D-Frame Mini out!

I’m taking this build on alongside MikeMK, and we've got a series of interesting mods lined up for it:

• Fitting an mATX Motherboard into this Mini-ITX tower
• Mounting a 360mm radiator instead of a 240mm
• Full hardline watercooling loop

Having often opted for the blue colour scheme in builds, I wanted to mix it up a little bit. As you may have guessed by the project logo, we're going Turquoise. There's a fair amount of cable braiding, motherboard painting, and coolant mixing ahead of us!

The nature of this open air chassis means noise is an important factor, which is why I’m really excited to have Be Quiet! On side for the build, thanks to the guys over there for providing the new Dark Power Pro 11 850W PSU and three Silent Wings 2 120mm fans for the radiator.

018_B3575.jpg


I'm really impressed with the look and feel of the Dark Power Pro, a very sleek finish which deserves to be on show! After reading the raving reviews, I was keen to get this in the build.

018_B3591.jpg


I've heard great things about these Silent Wings, 50.5cfm at 16.5dB speaks for itself (or should i say whispers!)

018_B3578.jpg


Thanks again Be Quiet! will look at these products in a little more detail when I get them running!

Finally, the motherboard. The ASRock Fatal1ty ticks all boxes. Except the colour. The red won't be staying.

018_B3599.jpg


Here's the spec low-down (for now):

Hardware:
CPU: Intel I7 5820K
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty X99
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 2666Mhz
GPU: MSI Radeon R9 290X
Sound Card: TBC
SSD: TBC
PSU: Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 11 850W

Watercooling
CPU Block: TBC
GPU Blocks: TBC
Radiators: TBC
Tubing & Fittings: TBC
Reservoir: TBC

(Still some work to do on the WC setup!).

I'm expecting this project to be ongoing for the next month or two, kicking off with the mATX mod and a bit of braiding.

That's it for now, stay tuned!
 
I've got a soft spot for these cases and quite fancy a build in one myself, looking forward to seeing this progress. Nice photo's too.
 
I like the case and it looks like it will be a great build. I wasn't too impressed with my Inwin case, it lacked so many features that I didn't know I needed at the time I bought it.
 
So a little update then, first off a few new components!

First off, i7 5820K alongside Corsair Vengeance 16GB 2666MHz DDR4...

Update_2_3_2.jpg


Update_2_4_2.jpg


I've been itching to try out one of these, Samsung SM951 256GB M.2 PCI-e SSD - it's tiny!

Update_2_1_2.jpg


Update_2_2_2.jpg


The first of the Monsoon watercooling gear's arrived...

Update_2_5_2.jpg


Update_2_6_2.jpg


So here's the general gist of the layout for the case...

Update_2_2.jpg


Here's a little idea on that lovely turquoise I'm colour matching off, a little bit of braid...

Update_2_1.jpg


Time for the first mod! So from first glance at this case, I knew I wanted to get a 360mm rad fitted. The XSPC EX360 is slimline, but it has to be in order to squeeze that GPU in above. In order to get it in, however, a slot had to be cut in the PSU cage.

Update_2_3.jpg


About 3 mins of jigsaw, and 3 hours of filing later...

Update_2_4.jpg


And with the radiator in place...

Update_2_5.jpg


Update_2_6.jpg


Need to work out the best mounting solution for the rad, a couple of custom brackets are in need I think. Another job for this week is getting the mATX motherboard fitted and cabling holes cut so I know what length the PSU cables need to be for braiding - much fun!
 
colinmcr said:
Great pics you've taken, look forward to this.
Click to expand...

Cheers colinmcr!

flix29 said:
Looks very interesting.
I think this Inwin cases are pretty cool.

"The red won't be staying."

Will you paint it or use some vinyl decals?
Click to expand...

Painting seems to be the way forward on the motherboard, black spray paint on the PCI slots etc. and some colour-matched turquoise paint on the heatsinks (planning to use some MTN 94).

FL630 said:
D-Frames are awesome cases. Shame they're so expensive, I'd love to build in one. Keeping an eye on this!
Click to expand...

Yeah it is something else, makes a change from the standard box cases at least! Thanks :)

Brian18741 said:
Well this should be good, looking forward to seeing more!
Click to expand...

Thanks Brian!

On the cusp of getting the motherboard mounted, awaiting delivery of a new taper. Planning also to get the cabling holes in the mobo tray cut end of this weekend / beginning of next week. Then it's on to braiding and painting!
 
It's about time for an update! Sorry for the radio silence, metalwork seems to be taking much longer than I'd hoped! All the metalwork as seen below completed by use of a jigsaw, and many hours of filing...

So first job was coming up with a secure mount for the radiator. Seeing as it sits in the PSU cage, thought I'd make use of the mount and cover up the surrounding gap.

image.jpg


I'm pretty happy with this bracket, looks pretty clean and does a good job in holding the rad in place.

image.jpg


Some kind of fixing was also required at the front, and after many hours of pondering, here's how I went about it.

image.jpg


The curve around the tube seems to provide a good amount of tension, holding the rad in place.

image.jpg


To prevent any sideways movement, a screw seemed to finish it off. This was threaded in the aluminium tube.

image.jpg


So I didn't like the way you could see through the 'DFrame Mini' to a PSU label, and thought it could use tidying up. I therefore cut a panel to side in the PSU cage, this will be painted that lovely shade of turquoise eventually!

image.jpg


image.jpg


I've also cut a few cable holes in the mobo tray. From left to right: GPU power, front panel USB, and ATX power. The appropriate mATX stand off holes have also been cut and threaded.

image.jpg


And look what arrived.. had to source the paint from a graffiti site as it was the only place I could find a decent range of colours!

image.jpg


I'm hoping to get the above panels painted this week, along with the PCI bracket (which is in the works), and an additional panel to mount the res on. I've also got a HDD mount to figure out (hopefully just some holes in the mobo tray), and a couple of slits to cut for the PCI cards in the tray.

The aim is by the end of next week, to be in a position whereby the rig is being built for the 'final' time, and brading can get underway. Stay tuned!
 
Teuton said:
Great pics and nice work. Looking forward to seeing a more finished product.

Nice to see a good log in a more unusual case like the D-frame.
Click to expand...

Cheers Teuton! Yeah it's uniqueness was what attracted me to the case in the first place...

Hopefully another update to come in a little bit :)
 
A quick update for tonight, more progression on the metalwork!

So first up, most of the last couple of nights have been spent on producing the PCI bracket. Again, a jigsaw and file job with a dremel and clamp to get the folds. Needless to say, this has been a b**** lol.

IMG_8815.jpg


It seems to be there now though, and holds the GPU in pretty solid.

IMG_8824.jpg


Also had to cut a slit for the PCI cards to sit through the mobo tray, which means the GPU can now be fitted! (for now..)

IMG_8829.jpg


Seems like a pretty momentous occasion getting the GPU mounted, now getting a better idea on how the hardware's going to look.

IMG_8832.jpg


Another plate produced, here primarily to cover up the mass amount of holes which exist for the original hard drive mounts / cables. This will also act as a mounting bracket for the res. A little hole for the 8 pin was also cut, and I'm quite happy with how the 'angled corner' came out, mimicking the angle of the mobo tray behind.

IMG_8838.jpg


So the last one for tonight, I needed a way to mount the hard drive on the back of the mobo tray. At first, I was thinking about just 4 holes and screw right through. However that would mean to remove the hard drive, the entire motherboard would have to be taken out.. hardly convenient!

So I really liked the stock hard drive mounts that came with the case, the fixed thumb screw bracket makes for easy removal. Here's the original bracket.

IMG_8850.jpg


So I took two of them, chopped off the bulk of the plate, leaving just the thumb screws and a 90 degree section. Simple screw in to either side of the hard drive for a quick release hard drive bracket! Just got to drill and tap the appropriate holes in the mobo tray to mount.

IMG_8851.jpg


Also tested out a black 'paint pen' here. Considering the brackets are already nicely finished, I just needed to 'black out' the cut line. A simply paint pen seemed to give a really thick consistent finish on the cut, think I'll be using that again!

IMG_8855.jpg


The aim for tomorrow is to put the finishing touches to the res mounting plate (as pictured above), and then prep all of the metalwork in the last couple days for painting. Wouldn't mind getting the spray cans out soon!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom