TJ07 Build with a differance - True triple chamber inverted ATX

[Typhoon]

Project: TJ07 Build with a differance - True triple chamber inverted ATX

[EDIT Final Pics added towards the bottom of Page 1]

Well there are TJ07 mods aplenty but this one is going to be little different. It is coming up to about time for an upgrade and I am holding out to see how far the 1156 i7 overclock before deciding which platform I’m going with. I have second GTX280 so this will be an SLi set up (current X38 MB only does Crossfire). Also I will upgrading my W/C gear.

This PC will be on the floor to my left, so I really wanted a case with a window to the right hand side of the case - this means a BTX MB or an inverted ATX. Hence the decision to convert my 3 yrs old TJ07 to inverted ATX. I will be W/Cing the CPU (and may be the chipset – the P55 are supposed to run cooler than the X58). GPUS will be aircooled as I change these often and it gets expensive with different multiple waterblocks and is a hassel to change over.

Those of you familiar with the TJ07 will know that its a brilliant case for water cooling, but rather poor at air if running mutilple GPUs, hence I needed to beef up the airflow. I came up with the idea to create 3 discrete compartments (1) Rad/ pump and PSU- (2) Optical,HDD,SSD- and (3) main MB area, with minimal openings between them and directed, ducted airflow using a high static pressure 120mm fan up close to the GPU’s and a slower fan to cool the chipset/VRM’s. This compartmentalised design is also great for hiding cabling and such with only the MB in view no mater where you look through the window.
There are 2x 120mm fans at the top of the case - with the invert the GPUs will be right up next to these fan. If I set them to expel air, they will starve the GTX's of cold air, and if I set them as intakes they will only cool the top most GTX. Hence to finish off, these fans will be removed & there will be a window at the top to view the printed side of the GTX280- which will be at the top of the case following the invert. I have a couple of 38mm thick Scythe Ultra Kaze's which will provide the GTX's with plenty of directed air.

Finally the internals will be sparyed black prior to new hardware being fitted.(hopefully a MB with a black PCB)

[EDIT] I decided on the internals so I may just complete this tread with the final build pics when done. So Specs will be
-Intel i7 920
-EVGA X58 SLi
-6 GB Corsair Dominator DDR2 1866 MHz
-XSPC RX360 Rad & DDC5 Vario pump
-2x BFG GTX 280 OC2 SLi
-Corsair 850 TX PSU
-Triple Dell 2407
-Will get a SSD when Win 7 is released, just XP and a 500GB HD till then

Ok here my PC at the moment...

I will be transferring everything bar the W/C gear into a CM Centurion. I got the exact same case as I got in 2007 to house the last incumbent in my TJ07 (an E6600 on a Asus Commando 965 MB)

First step is to cut out a new window on the right hand panel. I cut it a little smaller than the original to hide the HDD cage. I will use a 3mm clear acrylic sheet on the inside. The orignial left hand side panel will lose its clear window and replace with dark black tinted acrylic or a mesh screen for airflow.

 

[Typhoon]

I am confused...
Are you doing a TJ07 build or a Centurion?

Which ever this looks interesting!

I am doing a TJ07, I just couldn't resist posting the picture of the 2 Centurions -they now both hold the old internals of my TJ07, thats the last pic you'll see of them

 

[Typhoon]

This case is pretty easy to disassemble, a few screws and you are done. The lower MB tray slide support is riveted in and need to be drilled out. It would appear the designers of the case had plans for an inverted layout as all the screw holes on one side of the case are replicated on the redundant other side. The top support need to be swapped over with the bottom but that’s about it to invert.

Here you can see I have made some additional cut-outs where I think the tubing will go through (Dont have MB yet so unsure of final positions) and also a cut out for the 24pin ATX cable and GPU cables (all will be hidden by the lower MB tray support & go behind the MB tray and not be visible)

Finally for today I fitted the 2mm alu sheet that will go to divide the case into 3 chambers. This should give an idea of what I am trying to achieve. The gap between the alu sheet and case side panel will be filled once the 3mm acrylic window and rubber edging strip is fitted. The sheet that goes on the floor above the PSU/Rad compartment is riveted down, whislt the other vertical sheet is bolted at the base for ease of removal.

Tomorrow I will make the fan cut outs on that vertical sheet for the GPU cooling

 

[Typhoon]

Here the main part of the mod laid out. Fan cut outs are done and grills fitted. These are 120mm rad grills. On the bottom tray you can see the cut out for the MB cabling (will be hidden by the tray).
All the cabling for the drices and fans will pass up from underneath into the drive compartment. The only holes that are left to be cut out are 2 for the water cooling in/out tubes. This should give the hole interior of the case a clean minimalistic look.

Here a dummy layout that I think I’ll be doing. The lower fan will cool the drive cage and the larger top fan just for the graphics card. I haven’t decided if it worth using two of those 38mm thick fan as shown or just one (will have a fan controller so noise is not an issue) and If I should use some sort of ducting from the front of the case.

 

[Typhoon]

All good points Phunky, I came across them during the inital planning stage and came up with work arounds before proceeding with the build. Its interesting you too noted that the was a 3mm differance on inverting the MB tray (mine was 2mm). I had thought that was due to case to case variations. I read that the reason that Silverstone dont offer replacement panel for this case is that they cant gaurantee it will fit, as side panels are normally hand matched and checked for fit for each individual case due to the way the curved aluminium unibody settles.
I used 2mm aluminum sheet for the mod so that automatically raised the MB tray support by the 2mm I needed. The top MB tray support now does not fit. Its main purpose is to support the tray when installing the MB and expansion/graphic cards rather than a guide rail for inserting and removing the tray (which is served by the lower tray support. I used a 10mm sq aluminuim section from the scarp box that fit perfectly (just held with double sided) tape between the tray and the side of the case at the top - its now more solid that the original.
As for the top fans and grill, I am doing away with them and fitting a window in that location, looking down at the graphic cards, so there is now plenty of clearence. As I will be using high static pressure intake fans, I dont need the extra exhaust fans to remove air as there plenty of holes around the back for air to escape (also replacing the original side window with mesh). I'll post some pics later.

 

[Typhoon]

Gave everything a dry fit - all fits pretty well. Next step is to drill out the holes of the tubing and get down to some painting.

I also cut out a hole in MB tray to fascilitate fitting CPU coolers.

 

[Typhoon]

Ouch didn't realise the Mesh was being discontinued as well. I have found a source that claims more stock due on the 18th so I'll keep an I on that to see if it materialises. My back plan is to use perforated aluminium sheet. the holes are larger than the ones on the case though.

 

[Typhoon]

I have been doing some painting over the last few days and it turned out better than I dared hope.

 

[Typhoon]

Just about finished with the case mod, just need to find some mesh panel for the the original windowed panel on the other side.

I used black tinted acrylic for the roof window. I plant to use a white cold cathode just under the roof, with an external on/off switch.

I decided on the internals so I may just complete this tread with the final build pics when done. So Specs will be
-Intel i7 920
-EVGA X58 SLi
-6 GB Corsair Dominator DDR2 1866 MHz
-XSPC RX360 Rad & DDC5 Vario pump
-2x GTX 280 SLi
-Corsair 850 TX PSU
-Triple Dell 2407
-Will get a SSD when Win 7 is released, just XP and a 500GB HD till then

 

[Typhoon]

I managed to track down what must surely be the last sheet of AC Ryan Black MeshX panel in the th UK at the moment so the original windowed panel shouls match the existing grils pretty well now.

 

[Typhoon]

I got sent the wrong mesh so haven't been able to measure the holes, the right ones are on order. I am still waiting on components to finish off the build, but in the mean time heres somemore pics. I have the hard disks turned around 180 degress to aid fitting the cables. I have brought some extra power and SATA cables thorugh for future storage.

Kama Bays fitted. There a fan controller under the flap.

 

[Typhoon]

Its the first time I painted a case. I stripped it down, cleaned it with wire wool and 400girt wet/dry. I used etche primer from Halfords as a base and the PastiKote BBQ black spray paint. Finally I used Krylon Matte Varnish Spray over all the painted bits.

 

[Typhoon]

I did may be 4 light coats with a couple of hours drying time inbetween. No i didn't do any sanding inbetween. I wasn't after a sports car perfect gloss finsh and it would have driven me mad if I has to sand it down between coats!

 

[Typhoon]

Well its pretty much done. I am still waiting on the Mesh Panel to cover the original opening on the other side, but I figured I may as well start using the PC fully now. I will update again when I get it.

Stealth Mode

Lit up

The Details

And the messy side that stays hidden

And the last one

Braiding wires bores the life out of me and the eagle eyed may have spotted I only braided 1 wire. The the on/off switch for the interior lighting. Everything else is hidden or sprayed black to camouflage. The wires that dont get seen when the panels are on, I did not bother with. I'll update with final pics again when the mesh arrives.

Cooling is pretty effective. Max CPU temps are about 74 with the radiator fans in minimum (fan controller is hidden under the flap at the front). This is at 4.2Ghz with 1.45v (she’ll do more but I will save fiddling till later). And Max GPU temps are 80 degrees with the front fans on minimum.

 

[Typhoon]

Thanks

 

[Typhoon]

Yes I find hiding the wires gives a neater look than braiding them and puttingr them on display (but maybe its because I dont have the patience). Yes inverted looks a little strange the first time but you soon get used to it. May have some cooling benifits as well if you have roof mounted fans.

 

[Typhoon]

Looks great man!! I need to sort out lighting on mine but well cant be bothered wiring them all together to 1 switch! You just got that 1 switch on the back for the CCFL's or another somewhere else? I can only connect 2 at a time to mine

I have 2 sets of CCFL's with 2 inverters. Each had their own switch, so I just cut one off and wired it up to the other so the 1 switch at the back now controlls all of them.

 

[Typhoon]

Thanks, yes mostly the design or graphics the manufactures place the graphics card are never seen again once you install. I wanted to make a feature of what is after all, the normally, most expensive component in the computer. I am glad I went with the tinted acrylic all round as it gives the Pc 2 distinct looks with lights off and on.

 

[Typhoon]

Thanks guys, yes thats XSPC 7/16"ID 5/8"OD tubing over 1/2" barbs. No clamps needed.

Yes I did think about that tubing, it would have been hard to route in under the false floor/midplate without it kincking or some very tight bends due to the location of the outflow pipe on the pump. I wanted the rad where is is as I like the symmetry of the white tubes leading to , and out of it. Also the false floor looked very bare and devoid of any features so the extra tubing sprouting from it adds a bit of interest. I am thinking of replacing that tube with a clear one or different colour to add further interest. With the side panel on and when you cant see where the all tubes lead to, its adds a little mystery to the routing I think

 

[Typhoon]

This looks brilliant! Is this what's running ur triple screen racing box in the TFT thread?

It is now