Project Perspective | Silverstone TJ07 Watercooled Case Mod - Project Log

Discussion in 'Die-hard Overclocking & Case Modifications' started by Alec**, Mar 23, 2012.

  1. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    So about a year ago, I purchased a TJ07 off MikeMK who did a darn good job of building in a duel loop system, with a few mods to achieve a fantastic clean build.

    Some of you will have already seen his build, as his project log is the most popular ever on Guru3D with almost 100,000 views, for the rest here's how the build used to look...

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    Project Log

    The hardware that will be going into the build, well for the time being it will be pretty much what I'm using at the moment.. although there will be an addition of a Thermochill PA120.3 which should bring the temps down a bit.

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    Project Log

    So as I was saying.. the TJ has been sitting around here for quite a while, with he aim of completing a pretty hefty mod on it. And now, reviving the highly regarded case, myself (& MikeMK) are now embarking on the mod.

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    Now, I'm not claiming to be the first person to ever mod a TJ07, but I've been developing a few ideas that I reckon would look pretty cool, and will make a nice introduction to the modding scene. I haven't developed some incredibly detailed renders from Google sketch up, but I can give you a taster of some of the mods it will include:

    • BTX - Something both myself and MikeMK have always wanted to do, and should work quite well with the next mod.
    • Roof Window - Replacing the cooling effective mesh and fans with slightly less effective perspex to add a slightly different perspective of the PC.
    • Window panel - So obviously with the BTX, a new panel will have to be cut, possibly a little neater for the build.
    • Mirror Mod - Furthering the different viewpoints, I'm keeping with the little touch I've done on my PC by mounting a mirror on the floor.
    • New motherboard tray - There's always been a inch or two gap between the mobo tray & drive bays, this mixed with the bazzilion holes in the current tray results in the need for a new, clean panel.
    • Drive bay cover - It always bothered me you could see the back of the hard drives etc. along with cables from inside the case, a neat cover should tidy this up a bit.
    • New floor / rad fasia - Yet more metal panels in aid of a clean finish, this will include the mirror mod.
    • Front panel - No more 5 1/2" bay covers, one clean panel with a flush DVD drive should work on the clean look.

    And there will be some more mods to come :)

    As for the final look, it will be powder coated, and after wanting to go for this look for so long, it will be white. The secondary colour, as a result of hardware and preference, also predictable, will be blue.

    So I think that's about it for the brief, we should have quite a few photos (and videos) posted on here by the end of this weekend, with the intention of of completing the chassis ready to be powder coated. So keep tuned, and it would be fantastic to hear what you think, and any suggestions you may have for the build :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2012
  2. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    Contents

    -Reserved-
     
  3. scoter man1

    scoter man1 Ancient Guru

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    Bring it on, I know you guys do some really good work.
     
  4. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Thanks, looking forward to getting this build underway... will be good to see new life in the old TJ!
     

  5. Matt26LFC

    Matt26LFC Ancient Guru

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    Nice! Really looking forward to this!!

    I really wanted one of these cases, but it just cost to much for me, especially with mods :(

    I'll be getting the Switch 810 now, but really can't wait to see how this turns out :)
     
  6. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    Cheers Scooter Man :)

    Yeah the TJ is a bit pricey, but you pay for what you get; outstanding build quality. But the cost of modding is half of what's put the mod off for quite a bit, spent £50 this morning on a few small tools, and already spent a bit on materials etc.

    So we've made a start, and I'll get some photo's posted in a few mins :)
     
  7. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    Update 1

    Afternoon, and time for the first update :)

    So we began last night by making the project board, which we know is possibly a little optimistic in terms of what we will achieve this weekend – “but nothing wrong with ambition!” – MikeMK

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    And to set the scene…

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    So we started off by making the first cut on the back of the new motherboard tray for the IO plate etc. and instead of using a dremel for a change we opted for a more meaty Jigsaw which gets the job done allot quicker :)

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    With that cut to size, we began to work on the new floor / rad cover. First up we had to drill out the rivets of the previous motherboard tray rails, and then cut the lip off the current floor in order to mount the new panel on it, with a curve.

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  8. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    Update 1b

    Biiiig piece of metal before cutting:

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    And then it was time for the ‘curve’ of the panel. We didn’t want just a fold, or 2 edges, instead something a bit nicer to look at, fitting in with the curved look. To achieve this, we used a metal pipe with 2cm diameter, and then worked the 15mm sheet of metal around it.

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    So we’ve just made a start on cutting the lower part of this panel down, which we’ll carry on with after a spot of lunch :)

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  9. Matt26LFC

    Matt26LFC Ancient Guru

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    Oh most definatly, I wasn't saying it wasn't at all, just saying its out of my price range :( but I think I'll be very happy with the Switch, lets me install two rads internally and looks very nice (at least I think so)

    Anyway, nice update to the build log! You using a DLSR for the photos? They look quite nice shots.
     
  10. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Yeah, we are using both a 7d and the old trusty 350d as we are using the 7d for some HD video part of the time that we'll upload later once one of us has chance to edit it!
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2012

  11. Veteran

    Veteran Ancient Guru

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    I love TJ07 builds,i cant recommend them enough,i think there easily one of the best watercooling cases that money can buy especially if you get the one with the modded roof from specialtech.co.uk.

    I remember MikeMK's build,one of the best,you should have never got rid of that case Mike especially for an 800D:)
     
  12. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Update 2

    So, after lunch we thought we should get back to it…

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    First job was to make mounting cut outs/tabs on the new mid-section/PSU cover panel. These will eventually be used to screw the panel into the floor of the case. First we marked out the tabs, and used the jig-saw to cut them out, using a drill to cut pilot holes for the centre cuts.

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    Then we took a dremel and used it to score down the back of each of the mounting “tabs” to make them easier to bend.

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    We needed to cut sections out of each end of the curve to fit around the main structural pillars of the case:

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    Its funny what comes in handy when modding, we were just drawing up a template for the curved cut that sits towards the front of the case, and realised the fish food pot in the shed was the exact size we needed… nice!

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    Filing it smooth – will probably need a little more work to get it flush…

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    And at last… a test fit… not looking bad at all!

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    And that’s all for today… more tomorrow – hoping to get the panel for the drive bay cover done.

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    Last edited: Mar 24, 2012
  13. BlackZero

    BlackZero Guest

    Looking great, Alec.
     
  14. BlackZero

    BlackZero Guest

    and MikeMK
     
  15. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    LOL, thanks Veteran, I fancied a change, and the TJ was looking worse for ware. It needed a full rebuild and some TLC and I just don't have as much time these days to do big projects. Alec took it on cos he can make something of it, and i can enjoy getting involved with some modding, helping out on days when I have the time and giving advice when needed.

    Just glad to see it getting a new lease of life!
     

  16. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    Day 2

    Okay so the update for today, not a biggie but achieved a few bits...

    Cut the slits down the bottom of the floor / rad cover for the side panel fitting:

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    Had to take a bit more off the side for the panel's side clip to fit in:

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    Then discovered that there were 2 steel lips preventing it from going in flush, so they had to go:

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    Next, onto the inside drive bay cover, another folding job :p

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    And finally, beginning to cut the hole for original drive bay panel to fit through the new floor:

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    Here's a mock up of how it's looking:

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    Not sure how quickly this project will take place, but will certainly get bits done here and there, and we'll have another couple of weekends for it in upcoming weeks / months.. so keep tuned :)
     
  17. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    A years passed, so maybe it's time for progress..

    It's been nearly a year since this kicked off, and nearly a year since any progress has been made! But the last few weeks I've got round to continuing work on it, and now in a stage not so far from completion.

    So first up, 3 120mm holes were cut in the floor / lower shelf cover section which line up with the rad to go behind it. Again, the jigsaw was used, and the end result after a bit of filing isn't too bad. 2 'tube size' holes were also cut on the floor section of the panel for the res down to pump tube, and rad to CPU. This was done using the appropriate sized hole saw.

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    Just to prove the fans on the rad line up...

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    Not pictured, but this panel has been fitted by gluing the underside of the floor to a bracket, which is bolted to the original floor in the TJ. This appears to be a very secure fit, and enables the panel to be taken out.

    Next up, the motherboard tray. Using the trusty dremel, rectangular holes have been cut for Mobo, CPU, and GPU power, as well as SATA, front panel connectors, and USB ports.

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    Holes for the motherboard mounting were also drilled.

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    In terms of mounting, right angled brackets have been glued to the back of the new mobo tray, and bolted to the original TJ floor, as well as being glued to a removable bracket to the roof (not pictured).

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    So here's what it looked like with all pannels in place.

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    Originally I was planning to powdercoat the case, but due to being undecided on colours, cost, and curiosity of an alternative method, I used adhesive film in Matt Black. At about £10 for enough to do the case twice over, it made sense with the prospect of changing colour, or altering panels in mind. It was a bit of a pain to apply, more frustrating than anything, but none the less manageable. The overall finish: Generally I'm very impressed, it looks very clean and the 'soft' / 'silky' black looks pretty good, but air bubbles were an issue. The closer you look, the more you see :/.

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    So that's pretty much where I'm at now, next on the agenda:
    -Mounting hard drive cages in the front of the case
    -Sort some form of a front pannel for the drive bays
    -Cut side window, & Acrylic
    -Cut Acrylic for roof window

    And then it's pretty much onto the build!
     
  18. MikeMK

    MikeMK Ancient Guru

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    Good job overall! Still not convinced by the adhesive film though - powder coating for me any day!
     
  19. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    A Few Bits...

    Over the last week, I've been working on a couple of small things, and a solution to the HDD bays.

    To kick of, a tiny matter.. I had to extend the front panel connectors as a result of the BTX design, so I made use of a few spare cables in order to keep with the black & blue cabling theme...

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    Next up, due to the drive bay cover, the bays were left a little tight on room, which meant slightly adjusting the location of the PCB on the DVD drive to give the room for the SATA connectors.

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    Finding a solution to the front panel & hard drive storage has been on my mind since day 1, and today I've gone part way to resolving this. (For now) I've kept the original TJ drive covers, chopped the annoying screw brackets, and glued them to a single panel. At first I was planning on putting a hinge on this for quick access to HDDs / SDDs, but I've realised it's a bit too 'snug' in the front to get away with that.

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    I've recycled the original HDD bays (as pictured previously), as well as the support bracket with single thumb screw release for the bays. This is attached to a modified drive bay cage.

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    Some slight chopping and gluing with a second cage to maximize the space in the front for 5 HDDs.

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    Finally, using the jigsaw on 'painfully low' speed, a piece of perspex was cut to form the roof window. Holes were drilled to match up with the mounting holes for the old mesh meaning easy and secure attachment. Already getting fed up with the dust collection on the surface though. :/

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    I also opted for trashing the original USB / Audio / Firewire ports behind the flap, and replaced it with this...

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    So at the end of the day, here's how it's looking, pretty TJ07 esk...

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    I'm still unsure on how to finish the front bays, it looks pretty clean how it is, but i feel it could use a little more.. 'something.' I did consider modifing a portable TV LCD screen, or a digital picture frame LCD in some way to mount there, but I can't justify it practically..

    So short of finalising the front, I believe it's now just a matter of cutting the new side window, then seeing what problems arise when building.
     
  20. Alec**

    Alec** Maha Guru

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    A Delayed Update..

    So a few final shots of the last couple of mods, and the building process...

    As I said earlier I wasn't so happy with the way the front was finished, so the use of the old drive bay covers was scrapped, and replaced with a hinged door for easy access to the hard drive bays. A loose fitting:

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    Waiting for the glue to set on the hinges...

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    Next up, the previously mounted roof window wasn't quite right not being flush. Before:

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    So another piece of perpex was cut to fit on top, resulting in a flush top.. looks a lot better! Credit to MikeMK on 2 hours of filing there...

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    That's it for the primary mods, next onto the building process... I had a last minute change of heart on the colour scheme however, the previously blue & black braiding wouldn't have stood out enough on the matt black panels, so I decided on the addition of white cabling and tubing to really stand out, and compliment the Gigabyte motherboard. If I could have got decent sky blue coolant to match components on the motherboard, I would have probably used that. Here's a few shots of building in process...

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    It is now finished, the final shots will be uploaded hopefully in the next few days ;)
     

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