Unnamed mini build log

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 08-04-2012 at 09:45.*

Edit** the project now has a name:

I originally wanted a Silverstone SG07/08 but they don't sell it without the PSU. I had already bought a nice 750W Silverstone PSU, so I didn't want it to go to waste. All of a sudden the Cooler Master Elite 120 shows up and I instantly bought it when it was in stock. $50!!

I also don't mind modding a cheap case.

The case just came in and I immediately stripped it down. Took off all the cables except the switch cables. Removed the rear PSU mount, rear expansion covers, HDD brackets, 80mm fan holder, , front bezel, and front fan.

I didn't take any before pictures, so here's some official ones. It is the new Cooler Master Elite 120.
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/prod...roduct_id=3102

The layout right now has the PSU over the CPU. What I will be doing is moving the PSU to the front so that I can fit my full size EVGA Superclock heatsink. Mmm so sexy.

To do this, I just have to punch out the rivets and take out the drive cage and DVD drive holder. I only have one 3.5" hard drive anyway. I can easily fit an SSD somewhere. I just want to have one large SSD when they get cheap enough. Do note that I will not be using a DVD drive right now. A slim one can still fit on the front.

Here it is naked.

I was really hoping the drive cage was tall enough so that I could just shove the PSU in there and call it done. That would have been too easy. Cooler Master should really consider a removeable drive bay and cage in their next revision.

Here you can see that the case is wide enough for cables and a right angle power plug. I don't have a right angle plug right now, so I gotta order one. Eventually the cable will probably go over the top of the case, above the GPU, and out the water hose gromet.

Some space comparisons with a full size GPU. There is about a centimeter gap, WHEW!! There is a fan bracket in the front that I will have to bend or cut out so that the PSU can fit. The PSU fan will be facing the front and exhaust out the side? I might have the PSU exhaust the right side of the case, but then that's a mess of cables right by the GPU. I could have it exhaust out the left side by the GPU and block that part off so that hot air doesn't go right back into the GPU - unless I get a dual fan GPU, then it doesn't really matter.

Future plans include ordering a custom plexiglass vented roof and side panels. I gotta figure out some neato design first. I want to incorporate my screenname on the top.
Then I will be shortening the PSU cables so that they are just long enough to reach the components. I could have a website do it for me since I'm rarely home. And finally, I will be painting the GPU cover, various parts, and doing an extra black layer to cover up the scratches I made.

Now, lets punch out some rivets!

Nato.dbnz · 07-24-2012, 04:04 | posts: 3,255 | Location: Auckland NZ

Cool build, I'll keep an eye on this.

I have some m-itx parts on their way to me as we speak. Can't wait to get building too

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 07-25-2012 at 00:49.*

Unnamed mini build log for Cooler Master Elite 120 continued

Alright the front is gone. I still have to take off the small front fan bracket. Not sure where the tools are in this house, so I'll figure something out, or I'll just bend flat temporarily. When I do that, there will be a larger gap from the PSU and mobo. There is a raised part(?) for cable ties that I will have to flatten under the PSU and it will sit lower. Using the spare flat piece of metal from the drive bay, I will make some L shaped brackets to secure the PSU with screws. I will definitley need a cutting disc for that.

Tossed in the GPU, even though I know it won't fit properly without the front fan bracket gone. It's just so I can visualize it a bit better. The cables will be really short, so I think it will look clean. I think I will just make two bars for the hard drive to sit inbetween above the PSU.

I could have the PSU sit flat, but I think that would definitley skrew up the air flow unless I make vents the bottom. I do like the large gap in the middle though. Makes it looks more spaceous in a small case and I don't have to cram cables in there. If it does sit flat, I can fit a DVD drive, but I'm not going to even bother since I use it like once a month maybe.

Well that's all for now.

Brendruis · 07-25-2012, 21:02 | posts: 1,242 | Location: Melbourne, FL

I would definitely try to get the PSU flat.. it would bug the crap out of me and it doesn't look like the impact on airflow would be hugely significant.

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 07-27-2012 at 10:18.*

Unnamed mini build log for Cooler Master Elite 120 continued

The front fan holder is gone now. So far I've been using just a file rod and a folding knife (tanto shaped) to remove the rivets and this fan holder. Using a knife is probably easier/cheaper than buying or using a power tool, but takes more balls. To remove rivets, all you do is use a sharp pointed object like a nail or file to poke into the rivet to remove the backside. Then use the knife point, place inside the top of the rivet hole, and twist REALLY HARD a few times. Since rivet are kinda thin, it should only take about a minute to cut off one.

To remove the front fan holder was easy. All I did was score the inside angle with the knife, then bend the bracket inwards towards the scored side. Bend it back out, and off it comes. Then I just filed down the edge.

WARNING: USE A KNIFE AT YOUR OWN RISK

Test fitting pics now that I have the full amount of space. I really like the gap in the middle. You could fit two drives laying on their side there. You could fit a DVD drive laying on it's side and have it eject out a side of the case. I won't be using a DVD drive though.

Only the important parts. That means I also won't be using front audio, USB, or SSD cables because that's just more clutter and I never use them anyway because they are tripping hazards.

The right angle power plug will be perfect. It will be bent to the left (upwards here) so that I can zip tie it to the top rail and out through the back gromet. Can't mount the PSU yet until I get the plug. Once I have it, I will move the PSU as far to the left as possible to give a little more room for the cables on the right side.

I tried to see if the PSU could fit flat and have enough room, but it can't because the GPU is in the way, which makes the plugs/cables too wide. I could spin the PSU 180 and have the cables come out the left side and still fit, but that's a mess of cables right by the GPU and I'm trying to keep that area clean. The orignal plan is fine.

Also I think the hard drive will be mounted towards the rear where there originally is a 80mm fan holder. I think it's a good spot. It will just be screwed to the floor haha.

Since this mobo only has two fan headers, a 120mm exhaust fan will be mounted in the rear. I'm wanting to have two white LED fans with black frames. Any suggestions?

Next up is to make some brackets to attach the PSU. I think I will mount it to the floor and the front wall.

**Small update:
Ordered two BitFenix 120MM white LED fans, a right angle power cord, and some graffit/street art spraypaint because I couldn't find the colors here.

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 08-03-2012 at 04:25.*

Mail came in.

2x 120mm BitFenix white LED fans with black casing
1x right angle plug

The plug is a little chunky, so I might shave off a milimeter or two from the end.

**more mail

Taking my fans apart. I will be painting the fan blades.

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 08-05-2012 at 02:16.*

Painting fan blades

Took off the fan sticker, and since the blade is transparent, you can see the magnet coils inside. Looks neato.

After I paint the second fan, I guess I'll start sanding down the plug. I need to shave off a bit on the end that's connected to the PSU, then a bit off the end to make it fit through the gromet hole.

Also my friend gave me an idea for a name. Since I am using Hatsune Miku colors, he came up with MikuATX.
I changed it to MikuITX because it is a MiniITX build.
I will be painting the following parts teal:
-fan blades
-GPU cover
-top of CPU heatsink
-top of SSD (whenever I get one)
-part of the front bezel

This is Hatsune Miku by the way. Well she has so many styles, but this one is the most badass.

New banner for fun ^^

kanana · 08-04-2012, 08:22 | posts: 8 | Location: Lisbon,Portugal

very nice...keep up the good work

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 08-05-2012 at 03:25.*

Small update today: Painted the second fan and put them back together.

I will be painting the very top surface of the EVGA heatsink to give the interior more color. Maybe I'll put my screen name or MikuITX on top there.

Painted the inner ring of an old headset for fun.

killer_939 · 08-05-2012, 05:41 | posts: 2,562 | Location: Australia

I love the Miku theme, makes me tempted to do one like that!

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 08-05-2012 at 07:25.*

Yes I love Miku and this kinda makes it obvious. In the past few years I've been buying more teal colored clothing too haha.

Also...
WOAH!~ Look what just popped up on newegg!!! 2x8GB 2400Mhz teal colored RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144641

Perfect!! I'm using 2x4GB 1600Mhz Corsair Vengeance LP (black heatspreaders) right now. You can't even see the RAM really, but I think it will add the extra amount of color I'm looking for. What great timing.

Out of stock right now..but I will pick them up later.

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 08-11-2012 at 06:44.*

Well I'm back to work now, so I only have one day out of the week to work on this...

Today I was preparing to paint the Silverstone PSU fan, but I couldn't figure out how to take it apart. I could just ghetto paint it, meaning I just mask the frame. Not a problem, and saves me some money and time from buying a new LED fan.

I also picked up some LED's. I could just swap out the 140mm fan with a white LED one, or I can just use the large white LED and find a spot to put it in the PSU. An actual LED fan might be cleaner looking though.

Since the motherboard headers are on the bottom right of the mobo, it will be right under the GPU. I have an idea to modify the GPU cover with plexiglass and have the HD LED activity light in it. Not sure what kind of design I will be doing yet, but Miku wil be on it for sure.

Also since I am going to be using a flip switch as a power switch, the front plastic bezel is now useless and I came up with a great idea to mod the front of the case with a slightly thick plexiglass sheet and have a design behind it. This will shorten the case even more by about 3/4" It will also be the mount for the PSU and I will have some kind of fan grill design integrated into it.
**Currently photoshopping a design and will post later**

Also also I came up with an idea to just make the mod an open air case. I will still be using the cover, but cutting it to the edge to only cover the edges of the case. This will just add a little bit of durabilty and so that it doesn't flex. I've been using my computer parts just sitting on boxes the last two years. It would just feel strange to cover it.

Out of curiosity, I took off the fans off the heatsink and checked the temps while the PC was on. It would not go over low 60's while overclocked at 4.4Ghz. Not bad eh? With the fans, it be in the 40's.

Just saw this email for a Cooler Master case mod contest that just started and ends December 7th. I wil be entering my MikuITX when it is done.
http://modcontest2012.coolermaster.com/index.php

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 08-13-2012 at 23:00.*

Small amount of progress today. Masked off the heatsink and painted the side and the top. I also ghetto painted the PSU fan by just masking off the edges since I couldn't figure out how to take it apart. Looks fine when I put it back together. I like that you can see the heatsink behind it better. It adds a bit more color..
The black and magenta stripe is to represent her iconic hair ornaments or maybe it's a hair tie. I'm not sure.

Well I finally registered for Cooler Master Case Mod 2012 contest. A first for me. Not sure I'm getting myself into, but I can at least say I participated.

FULMTL · *Last edited by FULMTL; 10-22-2012 at 18:42.*

I'll never finish this!
Stupid stupid weak hurricane screwed me over. I was not working for three weeks because of it. I thought it was going to be just, you know some power outages and such, but nope, it flooded and I couldn't go back home. I was playing catch up at work ever since then with no days off.

Here is some progress though. I ordered a Samsung 830 256GB SSD and GTX 660Ti.

Painted the GTX 660Ti and put in an LED. The problem I have is that I couldn't find a 10mm LED, so I'll use two 5mm ones. Also the plastic behind the fan is painted white after I took off all the barcodes. When I'm done, there will be no barcodes or QC stickers because I want it clean. Also whenever I get some free time, I will be making a design for the GPU and printing it on clear vinyl. I specifically bought this GPU for the empty flat space.

Now to decide if I will paint the SSD.