[Build Log] Woodland Raven - Case Mod Project [WIP]

[amdorintel]

no compromises yet using a 3600?

[MEC-777]

49 minutes ago, amdorintel said:

no compromises yet using a 3600?

No compromises in regards to the case design.

[MEC-777]

Found these soft-close hinges on Amazon yesterday, will be perfect for the top lid. Just placed an order.

 

 

[MEC-777]

After much deliberation, charts and graphs, the RX 5700 is the GPU of choice for the build. I'm planning to upgrade to a ~27" 1440p 144hz curved monitor for my main display, so need something that can drive it well at high settings.

 

It simply has the best value per dollar in terms of performance for the mid/high-end segment. Has a lower TDP than the XT, so temps won't be an issue if I go with a reference card and the BIOS can be flashed to an XT which brings it within a few % of the performance of an XT.

 

[MEC-777]

Availability seems to be non-existent for the Deepcool DQ650M power supply. Shame because I really want to support them and it looks like a truly excellent quality unit (based on reviews). If there are none available by the time I'm ready to order, will have to go with the Corsair RMx650 instead. Not complaining, that's also a solid unit and I can get custom cables for it, (where as I can't for the DQ650M), so either way is fine.

 

On another note; the top lid soft-close scissor hinges arrive today.

[MEC-777]

This pleases me.

 

 

(Couldn't find a top-view image of the Neptwin V2 cooler, so just drew it up in CAD)

[WkdPaul]

3 minutes ago, MEC-777 said:

(Couldn't find a top-view image of the Neptwin V2 cooler, so just drew it up in CAD)

lol didn't realize it was a CAD drawing until I saw that note!! 

[Zando_]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm vertically mounted m o t h e r b o a r d 

[Guest]

Someone get @Zando Bob a towel.

[Zando_]

2 minutes ago, Den-Fi said:

Someone get @Zando Bob a towel.

Yes....

 

cries in thermaltake being the only boyes currently offering cases with this mobo orientation that actually fit the aesthetic I want but I also despise how they conduct business and want to avoid them at all costs

 

Once I see how this mod goes, perhaps I shall yoink a similar case (if that's still possible, they don't seem too common) and do my own custom stuff to it

[Mezoxin]

My Previous Case was the Raven RV03 , loved its airflow and vertical mounting and cable management  , i wish more cases are like it these days 

[Zando_]

Just now, Mezoxin said:

i wish more cases are like it these days 

^^^ Yes yes yes. Especially given how beefy graphics cards have gotten, this mobo orientation eliminates sag as even a possibility. Not to mention the airflow makes even more sense, since heat rises you'll be every slightly more efficient when pushing air from the bottom out the top. I don't understand why they aren't more common or popular. 

[Mezoxin]

 

3 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

^^^ Yes yes yes. Especially given how beefy graphics cards have gotten, this mobo orientation eliminates sag as even a possibility. Not to mention the airflow makes even more sense, since heat rises you'll be every slightly more efficient when pushing air from the bottom out the top. I don't understand why they aren't more common or popular. 

Exactly its  eliminates that gpu sag hassle and  I remember when the bottom intake fans grew too old " 8 years of abuse" and noisy , I turned them off and the case still offered very decent airflow  with the exhaust fan alone that is very close to my current H500P mesh case which is one of todays top performers in aircooling 

[Zando_]

1 minute ago, Mezoxin said:

 

Exactly its  eliminates that gpu sag hassle and  I remember when the bottom intake fans grew too old " 8 years of abuse" and noisy , I turned them off and the case still offered very decent airflow  with the exhaust fan alone that is very close to my current H500P mesh case which is one of todays top performers in aircooling 

The Corsair One, "trashcan" Mac Pro, and now the new Xbox take advantage of this too. Tho they don't have the glorious fans @MEC-777 has (look back a bit, the airflow from those things is insane). 

[Mezoxin]

Just now, Zando Bob said:

The Corsair One, "trashcan" Mac Pro, and now the new Xbox take advantage of this too. Tho they don't have the glorious fans @MEC-777 has (look back a bit, the airflow from those things is insane). 

yeah mine had the same fans sadly they are beyond repair now 

[Mezoxin]

also bottom air intake means less dust , i remember seeing one of linus videos where they experimented with various intake designs and left the cases working for a year , the one with the bottom intake had the least dust 

[MEC-777]

@Zando Bob @Mezoxin Yep. It provides the best airflow and cooling efficiency for air cooling. That's why I'm so bored with the vast majority of cases on the market today and wanted to start this build with the Raven RV05, with it's up-draft airflow, at it's core.

[MEC-777]

Scissor hinges arrived.

 

 

 

[MEC-777]

Got some stuff done today, finally. Accidentally drilled out 2 rivets that I should have left. Just popped in new ones, no biggy.

 

Everything else is looking good thus far. Should be able to get some more done tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NotABigGamer]

looking pretty good so far!

[MEC-777]

34 minutes ago, NotABigGamer said:

looking pretty good so far!

Thanks.

[MEC-777]

Got the mdf side panels and top cover supports cut. Drilled and installed the threaded inserts and as it seems, mdf is not a very strong material - it split near the edge as you'll see in the pics. I might adjust the design slightly and make those pieces a bit longer, but the actual wood I'm going to use should be a lot stronger (cedar).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TVwazhere]

On 12/13/2019 at 11:37 AM, MEC-777 said:

This pleases me.

Spoiler

 

(Couldn't find a top-view image of the Neptwin V2 cooler, so just drew it up in CAD)

When I first saw this, I was a bit concerned about bottom intake because I had assumed most of the airflow was going to be coming through that arch, not realizing that A, the sides were open and B:

10 hours ago, MEC-777 said:

There's so much space on the front/back side that it may as well be an open face case! I see now that keeping my mouth shut was a good idea, because some people know how to build a proper PC case  

[MEC-777]

1 hour ago, TVwazhere said:

When I first saw this, I was a bit concerned about bottom intake because I had assumed most of the airflow was going to be coming through that arch, not realizing that A, the sides were open and B:

There's so much space on the front/back side that it may as well be an open face case! I see now that keeping my mouth shut was a good idea, because some people know how to build a proper PC case  

Priorities for the design of this project, in order of importance:

1. Airflow & cooling

2. Aesthetics

 

[MEC-777]

Took advantage of the boxing week sales today and picked the motherboard and cooler. They didn't have the Neptwin in stock, but they had this one for the same price. It's pretty thicc and should be more than adequate. Only 4 heat pipes, but they're 8mm and pretty darn beefy. Just need the AM4 adapter kit.