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Project Athena: A Custom Case Build

nmil

19350011906_0024f0b1a7_z.jpg

 

Hi guys,

This is my first time posting up on this forum and my first time building a fully custom case.

Here's a youtube vid going over my case design in sketchup. Hope you enjoy. :D

 

Specs

CPU: AMD FX4300 Black Edition

Mobo: Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0

Ram: 4Gb Kingston HyperX Fury !600Mhz x4 (total 16Gb)
GPU: Asus AMD R7 250 IGb
SSD: HyperX Savage 120Gb

 

I hope to post up some pictures soon.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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Sub'd. :)

My Systems:

Main - Work + Gaming:

Spoiler

Woodland Raven: Ryzen 2700X // AMD Wraith RGB // Asus Prime X570-P // G.Skill 2x 8GB 3600MHz DDR4 // Radeon RX Vega 56 // Crucial P1 NVMe 1TB M.2 SSD // Deepcool DQ650-M // chassis build in progress // Windows 10 // Thrustmaster TMX + G27 pedals & shifter

F@H Rig:

Spoiler

FX-8350 // Deepcool Neptwin // MSI 970 Gaming // AData 2x 4GB 1600 DDR3 // 2x Gigabyte RX-570 4G's // Samsung 840 120GB SSD // Cooler Master V650 // Windows 10

 

HTPC:

Spoiler

SNES PC (HTPC): i3-4150 @3.5 // Gigabyte GA-H87N-Wifi // G.Skill 2x 4GB DDR3 1600 // Asus Dual GTX 1050Ti 4GB OC // AData SP600 128GB SSD // Pico 160XT PSU // Custom SNES Enclosure // 55" LG LED 1080p TV  // Logitech wireless touchpad-keyboard // Windows 10 // Build Log

Laptops:

Spoiler

MY DAILY: Lenovo ThinkPad T410 // 14" 1440x900 // i5-540M 2.5GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD iGPU + Quadro NVS 3100M 512MB dGPU // 2x4GB DDR3L 1066 // Mushkin Triactor 480GB SSD // Windows 10

 

WIFE'S: Dell Latitude E5450 // 14" 1366x768 // i5-5300U 2.3GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD5500 // 2x4GB RAM DDR3L 1600 // 500GB 7200 HDD // Linux Mint 19.3 Cinnamon

 

EXPERIMENTAL: Pinebook // 11.6" 1080p // Manjaro KDE (ARM)

NAS:

Spoiler

Home NAS: Pentium G4400 @3.3 // Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 // 2x 4GB DDR4 2400 // Intel HD Graphics // Kingston A400 120GB SSD // 3x Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200 HDDs in RAID-Z // Cooler Master Silent Pro M 1000w PSU // Antec Performance Plus 1080AMG // FreeNAS OS

 

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Sub'd. :)

Thanks!  :D

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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The name should be the least important thing but I'm pretty sure there are already build logs named athena. Otherwise I highly recommend you post a picture of your work too instead of just a video, many of us just skim through these posts and are not in the place or time to look at a video.

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19350011906_0024f0b1a7_z.jpg

 

The name should be the least important thing but I'm pretty sure there are already build logs named athena. Otherwise I highly recommend you post a picture of your work too instead of just a video, many of us just skim through these posts and are not in the place or time to look at a video.

 

The name I actually came up with my self, cause my 2 favorite computer brands are Asus and AMD, so I was trying to think of a name that started with A. Your word is my command

 

This build was designed as a quiet optimized case that will look different. I didn't want to have to put padding on the case, so I designed it so that I would be able to run the biggest fans possible at the slowest speeds. (This is also my first time using sketchup, so it doesn't look that good.)

post-203576-0-03826900-1431591006_thumb.

post-203576-0-64311500-1431591979_thumb.

The side box where the power button is located will also house the hard drives and the wiring. The 2 fans on the front are 200mm, this is so that I can run them at 30% the whole time for maximum quietness. 

post-203576-0-17385300-1431591983_thumb.

the motherboard tray will be lifted slightly of the back and there will be lights behind it, giving the tray a floating effect.

post-203576-0-09262200-1431591995_thumb.post-203576-0-00939100-1431592004_thumb.post-203576-0-82340800-1431592011_thumb.

I plan to put some sort of artwork on the back of the case.

I hope you enjoyed.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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That looks amazing man!

Thanks again!

I've been having trouble choosing a colour scheme for this build. My 2 main contenders are blue and white, as you have already seen, or red and white, pictured below.

post-203576-0-69117500-1431676359_thumb.

I was hoping that you guys could help me decide. I guess the red would suite the build since it's an AMD build, but the blue would match my room.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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looks awesome man, its not easy to build a custom case, i just took 7 months to build a m-itx case. 

got to love Asus components

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looks awesome man, its not easy to build a custom case, i just took 7 months to build a m-itx case. 

Yeah I know, it's completely different to modding a case.

Any way, I started building the frame for this build. These pieces will be backbone of the case, they make up the box  on the right of the case, where all the hdds and cabling will go. I was trying to make the join as seamless as possible, so me and my dad came up with a pretty complex cut in order fit the pieces together. Once i use some filler and paint it, you shouldn't be able to see the join.

post-203576-0-09514800-1431827613_thumb.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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this is pretty badass you should check out my custom build im having my car fab guy weld up one for 280$

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19350011906_0024f0b1a7_z.jpg

 

this is pretty badass you should check out my custom build im having my car fab guy weld up one for 280$

 

I'm not going to weld these together, I wish I could. Everything in Australia is expensive, so buying a welder that can do aluminium will cost you an arm and a leg. I plan to use pop rivet and countersunk holes to attach them together, then I'll file them beck and use filler to make it flat.

 

 

So I got some more progress done. I wanted to cut out the insides of the pieces to make more room for cable management later on.

Before and after of the front and back peices

post-203576-0-12404500-1431839367_thumb.

Before and after of top and bottom

post-203576-0-88085600-1431839672_thumb.

All 4 done

post-203576-0-12627000-1431840327_thumb.

I had to modify my jigsaw blade, so that i could actually cut one side and not damage the other side

post-203576-0-91615400-1431840366_thumb.

Well now I guess I'm in for a lot of filing

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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Yeah I know, it's completely different to modding a case.

Any way, I started building the frame for this build. These pieces will be backbone of the case, they make up the box  on the right of the case, where all the hdds and cabling will go. I was trying to make the join as seamless as possible, so me and my dad came up with a pretty complex cut in order fit the pieces together. Once i use some filler and paint it, you shouldn't be able to see the join.

attachicon.gifIMG_0070.JPG

nice, but filler, no way it will spoil it, can you not silver solder or brazing to fill the gap, i suggest gas welding is best for alloy as its very difficult to weld due to you can't see the melting point (weld pool) so then it just disperses. so yeah you need practice and the right equipment. if you know someone with a tig welder its the best. 

If you do have to use filler, then don't just use some cheap car filler, use a special paste / 2 pack metal to metal bonding adhesive. designed for alloy. 

got to love Asus components

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nice, but filler, no way it will spoil it, can you not silver solder or brazing to fill the gap, i suggest gas welding is best for alloy as its very difficult to weld due to you can't see the melting point (weld pool) so then it just disperses. so yeah you need practice and the right equipment. if you know someone with a tig welder its the best. 

If you do have to use filler, then don't just use some cheap car filler, use a special paste / 2 pack metal to metal bonding adhesive. designed for alloy. 

I don't know anyone who owns a  welder, so I can't really use that, I might try brazing it together, but I'll probably have to end up using filler in the end though.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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Are there any reasonably cheap quiet cpu air coolers that you guys would recommend? Preferably, I would like one that is white or blue, cause it would match my theme. I'm thinking of maybe getting the Cryorig H5. SPRC gave it a good review and and recommended it I'm pretty sure, but I'm not sure if it would the best option.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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Are there any reasonably cheap quiet cpu air coolers that you guys would recommend? Preferably, I would like one that is white or blue, cause it would match my theme. I'm thinking of maybe getting the Cryorig H5. SPRC gave it a good review and and recommended it I'm pretty sure, but I'm not sure if it would the best option.

 

First cooler that came to mind was the Cryorig H5. ;) From all I've read about their coolers, they are a very good choice.

My Systems:

Main - Work + Gaming:

Spoiler

Woodland Raven: Ryzen 2700X // AMD Wraith RGB // Asus Prime X570-P // G.Skill 2x 8GB 3600MHz DDR4 // Radeon RX Vega 56 // Crucial P1 NVMe 1TB M.2 SSD // Deepcool DQ650-M // chassis build in progress // Windows 10 // Thrustmaster TMX + G27 pedals & shifter

F@H Rig:

Spoiler

FX-8350 // Deepcool Neptwin // MSI 970 Gaming // AData 2x 4GB 1600 DDR3 // 2x Gigabyte RX-570 4G's // Samsung 840 120GB SSD // Cooler Master V650 // Windows 10

 

HTPC:

Spoiler

SNES PC (HTPC): i3-4150 @3.5 // Gigabyte GA-H87N-Wifi // G.Skill 2x 4GB DDR3 1600 // Asus Dual GTX 1050Ti 4GB OC // AData SP600 128GB SSD // Pico 160XT PSU // Custom SNES Enclosure // 55" LG LED 1080p TV  // Logitech wireless touchpad-keyboard // Windows 10 // Build Log

Laptops:

Spoiler

MY DAILY: Lenovo ThinkPad T410 // 14" 1440x900 // i5-540M 2.5GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD iGPU + Quadro NVS 3100M 512MB dGPU // 2x4GB DDR3L 1066 // Mushkin Triactor 480GB SSD // Windows 10

 

WIFE'S: Dell Latitude E5450 // 14" 1366x768 // i5-5300U 2.3GHz Dual-Core HT // Intel HD5500 // 2x4GB RAM DDR3L 1600 // 500GB 7200 HDD // Linux Mint 19.3 Cinnamon

 

EXPERIMENTAL: Pinebook // 11.6" 1080p // Manjaro KDE (ARM)

NAS:

Spoiler

Home NAS: Pentium G4400 @3.3 // Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 // 2x 4GB DDR4 2400 // Intel HD Graphics // Kingston A400 120GB SSD // 3x Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200 HDDs in RAID-Z // Cooler Master Silent Pro M 1000w PSU // Antec Performance Plus 1080AMG // FreeNAS OS

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

First cooler that came to mind was the Cryorig H5. ;) From all I've read about their coolers, they are a very good choice.

Great minds must think a like ;)

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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Looks great, like what you've done with the bottom PSU cover

good luck with the rest of the build :)

Wow thanks! That means a lot. I love your current build btw. Do you think there are any improvements I can make to the design? I'm thinking of removing the slim line and just having a usb dvd drive that I can plug in only when I need it. I think it'll make the design simpler and look cleaner.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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  • 2 weeks later...

19350011906_0024f0b1a7_z.jpg

 

So I didn't get much work done on the PC since i was working on building my setup where this build will be placed. I hope post up some pics soon, but currently it's a mess.

I also picked up a new SSD for the rig. :D

19213406052_f98dfc6af2_z.jpgIMG_0196 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

When i tried to clone over my system drive to this one it didn't seem to work I the rig went into a restarting cycle :unsure: . So I ended up doing a clean install, meaning i have to reinstall all of my programs :angry:

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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I finally managed to clean up my setup.  :D

19264390791_f2b6d089e4_z.jpgIMG_0210 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

I tried to hide the wires as much as possible, but deiced not to drill a hole in my desk for the keyboard and mouse, since I still want to be able move them around. I'm loving the Razer Goliathus mouse mat, it is really helping my aim and the large area means I can turn the dpi really low. There are a few things that i still plan to improve on for this setup. I need another 1080p monitor to replace my current secondary monitor. I then need to get a dual monitor stand so that i can lift them up of the desk and make space so that i can install my speakers. I also want to get some led lighting for the back so that the whokle thing looks sick. B) If you can see anything I can improve on be sure to tell me.

 

Here's the donor rig for my build

19260527515_e37d0a6934_z.jpgIMG_0217 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

I did the case mod a couple of years ago and it was my very first one. I've had this case for ages and I've just been upgrading the internal hardware. so moving out of this case will be quite sentimental :( , but then again, i need a case that has better wire management and acoustics.

 

For the build I'm thinking of learning how to braze, so that i can make the joins in the metal pieces more seamless. My dad is actually considering buying a 2D CNC carver, so hopefully i can make some cool parts on that.

 

That's all for this update

Cheers,

nmil

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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19350011906_0024f0b1a7_z.jpg

 

Update time!

I started work on the front IO. First I made a template on CAD

19158808808_fe7727f2f5_z.jpgIMG_0226 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

I then glued it to the aluminium and drilled out all of the holes

19320317666_ff138109ac_z.jpgIMG_0218 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

After the template was removed

19346423025_7b10bf7ef2_z.jpgIMG_0219 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

I couldn't resist installing the switches, they look too good!

18725782823_3c28de573d_z.jpgIMG_0220 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

19350403281_d2afd0a015_z.jpgIMG_0225 by nmrci1, on Flickr

 

I still have a lot filing to do on the other pieces, but hope to have them done by the end of the week.

nmil

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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What are the switches used for apart from turning the thing on

 

I have a reset switch, and an led on and off switch, since i like to run my computer overnight to download large files.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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Subbed. Love the sketches. There's just something about that dual 200mm fan setup... *swoon*

Yeah, I wanted to build something that was unique and i just really like big fans cause they are quieter and just look cool.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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So 2 vandal switches and a latching switch im guessing

All vandal switches, my dad is good with electronics so he can figure out a way to make a momentary switch last like a toggle. I couldn't find any momentary and toggle switches that looked the same, and so my inner perfectionist made me have to go with all of the same.

Check out my YouTube channel here and don't forget to subscribe :D

Current build: Project Athena

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