The Utterly Imbalanced CaseLabs TX10-D build(s)!

[Lays]

hi

[VSG]

Just because you asked, here's one more:

 

I found some time to work on the pedestal. The poor thing had been left as a frame only for over a week:

 

 

First up- base added:

 

 

That leaves these bare spaces where the casters go (what a shocker!):

 

 

For some reason I had the standard casters on the case even though the TX10 comes with HD casters as default. Much as I would have liked the SD caster platform, I couldn't justify $180 on it when even the SD casters were working ok. But I went ahead and got a set of HD casters:

 

 

That's better. Now it is much easier to roll around in place and makes putting on things way easier too:

 

 

Now it's time to put on the powdercoated pieces. First up, the side panels:

 

 

I was set to save money and just have the outer sides powdercoated at first. But when I realized this wasn't going to cost as much as I though, I went with double side coating. Definitely made the right choice here I believe! Now let's add in the back and front panels and fit in a flexbay cover as well:

 

 

Hmmm.. I am glad I made that mock up in paint before. The black flexbay cover looks so out of place here:

 

 

Let's fix that up quick:

 

 

Much better. Now I know I promised close ups to better represent the powdercoat accurately, but without better lighting the camera just can't see what I can with my naked eyes. I went over to the local camera store and even they admitted that a table top "studio" was going to be my best bet. So I am going to place an order for it and it should be here pretty soon. That will allow for a lot more freedom in taking component pictures, including a little something red from EVGA for benching.

[Toxiclegend]

-snip-

 

WHIT WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

 

Loooking good!

[VSG]

Don't go by the color just yet, I have found even this looks different in different light like the Blue Speckle earlier. When direct light hits it, the Speckle part is much more obvious and it looks more white in color with spots of black. When diffused light hits, it is more of a white-pale yellow. Under typical fluorescent bulb lighting, it looks more caramel. I am pretty sure the all the speckles do this.

[VSG]

I wish I could show better how it looks in person, the texture is also very unique and makes it very dist/moisture resistant. Here are the promised close-up shots:

 

 

 

 

Also worked on the doors and got them done:

 

 

 

I realized later than I had the handles put in the wrong way. No biggie though, took all of 10 seconds to correct. The powdercoaters did a great job masking all the threads and screws. The plexi went in no problem:

 

 

Time to screw it in!

 

 

I really like the implementation here, this way one can just buy the plexi window instead of buying the whole door. It looks great the other way round as seen here with the other door:

 

 

Now on to the main case. First up, the poor frame:

 

 

Let's screw in the pedestal and add in the back panels:

 

 

Before anything else get's done, something came up that brought back memories of 2011: A Space Odyssey:

 

 

If these were bigger and shone at night, it would be nightmare worthy. Good thing they are just 2 of the 4 vandal switches going in here:

 

 

Each switch is held in place by a O-ring and a screw nut:

 

 

 

 

All done! Now time to mount this in the case:

 

 

That fit in perfectly. A few minutes later, everything is in place. Here's the money shot (or at least as good of a money shot as I can get with this lighting anyway):

 

 

No, that's not it.. Let's try again:

 

 

Ah much better. The speckle is quite prominent in person, just nowhere as much as that mock up above. Let's see it from the side now. First up, Side 1:

 

 

Don't worry about the components in there, everything other than the GPUs is going on Side 2. Speaking of which:

 

 

The GF doesn't care at all about XXL window vs XL window so I decided to go ahead with the stock door as I got it. Finally the back:

 

 

None of this will really be seen so I didn't bother getting the motherboard tray done. I was also a bit paranoid about possible shorting issues- likely an unjustified paranoia. Anyway, the case exterior is done and now I can begin putting in other components! 

[Norman_the_Owl]

Wow, that looks gorgeous!

[VSG]

You should see it in person, looks much better. I will try to get some daylight bulbs and see if that helps with the lighting.

 

Edit: 15K views

[SpyRosL]

 

 

No, that's not it.. Let's try again:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible dumb question incoming:

The finished product is not the white,right?

[VSG]

It is, but it is not white. See the close ups above, that's what it looks like in person under different light. In the final position, there will be a window right behind the case so the first close up will be more like how it will look.

 

Look at the pedestal update from yesterday for example, under dusk light with bulbs on it is more of a beige/caramel color. The shots above were from morning/afternoon light. The speckle in the powdercoat gives a different color based on the light it absorbs.

[SpyRosL]

Oh,yeah!

Looks sweet anyways

[Kittke]

:Wub: :Wub: :Wub:

Can't say anything else

[VSG]

Thanks guys, wish you could see this in person honestly! Now that the exterior is done, I can start putting things in and think about lighting inside as well.

 

Quick poll: What's the best lighting scheme for the interior- cathodes or LED strips? What color(s)?

[Kittke]

Just a normal white light but not to bright it lights up your parts and doesn't blind evrything with red or other colours

[SpyRosL]

White leds all the way.

IMO it's offensive to put colored leds in a caselabs case.

[VSG]

Ya, my first thought was white LEDs as well. But I hear Dazmode is working on a white Cathode as well. Either way, I want something that can be dimmed/brightened by voltage rather than just ON/OFF if possible.

[Kittke]

I have a multicolour led strip laying around somewhere you cann dim it etc. Evrything you Will need only thing it isn't made for computers but just ambient lighting you can buy in Ikea let me see if i can find a link else i post Some pics of it tomorrow. It could be something for you and i think it was like 20€ i used it behind my bed for 1.5 years no problem what so ever.

-EDIT- found it http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50192365/ i have something like that. I'll still post Some pics because they have really strange connectors (looks a bit like a 3pin)

Edited July 29, 2014 by Kittke

[VSG]

Pics would be great and really appreciated. I am in talks with Bitfenix to see how their Alchemy strips would work out, but I am completely open to all options at the moment.

[Toxiclegend]

Quick poll: What's the best lighting scheme for the interior- cathodes or LED strips? What color(s)?

 

I'd go LED because they would last longer. White would look pretty awesome in your build, or the same colour you're gonna do the WC loops...

 

I'm in love by the way, this thing is sexy.

[Kittke]

@VSG here are the pics (sorry for bad quality taken with an ipad.

[Toxiclegend]

@VSG here are the pics (sorry for bad quality taken with an ipad.

 

GREEEN!

[VSG]

Those do look good. I don't really need the RGB control but it's a bonus. How do you think I can hook it up internally to a PSU?

[Lays]

If you're going down the LED route, I really highly recommend icemodz LED strips, they can be plugged into any 3 pin fan header and turned off/on as well as be dimmed.  Not to mention they're bright as hell!

[Toxiclegend]

If you're going down the LED route, I really highly recommend icemodz LED strips, they can be plugged into any 3 pin fan header and turned off/on as well as be dimmed.  Not to mention they're bright as hell!

 

He says this because he's waiting for his own

[Lays]

He says this because he's waiting for his own

 

 

I already have 2 strips, had em for like 6 months now, I tried NZXT + bitfenix alchemy before hand, the icemodz are much much better.

[Kittke]

The hook up would be difficult but not impossible you just need to change the wallmount with a 8-pin or something simular but then you need to cut in the cables and void your warranty

RGB is Removable like you see in the picture