First Gaming PC Build - Corsair 200R Case Mod

[Gumba]

Hey guys,

 

I've been a long time Linus Tech Tips fan over on YouTube, and now a fan of the weekly Live Streams, especially the build logs at the end of the show. I just joined the forum and am looking forward to meeting some new people and advice on my setup. With that said, I thought I'd contribute to the community by showing my first PC build. It's been 20 years in the making and now I'm ready to show off my rig. Maybe Slick will deem it Live Stream worthy... I can have dreams can't I?  ;)

 

Anyhow, for a little backdrop on my PC Gaming history. I've been playing PC games since I was 12 years old, Windows 3.1 was the new OS and most games were still being played in DOS. This was the golden area for PC gaming with games like Sierra's Space Quest, Lucas Arts Indian Jones and SimCity dominating the scene. The PC was coming into it's own, and far superior to any console system at the time. It was a privilege to own a PC at that time and I've always stayed true to my roots since then. 

 

So here's my very first build, it's been a long time coming, but living 2 blocks from a MicroCenter definitely didn't help. For added *Bling* I modded the case with a window. I feel this added that personal touch needed to call it my own. So I called the rig the "Heart of Darkness", firstly cause it drained my wallet, and secondly cause it resembles a heart when in ambient conditions, you'll see below... but when under full load it lights up like a christmas tree and comes alive. Hope you guys enjoy, and please provide some feedback. Thanks for viewing

 

 

SPECS:

- Corsair 200R Case

- Intel i5 3570K 4.4GHz

- Gigabyte GTX 670 

- Asus P8Z77-V MOBO

- Crucial M4 128GB SSD

- 8GB Crucial Ballistix 1600MHz RAM

- Cooler Master 212 Evo CPU Cooler

- Corsair 600M PSU

 

PICS:

 

1. Under Ambient Conditions the system only runs the Red CPU Heatsink Fans, resembling a Heart

 

2. Under Full Load the system lights up and comes Alive!  

Front, Top, Rear and Bottom Blue Lighting all controlled by the Asus FanController Program

 

3. Side view of the custom Window Cutout

 

4. Closer Look of the Side Window Cutout

Cooler Master Evo 212 CPU Cooler, and Gigabyte GTX 670 

 

5. Even Closer View of the Side Window Cutout... LOL    

Making the Cutout conform to the MOBO was key to it looking visually appealing. 

 

6. Inside the Case, looking at the CPU again.

Lighting provided by Enermax Silent Fans, system runs very quiet under Full Load. 

 

7. Exhaust Fans for the CPU Cooler

 

8. One last look at the system. The mix of Red and Blue lighting works pretty well, and stands out really well through the display window. 

 

 

Thanks everyone who viewed my thread. Please provide any feedback, I'm always interested in hearing what others think. I'll update this thread with any changes, Thanks again  :)

[Scia]

Nice build.

But horrible name ^^

[sabot]

200r is one of my favorite cases and adding the window made it so much nicer. You did an amazing job with building this. Parts are good and so it the cable management. I also really like the fan colors.

[MPX309]

Nice build. . . I like the angle fan. . . I recently moved one of my fans to the bottom of the case (from infront of the drive mounts) and it's keeping my GPU about 2 degrees cooler, which is nice. 

[JoshM]

Why red and blue fans?

[Iorveth]

Nice :)

[sabot]

Why red and blue fans?

cause it looks good!

[enRodjavel]

good window mod, liked the lite extra sidecut

[SpamBrie]

How difficult was the window. Thinking of doing it myself on the 200r as well?

[JoshM]

cause it looks good!

I guess its personal preference... 

[Gumba]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I really appreciate hearing what you guys think and will update with more mods here in the future. 

 

The Angled Fan at the bottom of the case gave my graphics card added airflow over the stock bottom configuration. It also improved on the amount of dust collected in the system. It's an easy mod, get some L-Brackets, bend them 45 degrees and screw them in with a screw and bolt. 

 

The choice for Red and Blue Lighting was made after the all blue config started feeling old. I like the offset of the CPU Heatsink, and at some angles you almost get a purple color. It's a nice change up from what I had before. 

 

Cutting the window wasn't too difficult, all you need is a dremel and the right bits. I recommend making a cardboard cutout of the side panel before you even trace a design on your case. I made about 5 adjustments to my design before I drew a stencil on my case. Wear Safety Goggles 

 

Alright guys thanks again for all your input, my next project is to change the front of the case and add better intake breathing for my fans. 

[Sacred310]

Here's my custom windowed Corsair 200R side panel. I spent an afternoon constructing this work of art in my garage, incorporating one of my favorite characters, YODA!

 

http://losangeles.cr...4706231266.html

 

[dani3l99]

Here's my custom windowed Corsair 200R side panel. I spent an afternoon constructing this work of art in my garage, incorporating one of my favorite characters, YODA!

http://losangeles.cr...4706231266.html

What are the dimensions of the acrylic that you cut out? I mean the original piece of acrylic

P.S: It would look better with green LED fans for the Yoda theme, or just no LED on the fans and putting LED strips