Phantom 410 full window side panel mod.

[destroyer8769]

Hi LTT forum,

 

So, I was wondering, why should I not be able to look completely into my case, the actual pc is a thing of beauty. So why hide it? This got me thinking, why don't I mod it so I can see it all. So here's my question, how hard would this be, what would iI need and has anyone else done it so I can see the results? I have got no prior case modding experience so would this be too hard to attempt? What are your thoughts?

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

P.S

Something like this

[W-L]

Hi LTT forum,

 

So, I was wondering, why should I not be able to look completely into my case, the actual pc is a thing of beauty. So why hide it? This got me thinking, why don't I mod it so I can see it all. So here's my question, how hard would this be, what would iI need and has anyone else done it so I can see the results? I have got no prior case modding experience so would this be too hard to attempt? What are your thoughts?

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

P.S

Something like this

 

If you want to attempt it I would suggest making everything and draw out your cut lines and use a dremel or rotary tool to cut it out, using a reinforced cutting disc. The important thing is to cut away from the line and afterwards use a file to bring it close to it and straighten out the cut lines to get a very nice crisp cut. You will need to however re-paint or touch up the edge there you cut to hide the exposed metal. 

 

I did this with my Corsair 650D with no issues just be really patient when working.

[Warren Pnigel]

I've recently decided to do something similar - mine's a phantom too, although its a 240. You could get a local glass cutting company to cut a sheet of glass to the dimensions of the side panel, and it would be more scratch resistant than acrylic. However it would probably look something like this: http://cdn5.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/inwin-904.jpg. This method would be a lot easier and cleaner than cutting through the original side panel, and you could always keep the original side panel as a spare. I don't know if that's what your going for, but please share your progress because there are others who are interested in this sort of thing too, including myself!

[destroyer8769]

I've recently decided to do something similar - mine's a phantom too, although its a 240. You could get a local glass cutting company to cut a sheet of glass to the dimensions of the side panel, and it would be more scratch resistant than acrylic. However it would probably look something like this: http://cdn5.thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/inwin-904.jpg. This method would be a lot easier and cleaner than cutting through the original side panel, and you could always keep the original side panel as a spare. I don't know if that's what your going for, but please share your progress because there are others who are interested in this sort of thing too, including myself!

Hi, thanks for the input, I am mainly thinking about something like this (the one in black) (see badly edited pic below). which one do you prefer, black or red? Do you think it will be too hard to do successfully for a beginner, or is it achievable? (this will be decided on if its happening within this week, and the progress will be uploaded soon after.)

 

---edit---

 

I'm thinking about this (it looks kind of like this when on)

[Warren Pnigel]

I think this is definitely achievable. All you would have to do, is use a dremel or something similar to cut out most of the side panel where the window would be. You'd then just file down to the window outline, and paint it so that it didnt look strange. You could then just attach a rectangle piece of glass or acrylic or something to the inside of the panel. It would look pretty ghetto from the inside if you used tape or glue, but it would work and look great from the outside. 

Some of the steps in this video are applicable to what you have in mind, especially the attachment of the glass. 

[Warren Pnigel]

Btw, I prefer the black area as it will show of more of your motherboard, cpu and graphics card ect; all the pretty components. If you choose the red area it will just show the hard drive cages, depending on where they are in the case.

[destroyer8769]

Btw, I prefer the black area as it will show of more of your motherboard, cpu and graphics card ect; all the pretty components. If you choose the red area it will just show the hard drive cages, depending on where they are in the case.

I was meaning that either the black, or the red and black, essentially if I should have the window larger or smaller (sorry, should of clarified.)

[Warren Pnigel]

Haha okay sorry for the misconception. I think you should go with the red and black. However, if you are hopeless with cable management, it might look tidier if you go with just the black. In general the red and black would make the whole thing seem bigger. My side panel is pretty much just the black, and I sort of dislike it. It's okay though because until i get a modular power supply, the cables are all bunched up in the spare hdd bays.

[destroyer8769]

Yeah, my cable management isn't too bad, I'll research more to come up with a conclusion, and I'll probably run a blue led strip around the window to show off my components (very dark atm)(I've got the black with blue led phantom 410).