[Build Log] Project Circuit - Watercooled Define S

[MadPolygon]

Didn't have the time to make a new profile pic .

Buuuut, I ordered a Proxxon 240/E and a lot of other stuff like more plexiglas, 3mm leds, which I will eventually use to illuminate the pump and cpu block and some other tools .

[MadPolygon]

 

Seems like its christmas again

 

 

Proxxon FBS 240/E; polishing paste; Knipex flush cutter; different sizes of plexiglas; heatshrink; leds and resistors ( you can never have enough of those  )

 

The mentioned proxxon

 

Here you can see the plexiglass which will be used for the SSD tray. Obviously the edges aren't polished and the protective cover is still on it, which is why colors look a bit weird.

 

Tomorrow I should get the router addon for the proxxon as well as the  matte black vinyl wrap

[rmac52]

How do you like the define s?  how does the top look with the vent covers removed?

I am looking for a new case to replace my Frankenstein 600t.  I want to be able to use my 2 360mm rads.

It looks like you got 2 360 mm rads in there no problem.  How is the clearance between the rads?

[MadPolygon]

5 hours ago, rmac52 said:

How do you like the define s?  how does the top look with the vent covers removed?

I am looking for a new case to replace my Frankenstein 600t.  I want to be able to use my 2 360mm rads.

It looks like you got 2 360 mm rads in there no problem.  How is the clearance between the rads?

 

It's a pretty good case, especially for the price. There isn't really anything that I wish the case had, which isn't something special that would only find use in a few special cases.

You can fit 2x 360mm rads in there but it depends on their thickness and propaby length (I don't think you could fit 2 360 crossflow rads) and you have to most likely position the in/outlets at the back and bottom. Best is you have a look at the manual where the watercooling setups are described (starting page 17). Here's a screenshot: 

 

I'm not using 2 360, but instead 1x 360 (38mm thick) and 1x 240 (38mm thick), both are EK PE.

 

The top witout the covers looks ok, nothing special. I'm gonna make a cover for the gap between the top radiator and mainboard tray to give it a cleaner look.

[MadPolygon]

First try wrapping the SSD in vinyl. Not perfect, but for the first time pretty good I think. The edges could be improved with a bit more heat the next time I think .

 

[MadPolygon]

 

Nothing special, just solderd two red LEDs to see how it looks. I have some white ones too, will then see which ones look better. Same will be done for the pump.

[MadPolygon]

Updated first post and index... finally

 

I also got a package in the mail today with some electronic stuff, more to come . Don't want to say too much, but I hope to take the LED lighting to another level, if my plans work out of course .

 

   

[The Cool n00B]

At least those aren't the shitty pink antistatic bags.

 

 

[MadPolygon]

I propably wouldn't care if something would be damaged, it was damn cheap anyway .

 

Gonna watch that video later, seems interesting .

[Snooli]

+1 for DIY RGB lights. Did you buy them from china? (which shop? I use aliexpress)

[MadPolygon]

I got them from a german ebay seller. It was a bit more expensive, but I didn't want to wait weeks to start tinkering

 

I bought some milling bits today so I can start working at the SSD tray tomorrow 

[Snooli]

I am toying with the idea of bolting large plexi panels together with smaller pieces 3D printed. But it seems like a waste building a custom case for a Core2Duo.

Anyway, if you will be creating your own RGB ligting, you should release the source to the LTT community and see what arises. However, you don't seem to be building it on the Arduino platform. What is it then?

[MadPolygon]

I mean if you can pull it off go for it. I could imagine if you lay everything out well enough and build a rigid structure, that you can keep that case for a long time. And if you have a fun time doing it I don't think it's a waste .

 

I'm not gonna say anything for now, to afraid it won't work out and I don't want to tease things I can't deliver later on. The functionality that I got with the arduino setup as of now should be fairly easy to replicate and improve. However, I want to take it further in terms of features and since I'm still waiting for the new stuff to arrive, I can't really comment on it . If it doesn't work out I'm gonna fall back on the arduino...

[MadPolygon]

 

 

Here are the milling bits

 

The Proxxon with the router addon attached

 

After cutting the plexi to the right size I milled the notch on a leftover piece

 

 

LEDs fit nicely

 

 

Here's the notch on the "real" piece of plexi 

 

Removed the protective film and washed it to get rid of dirt from grinding and so on

 

 

After that I wrapped the top surface

  

 

And now in action together with LEDs

  

[The Cool n00B]

47 minutes ago, MadPolygon said:

snip

badass.

[MadPolygon]

Thanks 

 

I'm wondering if sanding the top and bottom surface would help to hide those light spots 

[MadPolygon]

 

Here we go again

 

Today I made a cover for the rear IO area. This time it's made from 2mm thick plexi, cut to size, sanded the edges, bent it and wrapped it in vinyl. It took way longer than intended after I ruined the first piece . But that's the way it is .

 

 

 

 

When I start bending tubes and disassemble my pc, I'll try to take some better photos, maybe a before/after comparison :).

 

That's it for today, have a nice sunday

[Snooli]

20 hours ago, MadPolygon said:

Thanks 

 

I'm wondering if sanding the top and bottom surface would help to hide those light spots 

I think it won't. But can you make the notch deeper? Spacing the LEDs out should help. Also sanding the LEDs themselves should help, just dont go too harsh on them.

[MadPolygon]

I think I'll try sanding the LEDs first 

[The Cool n00B]

10/10 on the new profile pic

[MadPolygon]

Thank @Snooli, he recolored the old one

[MadPolygon]

Got the last electronic parts today (at least  think they're the last ). So at the Weekend I can hopefully tinker around with that stuff.

 

Breadboards, jumper wires, ir remote (just to play around a bit), level converters, pins, etc.

 

WIFI ?! Yes WIFI ! Maybe someone recognizes the chip 

[Snooli]

Uh, What's the point of the remote? Whenever I am using my computer, I am within half a meter of it.

What am I missing here?

[MadPolygon]

I just ordered it with the other stuff, because it was cheap xD. I won't use it in this project.

[MadPolygon]

So you guys propably thought this build is dead... but it's not .

I'm still missing the gpu block, but it should arrive soon, just like my sleeving equipment (if you got some suggestions for sleeving patterns let me know ).

Today I drained my old loop, it was a bit of a hassle because I didn't have a drain valve, but in the end everything was fine. No problems with gunk or something else. CPU block almost looks like new and those few spots that were visible, were easily removed with nevr dull.

This week I also got some packages with pass-through fittings and some tools like the monsoon bending kit .