Chiaki - Heavily Modified Lian Li PC-TU 100

[Regi572]

Hello Folks!  I was suggested to post here by a coworker, so let's start my time here on LTT Forums with a case mod!

The build log for this project was first posted on Overclock.net, so if you all are interested in reading through the project, here is a link the build log.

DISCLAIMER: The text for this post originally is copy/pasted from PCPartPicker.

 

Ever had that one piece of hardware that was "love at first sight"? And then the more that you looked at it, and the more you got to know it, it was just riddled with flaws, but you still had to have it anyway?

That is what happened to me with the Lian Li PC-TU 100.

 

 

I discovered this case a few years back in a youtube video from the late TekSyndicate. I knew at that moment that I had to have it. This lead me to becoming a regular visitor and co-maintainer of the OCN PC-TUX00 Owner's Club, long before I even owned this case. Through many conversations that were had between other owners, I learned about the inherent flaws of this case:

• Little to No GPU Ventilation
• 60mm CPU Heatsink Restriction
• No Inherent Exhaust Fans

With this in mind, I began looking into several Club members' build logs for inspiration - This one included.

I finally managed to get my hands on this case last September, and once I was able to give it a thorough examination, I began planning for this build. Throughout my planning, and regular ebay searching, I stumbled into Athena Power AP-MFATX40 400W Flex-ATX PSU, on ebay for $40. This PSU is what really brought the entire build together. (Note: This is not the PSU I ended up using.)

My goal for this build was to modify the Heck out of this case, to make it as functional and beautiful as most modern cases, while maintaining as much of the stock Lian-Li aesthetic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total complete list of mods include the following:

• Flex-ATX PSU Mounted to Roof of Case
• PSU Cables Shortened and Sleeved
• AC PSU Pass-through Cable Added to Case
• Full Tower Heatsink Installed
• Exhaust Fans Added to Rear of Case
• GPU Intake Fans Added to Bottom of Case
• Replaced Case Feet with Taller Milled-Aluminum Feet
• Side Panel Window Added
• Front Intake Grill and Power Button Replaced
• Removed the Ugly "Pro Gaming" Sticker from the Motherboard
• RGB Lighting Added to Case

As you can see, the build was a success! This is my first ever case mod, so I learned a lot in regards to machining and other case modding skills. I have been working on this project after work, every day, since December 25th, where I finally finished on January 21st. A lot of time, sweat and blood has been poured into this build, and I hope it shows.

 

If you all have any questions about the build, please let me know and I will do my best to answer them!

 

 

 

[Regi572]

Here is a detailed parts list, for anyone that is curious!

 

Spoiler

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $0.00)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! PURE ROCK SLIM CPU Cooler 120W ($20.00)
Motherboard: Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard (Purchased For $0.00)
Memory: Kingston FURY 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory (Purchased For $79.00)
Storage: Samsung 950 PRO 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive (Purchased For $229.00)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano 4GB Video Card (Purchased For $360.00)
Case: Lian-Li PC-TU100B Mini ITX Tower Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: Athena Power 400W 80+ Bronze Certified Mini ITX Power Supply (Purchased For $45.00)

Case Fan: Noctua NF-A9x14 29.7 CFM 92mm Fan (Purchased For $0.00)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A9x14 29.7 CFM 92mm Fan (Purchased For $0.00)
Case Fan: Noiseblocker NB-BlackSilent Fan PM-2 40mm x 20mm (Purchased For $14.95)
Case Fan: Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-92 24.6 CFM 92mm Fan (Purchased For $0.00)
Case Fan: Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-60 20.0 CFM 60mm Fan (Purchased For $0.00)
Case Fan: Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-60 20.0 CFM 60mm Fan (Purchased For $0.00)
Case Fan: Fractal Design GP12-WT 52.3 CFM 120mm Fan (Purchased For $0.00)

Monitor: ViewSonic XG2401 23.6" 144Hz Monitor (Purchased For $239.99)
Keyboard: MK Disco RGB LED Backlit TKL Mechanical Keyboard (KBT Brown Switch) (Purchased For $100.00)
Mouse: Razer Mamba Tournament Edition Wired Laser Mouse (Purchased For $65.99)
Sound Card: Schiit Fulla 2 (Purchased For $99.99)
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm Studio Headphones w/ Hard Case (Purchased For $160.00)
Other: Antlion Audio ModMic Attachable Boom Microphone - Noise Cancelling with Mute Switch (Purchased For $54.99)
Other: Razer Firefly - Cloth Gaming Mouse Mat (Purchased For $59.99)

Other: Phanteks PH-CB-Y4P 4.3" 4 Pin PWM- Y Splitter Fan Cable (Purchased For $5.98)
Other: Philmore 3.5mm Gold Plated Stereo Snap-In Panel Mount Phone Jack (Purchased For $8.95)
Other: Ugreen Gold Plated 3.5mm 1/8" Male to 6.35mm 1/4" Male TRS Stereo Audio Cable (3ft) (Purchased For $8.99)
Other: Grifiti Chiton Fat 14 6" x 15" Neoprene Keyboard Sleeve (Purchased For $14.98)
Other: Zeskit 4', 3.5mm, Braided Nylon Stereo Audio Cable (Male to Male) (Purchased For $5.99)
Other: COCOFU Micro USB Cable,3FT 6FT 10FT Nylon Braided Micro USB Cable(Black+Gray)(3Pack) (Purchased For $8.85)
Other: 60mm Black Finger Grill / Guard (Pack of 4) (Purchased For $8.50)
Other: Xbox Wireless Controller and Play & Charge Kit Bundle (Purchased For $74.99)

Other: 3M Scotch Heavy Duty Mounting Tape, Clear (4010) (Purchased For $5.43)
Other: 6ft - U-channel edge molding for PC panel mod windows (Purchased For $3.99)
Other: ModMyToys 3-Pin Power Distribution PCB - 3-Way Block (plus 3-pin Female-to-Female 12") (Purchased For $11.13)
Other: M1 Single-G mini PC Case Feet - Silver (Purchased For $24.99)
Other: Smoked Tinted Transparent Cast Acrylic Sheet 12" x 12" x 0.118" (1/8") Gray (Purchased For $9.75)
Other: 44 Keys Mini IR Remote Controller for 3528 & 5050 RGB LED Strip Lights - US (Purchased For $3.75)
Other: Vandal Resistant Illuminated Momentary Switch - Silver - 18/16mm - White Ring (Purchased For $11.95)
Other: x50 - Female ATC Terminals (Purchased For $2.95)
Other: 8-pin PCIE Female Connector - Black (Purchased For $0.59)
Other: 24-pin ATX Female Connector - Black (Purchased For $0.59)
Other: Black MDPC-X Small Sleeve (50ft) (Purchased For $14.98)
Other: Original MOLEX Pinremover - MDPC-X Edition (Purchased For $19.99)
Other: MDPC-X Crimp Tool (Purchased For $47.99)
Other: IEC 320 C14 Male Plug (Purchased For $0.99)
Other: IEC C13 C14 Male Female Inline Chassis Socket Plug Rewireable Power Connector (Purchased For $2.46)
Other: 120mm Overkill "Ring" PC Fan Grill (Purchased For $0.00)
Other: Modder's Mesh PC Fan Grill (Purchased For $0.00)

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/b/NNGG3C

This build is currently featured on the front page of PCPartPicker, which is very exciting for me!

[MrMcMuffinJr]

what does chiaki mean.

[Mr.Meerkat]

That's a pretty nice looking build you got dere...

 

I think I need to find a handle for my Lian Li PC-Q21A  

Pretty happy with it except how the clips holding the side panel has come off 3 times now

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, MrMcMuffinJr said:

what does chiaki mean.

In the title

 

Heavily Modified Lian Li PC-TU 100

[Guest]

One quetsion: how heavy is it

[Regi572]

3 minutes ago, MrMcMuffinJr said:

what does chiaki mean.

It's the name of a character from a VN series.  My girlfriend picked out the name.

 

4 minutes ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

That's a pretty nice looking build you got dere...

 

I think I need to find a handle for my Lian Li PC-Q21A  

Pretty happy with it except how the clips holding the side panel has come off 3 times now

Thanks! A lot of handle mods I have see have essentially just been adding a furniture handle.  Shouldn't be too challenging to add.

In regards to the clips, I am fairly certain Lian Li sells replacement clips. They aren't too hard to replace if you can get your hands on them!

 

1 minute ago, deXxterlab97 said:

One quetsion: how heavy is it

 

I would estimate ~5 lbs.  I will have to verify this after work this afternoon.

[jonnylaw13]

thats the way! mod it to hell or high water! you i like lol but i have to ask.. finished? i dont understand this word, i thought it was "mod until you cant stand looking at it any longer" that MNPCtech fan bezel looks absolutely massive on that case.. and i love it!

[Regi572]

13 hours ago, jonnylaw13 said:

thats the way! mod it to hell or high water! you i like lol but i have to ask.. finished? i dont understand this word, i thought it was "mod until you cant stand looking at it any longer" that MNPCtech fan bezel looks absolutely massive on that case.. and i love it!

Pretty much that.  The last week of working on the project was just redoing the new PSU.  I was getting very frustrated and was starting to make stupid mistakes. To be honest though, the only way this PC is going to be updated in the future is when something craps out.  Maintenance on this PC is hell.

 

Thank you!

[jonnylaw13]

5 hours ago, Regi572 said:

Pretty much that.  The last week of working on the project was just redoing the new PSU.  I was getting very frustrated and was starting to make stupid mistakes. To be honest though, the only way this PC is going to be updated in the future is when something craps out.  Maintenance on this PC is hell.

 

Thank you!

i would have to paint it, but thats just me. im getting new fans for mine and im not looking forward to install because of the nightmare of wiring for the custom switches and light so i get ya!