PC Modding

What kind of vibe are you going for with this PC modding project? What gear are we working with here—what case are you using, and what’s the actual budget for all this?

I was actually thinking about picking up some metallic silver spray paint (the high-gloss stuff) to coat the interior components. Regarding that lacquer finish I did on my rig, honestly, the results were incredible. I applied three thick layers, and now the thing shines like it’s been coated in liquid pearl 🙂, and you could practically scrape at it with a screwdriver and wouldn't even leave a scratch.

So, the case is already painted. Right now, I’m working on cutting out the plexiglass panels and drilling some extra holes for the vents. I’ve already finished the handle and a few other bits... If anyone has any bright ideas on how to design a panel for the potentiometers, let me know. Also, does anyone know where I can pick up some quality potentiometers around here?

Joseph Carter9 said:So, what’s the actual game plan for the PC modding? What are you working with—what kind of case are we talking about, and how much are you actually looking to drop on this?

I was honestly thinking about grabbing some metallic silver spray paint—the super high-gloss stuff—just to coat the interior. Regarding that clear coating I did on my rig, man, it turned out incredible; I put on three layers and now it shines like a polished porcelain vase 🙂, and you could practically take a screwdriver to it and still not leave a single scratch.

Yeah, one day I might just go full crimson with my build, maybe that obnoxious bright red or that loud Halloween orange.

Casey Williams5 said:The chassis is already painted, so that’s settled. Right now, I’m busy cutting plates out of plexiglass and drilling extra holes for the vents. I managed to fabricate a handle and a few other bits, too. If anyone has any bright ideas on how to design a custom plate for the potentiometers, please let me know. Also, does anyone know where I can actually pick up some potentiometers around here?

You might find something at Micro Center, though the selection isn't exactly massive, and even Hobby Lobby won't have much to offer you.
Where did you "borrow" the design for that handle from—did you just strip it off some online blueprint?

I went with stainless steel for the handle and gave the case a bright red paint job.

Here is my current rig

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I am planning on installing a fan speed controller! Here is some extra info regarding this controller. Also, how should I handle the cable management? What should I use to wrap them so they don't look messy?

That fan controller is going for $12 over at Phoenix in Chicago.

Henry Thompson66 said:Here's my rig

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I'm thinking about throwing in a fan speed controller so check out this info on controllers... also, how do I deal with all this cable mess? What should I use to wrap them up so they don't look like a total disaster?

man, you could've just posted fewer pics
nah, i'm just sitting here waiting for a full K to load them all up...

hollowgull5 said:you could have opted for fewer images
and here I am, waiting for an entire gigabyte of data just to render a single page

I mean, surely you aren't still stuck on a dial-up connection? If you actually had broadband, those images would be loading instantly, wouldn't they?
🙂🙂

hollowgull5 said:you could have used fewer images
man, I'm just sitting here waiting for a full K resolution upload to even finish loading

Back when I was shooting with my old digital camera at medium resolution

What should I do about cable management—what kind of ties should I use to wrap them up? And where can I pick up a fan grill around Washington, D.C.?

You don't actually need to go through all that trouble cable managing; just pull the motherboard out and you can tuck most of them behind it.

But what I'm really curious about is that bottom vent... did you have to drill a hole for it, or did you just set it up to blow air straight out?

Joshua Davis18 said:You don't actually need to go through all that trouble cable managing everything; just pull the motherboard out and you can tuck quite a few of them right behind it!

I was actually wondering about that bottom vent... Are you planning on drilling a hole for it, or did you just install it as-is to let it breathe?

I actually ended up only partially driving the screws in and used some small cardboard spacers to bridge the gap. This kept the distance between the chassis and the fan at exactly 3mm, which successfully bumped my airflow up to a much better 120mm!

Henry Thompson66 said:I actually ended up half-threading the screws and using some cardboard spacers to get a 3mm gap between the case and the fan, which gave me a much better 120mm clearance.

I pulled a similar DIY stunt today myself😁 and honestly, it looks killer.

If the weather holds up tomorrow, I might just grab some spray paint and go full custom by coating the inside of the rig in this obnoxious, bright neon red.😍

Alright, I've just installed a 120mm fan and added another neon light—though it'll only fit right in the center. My next move is to cut out a window on the side panel in about two or three weeks; I'm planning to reuse the mesh leftover from the cut. I'll post some photos soon to show you what the final look might be like. Here are shots of the new fan and the neon light. Just a heads up, there isn't a potentiometer 😢
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The side panel as it looks now
How the side panel will look in the future
Photos of the new fan and neon light

Well, I see there are actually some decent mods available here, so I thought I would take a moment to recommend this specific website and its community forum to you all.

http://www.cro-modding.com/

Joshua Davis18 said:If it doesn't rain tomorrow, I might just go ahead and spray paint my PC interior
bright red—like, blindingly neon red 😍

everything will be painted, and I'll be left looking like a giant red blob myself 😁

Where are the pictures???

Pics please 😬

Hey, it's pouring rain here so I'm stuck inside, but I'll be on once it lets up😁

Actually, it's starting to dry out a bit with this breeze. Honestly, the setup looks like something straight out of a Ferrari showroom

Oh, please. Let us actually witness this supposed 500-horsepower beast once and for all... hahaha😉