PC Modding

I find myself wondering, just how much capital did you actually sink into that PC Modding project? 😛

Jose Lee14 said:So, how much did you actually drop on that PC Modding project? 😛

When I was messing around with that old case (link), the whole thing ended up costing me about <$67. And man, there are plenty of mods out there that cost way more than that...

I ended up dropping about $83 on paint and all those little extra supplies, plus I blew $13 just to get those 😍 wheels

placidcanyon2 said:When I attempted my own PC Modding project using an old tower (link), the total cost ended up being roughly <$67. Of course, there are many much more expensive builds out there...

It looks decent enough. 👍

...So, an idea just hit me: I want to set up a remote boot system for my rig—sort of like those remote start features you get on high-end cars. Does anyone here have any schematics, DIY guides, or actual project plans for something like this?☕

redmason said:...so I just had this idea to build a remote start for my rig (kind of like how you unlock car doors with a fob). Does anyone know any good setups or schematics for a project like this?☕

You could grab some of those 27MHz radio receivers and transmitters—you know, the kind people DIY or pull out of old RC cars, or even just buy a cheap kit online. Just wire the receiver to the 5V standby rail on the PSU (it’ll have juice as long as the machine is plugged in) and use a relay to trip the power button pins. You could even go big and do it via your phone from way further away...

placidcanyon2 said:Look, if you have any old 27MHz radio receivers or transmitters lying around—whether you're building them from scratch, scavenging parts out of old remote-controlled toy cars, or just buying some cheap pre-made module and keychain remote—you could just wire the receiver to the 5V standby rail on the motherboard. As long as your PC is configured correctly, there's always juice running through there. Then, you just use a relay to trip the power button contacts. Heck, you could even pull this off over long distances using a cell phone...

I don't have any ready-to-go receivers or transmitters sitting around at my place... what I actually need is a proper schematic so I can design a custom PCB for the transmitter and build the corresponding receiver circuit to integrate into the PC.

Alright, this might sound a bit ridiculous, but I’m planning on doing some PC Modding on an old case, and I was wondering—what tools are you guys actually using to cut the metal?

Also, how do you deal with those nasty, sharp edges left behind after you're done cutting? Does anyone actually manage to get them smooth without losing their mind?

Here’s a breakdown if you need it:
http://forum.pcekspert.com/showthread.php?t=616

Jose Lee14 said:So, how much did you drop on that PC Modding project? 😛

For my current rig (check the signature), I spent maybe $700-$$267...
back when I built it a year or two ago.

Charles Martin16 said:This might sound like a silly question, but I'm planning to do some PC Modding on an old case, and I was wondering what tools you use to cut the panels?

And won't the edges stay sharp and jagged after cutting?

Use a coping saw—get one with fine teeth—and then just hit the edges with some sandpaper to smooth them out...

Joseph Carter9 said:Use a jigsaw (grab one with the fine teeth), and just hit the edges with some sandpaper...

Man, I can't stand using a jigsaw. The vibration is just brutal and it ends up shaking the whole workpiece apart. I’ll take a Dremel or an angle grinder over it any day.

If you're gonna stick with the jigsaw though, make sure you clamp that piece down TIGHT. Maybe even brace it with some extra boards to keep it as steady as possible.

It’s actually quite helpful if you purchase plywood of the exact same dimensions and use it as a base layer; that is the method I personally employed.

So, over the summer I finally tackled my second PC Modding project—I’m a little late getting the photos posted, though... 😁 😉
The old junker
Raw finish
With the paint job
Paint and lacquer work (this mid tower actually belongs to a buddy of mine!)
Stripping the thermal paste off the GPU
Oh, and here's the breakdown: 1
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3
4
5

I'm not quite sure if these images are too huge—if they are, just let me know!

I'll be posting a much more detailed write-up over on PC Gamer in a few weeks!

placidcanyon2 said:If you’re actually going to go through with using a jigsaw, make sure you secure the workpiece damn well. Use some boards or extra bracing to keep it as rigid as humanly possible during the cut.

And for heaven's sake, tape some fabric to the bottom of the jigsaw blade—specifically that area circled in the photo—so you don't end up scratching the glass or metal surface.

I've got a sweet modded CM690 case myself, haha
btw your build is sick, Joseph Carter9, especially love that ZEX sticker 👍

And mine isn't exactly some high-end masterpiece of PC Modding either 🙂. I swapped out the handle, installed a different mesh panel, and added five blue LEDs for the fans. Next on the list? New casters, and I’m planning to make the side panel open just like a door 😁. ... Here are a few shots
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CASE: Cooler Master Black Ammo 533 MID

Nice... what exactly is going on inside there?

Just a mid-range setup here, running smoothly on the office network. 🙂

Does anyone actually know where I can pick up a Thermaltake V9 around here? If it’s not available locally, maybe check a US web shop or eBay. Thanks.

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