Okay guys ... I've never done a work log before, so this will probably end up being more of a series of random postings as I go through this build. I'll post all the parts I'm using sometime later ...
This is the Mountain Mods case - U2-UFO Opti-1203 in brushed Aluminum:
View from the back:
And, finally ... some perspective on just how big this case is:
I made lots of progress on Day 1 - Put the Feet on :
and yes, I did get them on the bottom of the case. The case also comes with four casters/wheels - but I plan on setting this on top of the desk, so will use the acrylics.
I put the MB, HD, and essentials in to see if everything booted - it did! But I had a problem with the EVGA 8800GTX card - it won't seat properly because the backplate sticks out too far, so I used a 7800 GTX to make sure all is well. Here are a couple of shots of the build in "test mode" - just threw it together to make sure everything was working:
What's next for Week 1? How about taking that $500 video card apart? Didn't know what I was doing, so just started unscrewing everything I could ... and here's the result:
Ewwwww... lot's of gunky stuff:
Next came an experiment to see if I could hook up 3 fans ... after some snipping/sleeving/splicing/soldering, here's my first try:
Didn't heatshrink the long piece yet, as I have to hook in the RPM wire. But, I wanted to see if it would work. Ta Da ...
I think the next one will go faster
: and look better. I used the green sleeve because I couldn't get the black stuff I had over the wires. My connections are soldered (I haven't wielded a soldering iron in over 30 years! I didn't really think those early years in the lab would come in useful at this late stage in life). It helps to have a husband who is a model train making guru who has all the tools I needed!
And, here's a preliminary mock-up for the cooling loop layout. Still working on final placement.
This is the Mountain Mods case - U2-UFO Opti-1203 in brushed Aluminum:
View from the back:
And, finally ... some perspective on just how big this case is:
I made lots of progress on Day 1 - Put the Feet on :
and yes, I did get them on the bottom of the case. The case also comes with four casters/wheels - but I plan on setting this on top of the desk, so will use the acrylics.
I put the MB, HD, and essentials in to see if everything booted - it did! But I had a problem with the EVGA 8800GTX card - it won't seat properly because the backplate sticks out too far, so I used a 7800 GTX to make sure all is well. Here are a couple of shots of the build in "test mode" - just threw it together to make sure everything was working:
What's next for Week 1? How about taking that $500 video card apart? Didn't know what I was doing, so just started unscrewing everything I could ... and here's the result:
Ewwwww... lot's of gunky stuff:
Next came an experiment to see if I could hook up 3 fans ... after some snipping/sleeving/splicing/soldering, here's my first try:
Didn't heatshrink the long piece yet, as I have to hook in the RPM wire. But, I wanted to see if it would work. Ta Da ...
I think the next one will go faster
: and look better. I used the green sleeve because I couldn't get the black stuff I had over the wires. My connections are soldered (I haven't wielded a soldering iron in over 30 years! I didn't really think those early years in the lab would come in useful at this late stage in life). It helps to have a husband who is a model train making guru who has all the tools I needed!And, here's a preliminary mock-up for the cooling loop layout. Still working on final placement.
Whatever makes you happy is great! I wish I could afford an awesome liquid cooled PC. Maybe one day I'll be up to that level in cash and skill 
