PC Mod: Minecraft Creeper Case Build Log #2

Introduction

In my previous post, I talked about a concept idea I have for my first PC mod. This PC probably isn't going to be based on a brand-new PC, as I do have a lot of parts laying around that I could probably use to build this. My main gaming rig has an XFX 780i NVidia motherboard in it, as shown below:

My XFX 780i motherboard

And with the wicked green colour theme I think that would look great in the case. Although, the board is very black, ideally I’d want a good 50% to be green. But we shall see how things go. I’m still a way off fitting things.

3D Model

I've managed to convert my very primitive drawing into a 3D mock up, which I think looks half decent, although I will admit my Sketch-Up-Fu skills are sincerely lacking (I can't even remember how to make a curved pipe!!), but I think it gets the point and general idea across right?


 

So what we can see here is that the outer shell is going to be a tall oblong with a square horizontal profile. I did see a case made by Silverstone called the TF-03 Mini. It is very similar shape, the only problem is that it is design for Mini-ITX motherboards, all my motherboards are ATX (especially the 780i shown above). My big challenge internally is where to put the PSU. Initially my thoughts were to put it “up top” as shown in the picture behind the creeper face, but I’m thinking I might be able to keep it low and try and make it look like a stack of TNT somehow.

The water-cooling piping – that is going to try to be the guts of the creeper so I’m torn between green piping or clear with green coolant. Especially if I can get UV reactive  that would look good. I want to fully water cool the whole thing the CPU and the GPU. If it is possible to get water blocks for the motherboard that would look really good.

I’ve almost got myself convinced that I will have to make custom length cables, certainly if I want to try and keep them hidden.

Whilst reading my favourite PC site (www.custompc.co.uk) I came across a review for the Silverstone TF-03 Mini (http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2012/09/28/silverstone-ft03-mini-review/1) and whilst reading it I came across a very inspiring image for the design of my case, I stole it from the review:

Silverstone TF-03 Mini case

Seeing this seems like a logical design for my case. My idea is to keep it simple and just use thumbscrews that are colour matched so that they blend in well and the great thing is that it will mean that each panel can come off independently of the others I think for neatness the front panel should be held in place by the side panels. So my idea is that the thumb screw of the side panels would first go through the side panel, then through a lip of the front panel before finally screwing into some framework.

I had wondered whether building up a framework would be needed, but it seems like the only logical design – how else do you really give good support to the motherboard for instance?

Right, thats all for now folks
Ciao for now!