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Post by HackJoe on Aug 22, 2010 10:49:35 GMT
Exceptional! I've actually been banging my head at this stage for a few weeks. the problem being the 120mm fan doesn't give the rear IO panel enough room to fit a factory (Lian-Li) motherboard tray and back panel (M-ATX). I've resulted to designing a one off back panel in Sketch-up and having it fabricated.
From what case did you find that part pal?
good work!
J.
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Post by HackJoe on Aug 27, 2010 12:56:10 GMT
Mini update, I've placed an order for some more Bitspower fittings and received the drawings for my own custom rear mobo bracket for the Mac Pro. using a Lian-Li M-ATX mobo tray/IO I've removed the rear section and designed a new one to fit the shape and size of the Mac Pro. Mac Pro = 5 PCI slots M-ATX = 4, so my rear bracket accommodates to ensure the cut out space from the 5th PCi slot on the case is covered by the bracket. The original Lian-Li part (seen in the second photo) will then be re-attached to the new part the same way it would its original counter-part and the lot will then be powder coated to match. The Lian-Li part will be modded slightly too as the IO part is too wide to fit the Mac Pro (the rear 120mm fan is in the way) the bracket is designed with this in mind. ... (Helps having a 1-1 scale print out) ... I've also chosen to have the center sections of the Mac Pro case Sprayed Black like the rest (suggested by a few of you here) the mod will now be ALL BLACK, externally and internally. I'm trying to make a push to complete this mod in time for the Crysis2 release (I like to have a goal to work too). Hope you all like the new all black idea. I figured, I've already mounted a great big RAD on the roof may as well do it all black and set it apart from the original Mac Pro look (yet keeping is full stock internal look only fully watercooled). J.
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Post by aquamac on Aug 29, 2010 14:06:06 GMT
Looking good hackjoe, When will you get the centre sections sprayed, guess you have to get the above fitted first.
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Post by HackJoe on Aug 29, 2010 16:03:09 GMT
Yeah, I'm still waiting on the fan shrouds from ChilledPC to come back and a quote on the above piece, once I have the above item modded and fitted I'll send the center two parts to the sprayers, not sure yet how to remove the power button... need to look into that pretty soon.
J.
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Post by HackJoe on Sept 3, 2010 10:28:28 GMT
I got my custom shrouds back today, it feels good getting on with some more of the build. I'm taking them into work with me today to talk with the engineers about the grills that will slot into the shrouds. Once I have the grills they will all be going for some powder coating. ... ... ... ... The shrouds leave a 5mm space (see last photo above) to slot in the grill which will fit flush and have a 7mm gap between the blades and the holes. The grills will be milled from a blocks of Alu, I'm hoping to film the process. ( The grills have been changed from the below design to match the Mac Pro and as such be less restrictive). ...
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Post by aquamac on Sept 3, 2010 18:37:20 GMT
Lookin nice Joe, where will these sit? As there are 3 of them I guess on top of your rad. This is a true labour of love!!
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Post by HackJoe on Sept 3, 2010 19:30:14 GMT
Cheers, There are actually six of them! I'm going push and pull, the idea being to smarten up the look of the Rad, bring it more in line with the style of the Mac Pro. My envisioning is that of a muscle car engine, how the engine on some models comes out the bonnet and sucks in the air. My Mac Pro will be all high gloss black with a dirty big Rad mounted on the roof as thou to make a statement. All the fittings are top quality and the tubing all Tygon. I want it to have a look of 'Style on steroids'. The externally routed tubing like thick vains on muscle builders arms. hahaha I've had a drink.... lol.... It's gonna rock! J.
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Post by aquamac on Sept 5, 2010 19:27:30 GMT
Can't wait to see it!
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Post by HackJoe on Sept 10, 2010 17:44:53 GMT
A couple quick shots guys showing the IO fab, both parts need some mod as its a tight fit round that 120mm fan hole. ... The original bracket next to mine. ... Just to show how the 5th PCI slot is covered by the fab. ... Once it's had a paint job it should like rather nice.
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Post by HackJoe on Sept 10, 2010 19:56:55 GMT
How do you think tezzarist was able to take the Mac Pro PCI bracket off? I've tried a heat gun, soldering iron and a HAMMER! :-p
J.
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Post by HackJoe on Sept 12, 2010 16:40:45 GMT
Weekend updateI wasn't able to get much done yesterday as my girlfriend was down from Uni. So, Dropped her off nice and early and this is what I've achieved today. ... Dremeled across the contact points then lifted it with a flat head screw driver. ... It all popped off along where I'd cut, pretty cleanly. .. once I'd gone round it on the three sides it lifted. ... I hadn't noticed these pop rivets... opps, drilled them out and off it came. ... Fitting my fabrication... Used the backside of a box and some quick clamps to secure the case panel to my desk (whilst I watched J.J Abram's Star Trek). ... Cut out the centre piece and started measuring up how best to fit my PCI bracket. ... Cut away more from the right hand side about 3mm. I also had to cut a slither from right of the 120mm fan space. ... Cut away another 3mm from the top left part. ... Clamped up the Lian-Li part and removed the IO panel edge as there isnt enough room to mount as is, with the 120mm fan being where it is. ... I had to then take another 2mm from the far right and another 1mm from the top left as I'd not taken into account how the lian-li part fitted to my fab. ... My fab then dropped into place with a near perfect fit, happy days. ... I need to file down everywhere I've cut and the fab still has its plastic seal on the back side. I've not drilled and attached the the Lian-Li part to my fab yet so to get a feel for the fit I taped them together and placed it in position. ... The bottom end will be bent to match the curve of the case. I've not decided yet if I'll cut away at the edge that overlaps the 120mm fan as it doesn't appear to hinder how the fan is fitted and once everything is black I'm sure it would be hard to notice. However... like I said.. I've not decided. Just needs cutting away a little then filing down to match the circle space. ... I'm going to drop the PCI bracket down a few mm from where it is in that photo. this is just a quick shot to show the fit. Still needs some clean up but on the whole I'm chuffed. J.
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Post by aquamac on Sept 12, 2010 19:15:32 GMT
Hi Joe,
Coming on nicely, this is one of the hardest areas to sort. Are you going to curve the bottom to fit the contours of the case? That would look pretty cool.
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Post by HackJoe on Sept 12, 2010 21:05:11 GMT
Hi Joe, Coming on nicely, this is one of the hardest areas to sort. Are you going to curve the bottom to fit the contours of the case? That would look pretty cool. I am indeed, its 1mm alu so its rather soft.. J.
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Post by HackJoe on Oct 2, 2010 11:58:44 GMT
All water fittings received! CPU and MOBO ordered.
J.
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Post by HackJoe on Oct 26, 2010 14:21:39 GMT
Another update peeps, check these out. The Render: ... The product: ... Everything is off to ChilledPC tomorrow for a paint job. In a couple weeks this build will finally be complete. J.
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