********* PHINIX CUBE ******** - DONE !!! FINAL PICTURES !!! enjoy... :)

[phinix]

Hello everyone !!!
This is the worklog of my new / first project, I called it PHINIX CUBE. I will TRY to create a new SFF case, based on plexiglass. This thread is my Worklog.
Please comment anything - it will be very helpful !!!  Thanks and I hope it will be fun for all of us:-)



THE BEGINNING


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"There was an idea…"

My project will be based on acrylic case. Everyone knows full ATX acrylic cases from Sunbeam, Antec or Gigabyte. But I wanted to have a smaller case, sth near to SFF case that I have now – Sugo SG01evo. Since I made my move to SFF world by buying Shuttle SN25P I decided to never go back to full tower cases and stay with those little beauties. So decided to build my own mATX acrylic case from scratch. After a few hours of consideration I concluded that difference between ATX and mATX case is now so big – Ash already tried to put full ATX mobo in Sugo case, so I thought – why not? Why not to build acrylic case that takes ATX mobo but still be small enough to call it SFF?


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"Inspiration…"

I would like to do sth like this mod, which is IMHO a state of art…



The idea is to make sth like that but using SFF case... or making a sff case...

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"Already made…"

After another few hours of searching on internet of sources of materials for my project I found it… Someone already thought about making that kind of case! Well it is not exactly what I wanted to build, but it will still be a mod !!!
So the base will be… SUNBEAM UFO ACRYLIC CUBE CASE.

Sunbeam website: http://www.sunbeamtech.com/index-2.html

Some pics of Cube case:



There are also acrylic cases from Gigabyte or Danger Den, but they all too big - I want sth small...

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"Second thoughts…"

Well.. When I studied this chassis I have notices many cons :

•    Position of 120mm fans is not accurate – just installation of any card will interrupt air flow between them. Solve: fans should be mounted on other walls.
•    Height of first floor is to high compare to second – it could be better to switch heights – making second with mobo higher to fit high zalman cpu coolers, PLUS SLI bridge wont fit in this case (not every bridge, for example Asus)
•    PSU can lie down – not on its side, it will reduce height of first level and overall  size of the case.
•    There is also an idea how to place a mobo – with I/O panel on the back – that means case will be a little bit wider.



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"Final question…"

So there is my question – is it worth to mod this UFO case or better idea is to build my own from scratch? Maybe better idea would be to mod Sunbeam case? I could use some parts from it and change panels, which would be easy… I’ll need to think about it for a while…
Anyway, I'm getting a mortgage on Monday and will buy a house this or next week, so please don't expect me to do some miracles with my budget:) I can only promise that I'll do my best to finish this project... this year, or after next 25;)


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  UPDATE: 09/06/07


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“Versions…”

I have some ideas about how to do all the layout of this case and how to place all components inside. First of all It has to be compatible with all mobos, CPU coolers and PSUs. There must be a place for water cool system. Case must be high enough to take SLI bridges, all kinds, cause Asus makes them little bit higher because of small pins at the top of them – that’s is why they wont fit I Sunbeam case, AND that’s why it eliminates that case! (plus some other cons I mentioned above…).
There are two ways of components accommodation. First – mobo on lower level, then everything else on upper level. Second – other way – mobo on upper. I think this may have influence on air circulation.


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“Size matters…”

Most important in planning this case is what size it will be.
First of all, I need to gather all parts sizes to accommodate them and calculate size of the case.
Motherboard ATX size has 305 x 244mm – if I put mobo on lower level, then this may be a case base size. All things like psu, pump, reservoirs, dvd, hdds will be on upper level. Otherwise I need add at least 3cm in width to make holes for tubing and cables to reach mobo on upper level.
BUT – I’m still not sure if I want to build ATX size. Maybe mATX would be better?
Main thing is I don’t like the idea of I/O panel coming out on side of the case. I like normal way – from behind )
Sugo dimensions are: 263 mm (W) x 216 mm (H) x 393 mm (D) (WxHxD mm)
UFO Sunbeam: 295 mm (W) x 300 mm (H) x 380 mm (D) (WxHxD mm)
I think I could make it :
•    270mm (W) x 250mm (H) x 380mm (D) – for mATX mobos only. Something between both of them. It would be like Sugo but little bit higher.  
•    320mm (W) x 250mm (H) x 350mm (D) – for ATX/mATX mobos.
•    IF I let I/O panel be on left side of case, THAN frst dimensions will be ok for ATX/mATX mobos – it will be the same like Ashtefere did – ATX mobo in Sugo case – fits great. I will just make it a little bit higher, 250mm.
•    Well, there is also last idea – CUBE = 300x300x300 would look great, but this would be only for mATX mobos and, I believe, hard to fit all WC stuff.

NOW - what do you guys think  Which size I should follow???


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  UPDATE: 01/07/07


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I think I'm going to start building this incredible case in about mid September. Trying to buy a house this month and have to say that "offers over" and "closing dates"  pisses me off !!! It's like blind bidding! it's really stupid. Anyway, after a car trouble I had last month (£700 just flashed in front of my eyes) I really need to buy a house, then moving. After that I can have fun with this project, but till then I will gather all information, make measurements, documentation and of course I won't hesitate to share with all this with you ! :-)


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  UPDATE: 12/07/07


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Well, finally!!! I bought the house! Huuu... that was terrible, I was getting furious with all that closing dates... Entry date: 22 August 2007. THEN - ALL THE FUN BEGINS !!! :-)
I'm still gathering all details, items, tools, materials and still planning planning and... planning. I want to start with everything being prepared. I have some plan drawings, I will scan them or make some pictures and share with you how I see this case:-) I downloaded that Sketchup program to create 3D views, need to get on with this software first and show you later on... till then...

[Ashtefere]

Phinix, why dont you have the board so the back panel faces the top, longways.
Then, position the parts logically and build a case around it.
-Ash

[phinix]

Phinix, why dont you have the board so the back panel faces the top, longways.
Then, position the parts logically and build a case around it.
-Ash

Wait, do you mean up side down? Or on its side and then I/O panel will be on the top of the case?
It would be weird to connect everything on top... I was thinking about leaving all I/O panel connectors inside and somehow rerouting them to the back, making my own back panel, but it would make my case bigger - with all plugs and width of mobo. Main point in doing this case is keep it as small as possible.

[phinix]

Ok, Now I'm really pissed off - Apart of that mortgage I'm getting this week, I just had a problem with my car - temp raised very fast from 90 to 130C, steam went from engine... I changed my coolant, and found oil in it.. that means two things: 1-easier - head gasket, or 2- harder and more expensive - head itself... I hope it's gasket.... Anyway, as far as I heard, at least £300 will fly away. and I just started to plan my project...

UPDATE 05/06: £360, ready on next Tuesday- F*** !!!
UPDATE 16/06: £450, still not ready WTF???!!!
UPDATE 21/06: £680!!!!!! for F*** SAKE !!!!

[phinix]

UPDATED: 01/07/07
Anyway...
I can at least put down what configuration it will have, so:

PHINIX CUBE will contain:

CPU: Core2Duo e6700 OC'd to.. well, we'll see...
Mobo: mATX Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Kit
GPU: 8800GTS 640MB (maybe GTX, depands on my budget:-( )
HDDs: 1x Rator 150GB, 1x Seagate 500GB
Custom made multi-controller: fans, lights, pump, diods, etc.

Everything will be WATERCOOLED:
- CPU Zalman ZM-WB4 GOLD
- EK 8800GTS GPU Waterblock with Acetal Top
- chipset EK NB4 Intel Northbridge Cooler Gold
- Swiftech MCP350 12 VDC Pump OR Alphacool Laing DDC-Pump 12V Pro OR Danger Den DDC-12V
- Stealth GTS 240 Black Ice
- 2X Noctua NF-S12 800RPM 120mm OR 2x SilenX iXtrema Pro 11dBA 120mm




That is the plan. What it will actually have - will see in the future.

[SD31P]

what about the radiators? what's your plan... to cool down all your stuff I would guess you need at least dual 120mm rad if not tripple?

[phinix]

what about the radiators? what's your plan... to cool down all your stuff I would guess you need at least dual 120mm rad if not tripple?

Well, I was going to use triple from Alphacool, but now I wondering if that would fit in, casue I'm not sure if maybe I'll build this case only for mATX mobos. That would make it even smaller.
Plan is to mount radiator inside the case and make outside exhaust for two 120mm fans. Not sure though, if that would be enough for whole that system - I've never built a watercooled rig!
Do you think triple would be more appropriate?

[hugh]

a dual rad will just about cool your e6700 with a decent overclock. throw a graphics card into the loop and you're searching for trouble

[Ashtefere]

Especially an 8800... two of em? well, if you want the worlds fastest water boiler, by all means
-Ash

[craigbru]

Phinix, you need one of these...  :cheese:

The Quad

[SD31P]

And you will need a pump that can handle your loop with a triple or quad rad! Like a swiftech MCP655 maybe!?

[phinix]

You know, I was thinking about that configuration and I'm not sure if my budget let me build it, so there might be only one GTS or GTX - SLI will be very hatrd to cool down, it will bring a lot of heat inside and acrylic base wont help to spread heat and move it outside like normal alu cases do... Am I right?
Plus, I'm not sure how high OC will push temps up. Now I've noticed that my e6700 with NT06 passive cooler raised a little bit, with 3GHz temps went up from 32-34 to 38C. That was of course idle, so during playnig games it may raise a lot higher than that...

[phinix]

And you will need a pump that can handle your loop with a triple or quad rad! Like a swiftech MCP655 maybe!?

Yes, this pump is nice. Is it loud? I never worked with this kind of equipment.

[kenaneu]

Eh, I personally think that pump is overkill, clunky looking and hard to fit in a compact case.  I would opt for the MCP355 instead:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swiftechmcp355.html

With 20ft head pressure capability, you'll have no issues with pumping through your rads, etc.  I use one on my SN26P and it powers through a pretty ridiculous loop with no problems.  It's almost totally silent, and is much more compact and easy on the eyes.

Just my 2c.  Either pump will certainly work.

[phinix]

Eh, I personally think that pump is overkill, clunky looking and hard to fit in a compact case.  I would opt for the MCP355 instead:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swiftechmcp355.html

With 20ft head pressure capability, you'll have no issues with pumping through your rads, etc.  I use one on my SN26P and it powers through a pretty ridiculous loop with no problems.  It's almost totally silent, and is much more compact and easy on the eyes.

Just my 2c.  Either pump will certainly work.

I think you're right - I saw that one before in action, and must say looks a lot better than that big one - if I wont build SLi rig I will use sth similar to this smaller version. I have to keep this rig look nice, becuase that is one of the ideas - to create nice looking case:)
I still thinking about what main color I will use - red blue or that acid green... Many parts depend on the color I choose. What do you think? acid green?
I think this color looks best in low light, expecially when I use neon dividers. Blue mya be to dark, and red.. well.. never saw it before in water cooled rig.

[kenaneu]

Never seen red in a WC PC before???

The blood red fluidXP looks awesome, imo!

Check out the pics here:

http://www.sudhian.com/index.php?/forums/viewthread/95423/P30/

[phinix]

Does one radiator for 2 120mm fans enough to cool down e6700, nb, 2 hdds and one GTX?
I really like the look of this one:)
http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37_72&products_id=375

[phinix]

I'm still not sure about size of case, but I think I'm going to build CUBE, so - 300x300x300 ro max 320x320x320.
I will prepare some special drawings and show you them tomorrow - all demansions plan and components accomodation.

[phinix]

It's just a simple drawing, showing how will level-2 look like



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And here's level 1:



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AND front look:)

[kenaneu]

What's your reasoning for the dual reservoirs?  Extra coolant volume?  Just curious.

[phinix]

What's your reasoning for the dual reservoirs?  Extra coolant volume?  Just curious.

Well, I thought that one is enough, but two would like better:) wanted to keep everything symetric.
What about rest of the cooling stuff? is that enough?

[kenaneu]

I am cooling more than you're planning to cool, and getting away with a single 80mm + dual 70mm radiator and pretty decent temps.  I am thinking you'll be fine with a dual 120mm radiator setup.

[phinix]

I am cooling more than you're planning to cool, and getting away with a single 80mm + dual 70mm radiator and pretty decent temps.  I am thinking you'll be fine with a dual 120mm radiator setup.

That's great. You're the expert in watercooling kenaneu, could you please look at this thread and tell me is every part there ok to cool that kind of configuration? And what do you think about what I chose, maybe you have better options for it?
http://www.sudhian.com/index.php?/forums/viewthread/98319/

I would like to build nice looking, silent and cool system. As far as I know that is possible with WC. Is that stuff I chose ok?

[hugh]

just remember that c2d temps will absolutely rocket once you start putting more volts through them, especially a 4mb cache chip. a friend put an x1900 and an e6400 clocked to 3.2ghz in an akasa eclipse (huge case) with a dual rad and he was seeing low 50's for cpu, that is with an allenadle

[phinix]

just remember that c2d temps will absolutely rocket once you start putting more volts through them, especially a 4mb cache chip. a friend put an x1900 and an e6400 clocked to 3.2ghz in an akasa eclipse (huge case) with a dual rad and he was seeing low 50's for cpu, that is with an allenadle

So WC isnt that good for OC cpu? Hmm... not good. BUT this project is about visual effect also, so WC is like a must.