F4DE by C4B12

[C4B12]

Hello again!

I want to show you my first casemod, usually Im working from scratch. I learned a lot by this small project.

In my opinion I've found the ultimate mini-itx case, the Cubitek Mini Cube. Ever since I installed a computer for a friend in this case I have been in love. It is clean-looking, has A LOT of space behind the motherboard for both cablemanagement and harddrives.

My idea of this casemod was to make a "stealth" mod. Everything will be black except for some small details that will be the small contrast to all the black. So I will start by taking the case in two parts and paint everything that isnt black. Then I will be installing a 240mm radiator in the front, yes you heard me, I will be making a big hole in that nice-looking frontpanel. But dont worry, I will be covering it up with one of the most awesome-looking radiator grills from Aquacomputer.

Hardware:

[X] MB: MSI Z77IA-S01
[X] CPU: Intel I5 3550
[X] GPU: GTX 460
[X] RAM: 2x4gb Corsair Dominator Platinum
[X] SSD: Samsung 840 120gb
[X] PSU: Be-Quiet! Dark Power Pro P10 550W
[X] CASE: Cubitek Mini Cube

About the graphic cards. I want one that is reference model so I can watercool it. The best would be a 660/660ti/760 because those are around 17cm long. But I got a 460 with block and backplate really cheap from a friend so in the worst case scenario I will be using that one, it still has a lot of power actually. Im also looking for sponsors so maybe some changes will be made.

I won a competition with my other build, CURV3D and won a Alphacool 240mm kit. So I will be using the radiator and cpu-block from that. I probably will go for a Laing DDC pump with some nice res too that.

Here is a overview of the motherboard with the Alphacool XP3 Light block installed.



I didnt like the blue/alu caps so I made them and some other stuff black, F4DE in to black! :rock:





A Sharpie is a powerful "tool". So is the MNPCTech ruler.




Thats all for now. Im currently planning and measuring out where to put the radiator and window and stuff like that. But I will update as soon as possible. I hope you like it. While you wait I would really appreciate if you liked to check out my facebook-page. There you will find more updates, giveaways and other computer related stuff.

With kind regards
Johan Nyman

[C4B12]

Installed the waterblock and backplate to the GTX 460 and took some pictures of it together with the motherboard. I love the backplate, that and the radiator grill will make a sweet contrast to all the black.







Some Corsair Dominator Platinum would look awesome here!

[C4B12]

Finally!

I got the case from Cubitek. Before I start mod it I will be making a review for my website. But I have some other pictures to share with you.

I would like to start and thank all the sponsors again for making this possible.

Thank you:
CDON.com | Be Quiet! | Cubitek | MSI

The Corsair Dominator Platinum arrived a few days ago, really nice ram.





It really fit in with the shiny backplate too!



I also got the Be Quiet! Dark Pro 10 550W power supply. Really nice package with a lot of cables and extra stuff.





Thats all for tonight... Or wait, Ill give you a sneek peak.



I think some will hate that radiator grill and the contrast to the black, I love it though. It will look even better when everything is done.

I will be back with some real updates soon. Please check out Minimalistic PCfor my projects and reviews. Means alot!

With kind regards
Johan Nyman

[C4B12]

Oi!

Update is here! Today I made the cutout for the front fans and radiator, just some filing to do left. I really love this radiator grill!









I also made a shroud that will cover the power supply and pump.





Thats all for tonight, Ill be back for more in a few days. I have a lot of fun stuff to share. I have many new ideas!

Stay tuned!
Johan Nyman

Edited November 18, 2013 by C4B12

[C4B12]

Hello!

Im back for a little update. This is what I have done so far.

• Painted the case
• Fixed the cutout for the radiator
• Changed to MDPC black M3 screws
• Done some sleeving and shrouds
  

Primer



Add some black to that!



This is how it looks. What do you think?



All black and empty.





Shiny!



Although I have some sad news, I have to drop the chromed copper tubing. I cant manage to get it working with the loop in this case, its too small for me. I having problems even with regular tubing. I still think it will look good, I will use regular transparent tubes with regular water to keep it clean.

Keep checking in!

With kind regards
Johan Nyman
Minimalistic PC's

[C4B12]

Today I was nervous while modding, why? Because I was soldering cables to the pcb of my GTX 460. Now why did I do that? Well this is a small case, the GPU is 210mm long and the PSU 170mm, so from the powerconnector on the GPU to the PSU isnt long, why route the cables around the back of the motherboard tray and to the GPU when I can go straight to it. But soldering on computer hardware isnt my every day thing, but, I started it up and it was no problemo!









Here you see how close it is between the two.





I also added some p-clips to support the cable management on the back and made a ssd cover out of the spare material from the fan holes in the frontpanel.



Well what do you think of this casemod this far? Give me some criticism!

With kind regards
Johan Nyman
Minimalistic PC's

[C4B12]

Time for a little update. I received the last hardware this week. Some Noiseblocker fans and a EK X-Res 100 DDC.



Really love these fans. 2x 120mm and 1x 92mm PWM versions of Noiseblockers Blacksilent. Really fits this mod, still looks very clean though.



This res pump combo is really nice too. I modified a DDC plexi mount from XSPC to install it in the case.







This is how I will run the loop. Im going to finish the shroud and add some fittings to it to get the tubes through it and down to the radiator.



Really love these Noiseblocker fans!



This is also how the cable management will look on the inside.



And here is the finished cablemanagement in the back.



Im pretty satisfied with it now. The molex is for the 18W DDC pump. Dont have much left to do before this project is finished.

• Clean the case.
• Repaint.
• Finish the shroud.
• Finish the loop.
• Window?
  

What do you think about a window mod? Do it or dont do it? Full window or a smaller one?

I will be visiting Dreamhack Winter in november to show this project and my earlier build CURV3D at the Expo they have there for a sponsor. So Ill hope I see some of you there. I also want to thank Bit-Tech for nominating me to Mod of the Month August. Go and vote for your favorites!

I am also hosting a modding contest for those who live in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland at my website. Check it out, got prizes from Bitfenix, Cubitek and others.

With kind regards
Johan Nyman
Minimalistic PC's

[C4B12]

Hello!

It is time for another little update. I have been working on the loop a little bit, right now Im just waiting for the last three fittings then its time to fill it up!

I also finished the shroud/psu cover. Got some time today to work on the window too, just need to file and sand the edges.

Installed two fillports to the shroud and painted it black.







This is how the full shroud looks like, I like it!



This is how Im going to run the loop. Only thing left is from the CPU to the RES and down to the rad.





I also started working on a window, this is the layout Im going for. Just need to trim the edges a little bit.





What do you think?

The only things left to do is to fix the paintjob, finish the loop and fix those edges for the window. Almost done with this project, feels great!

With kind regards
Johan Nyman
Minimalistic PC's

[C4B12]

Its been too long since I updated, so here it is.

I have finished the loop, shroud and installed OS and so on. The last two things left to do is to fix some scratches and install some lights.

I dont want to use a u-channel around the window edges and I dont really know if I want to have it like now either, maybe a frame in the same finish as the radiator grill?

However, here are some pictures on how the case looks like 95% finished.











I will probably get the lights next week so I will install that as fast as possible and then start working on the final pictures.

MSI provided me with the motherboard for this mod, a MSI Z77IA-S01 and I got some sweet news regarding to this. Dreamhack Winter is now in the end of november and they have a pretty nice Expo there with a lot of big companies. I got the privilege to show this casemod at MSI's booth there. Its going to be awesome, I hope I meet some of you there.

I hope that next update includes the final pictures! This is my first "official" casemod and Im really satisfied with it, I learned a lot. I still prefer scratchbuilds though. :rock:

Ill be back!

With kind regards
Johan Nyman
Minimalistic PC's

[C4B12]

Hello!

I want to start by announcing another sponsor. Icemodz.com sponsored me with a white led-stripe to use to spread some light inside the case.

Thank you Mundi!

Nice sleeving on the cable too.



Combined it with the pump cable.



So I installed this leds today, would you like to see some final pictures? I HOPE SO. I feel like Im 98% finished, so here they are!











I dont have any photoskills at all, so maybe you could give me some tips about that? Cause I would like to learn so I could take some better final photos. Advice?

Other than that? What do you think about this mod?

Im pretty satisfied with it, my first official casemod, I learned a lot and thats what I love the most.

With kind regards
Johan Nyman
Minimalistic PC's

[C4B12]

Well as of right now, I say this mod is finished. It has been a lot of fun to make a real casemod, I have of course built PC's in cases before, but not modded them that much, mostly been making scratchbuilds. But I learned a lot and I think there will be more casemods from me in the future.

I was not really satisfied with my pictures so I took some more this morning from different sides and angles. Im going to talk to some friends who maybe could work on the pictures in Photoshop to make them better.

I also want to say a big thanks to all my sponsors who helped me with all this. Wouldnt be possible without them! Support me and them by clicking on this links and checking them out.

I want to thank Cubitek for providing me with the Cubitek Mini Cube. In my opinion the best mini-itx case there is!

I also want to thank MSI for providing me with the motherboard for this build, the MSI Z77IA-S01. A nice looking black motherboard, perfect for this build.

Im grateful for CDON.com. They helped me with the ram, a 2x4gb kit of Corsair Dominator Platinum.

Be-Quiet! also helped me with the power supply, the Dark Power Pro P10 550W.

Icemodz.com gave me a really awesome led-stripe to use, thank you Mundi!


























With kind regards
Johan Nyman
Minimalistic PC's

[sparkyftw]

Great build!  Got some nice ideas for my own case if I ever decide to shut my computer off long enough to work on it.