Pics of my new build! (56K Warning)

[Ginsu543]

Here are some pics of my new Core 2 Duo rig:

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+01.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+02.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+03.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+04.jpg

My stealthed Plextor PX-755SA drive:
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+05.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+06.jpg

Under the hood (check out the size of the Scythe Ninja!)
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+07.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+08.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+09.jpg

[chris000001]

the lights in the HSF look SICK!

but yea, i think its time for a new keyboard!

anyways sweet rig!

[Ginsu543]

Thanks, Chris!

Sticking the 4" CCFL inside the center hole of the Scythe Ninja turned out even better than I thought it would.

As for the keyboard, believe it or not, it is a vintage 1985 OEM keyboard for the IBM PS2. I actually prefer it to all the new-fangled keyboards out there these days. The keyboard is built like a tank (it's heavy too so it doesn't slide around when I type or play games) and I love the positive spring feedback on each of the keys.

I should be getting my new Dell 2407FWP delivered in a couple of days, so that should complete my first complete system overhaul in over 5 years.

[3DGuy]

Nice choices on all teh hardware. As i havea Ninja to you just cant compair it to things before using it. Its just the dogs danglys... But the wire to the top for the cathod could dowith tidying up a bit but i love the use of the center hole for teh light in there.Very good idea.. :D

After just taking alook at my Ninja i recon it u fed the power wires down inside the core first then took them out through the fins and stealthily hid that then inset the cathod in to follow the wires. This way gives you room to organize and tidy the main wires and then add the light. Just a thought :D

Now do it :D and post a pic to compaire :D

[cfairchild]

Very clean and sleek!! Good job, love the older keyboard too. If you dont mind me askin, what is that on the edges of your cards, lighting of some sort?

[PimpMySystem]

LOOKS SMOOTH !!! but how do you open the CD or DVD drive ??? I know programs sometimes allow that but i dont see any buttons ???

[dantheman]

Very nice Ginsu543! I love clean looking systems like that. What crazy theme are you using?

[Avid6eek]

Very nice setup you've got there!

[eli98]

Wow! that's nice.:)

[Ginsu543]

Thanks, guys! :)

I thought of rewiring the CCFL from the other side (I don't like having that wire there either), but I just didn't think the wire was long enough for me to give me enough play to wire it that way. Also, I wanted to use the same power box for both the red 4" CCFL and the 12" blue CCFL on one switch and my current setup was the only way I knew of to do it. Let me think about it some more to see if I can do it differently.

As for the glowing strips on all my cards, believe it or not, I just took neon zip ties (for wires), cut off the ends, and glued them onto the edges of my cards with plain old Elmer's glue. In the blue CCFL light, they have a nice neon glow for the effect you see here.

As for my stealthed drive, I can open it one of two ways. First, I have a program installed called DDCDes, which allows you to map a key stroke to open/close the optical drives. You can control up to three or four optical drives. Second, I taped a piece of plastic (actually it's a piece of Lego) on the other side of the face plate right over the open/close button on the drive so all I have to do is press the face plate where the button would be and the piece of plastic depresses the open/close button to access the drive. So I can open the drive either by software or by physically pressing the button.

Finally, I used three programs, ObjectDock, WindowBlinds, and IconPackager (all part of Stardock's Object Desktop suite of software) to make my interface look like a Mac. I also use two programs called AveDesk and SysStats to add widgets to the screen. The white vertical bar on the right keeps track of vital computer statistics (such as CPU frequency, CPU usage, memory load, and available hdd space), as well as controlling my Windows Media Player and giving me weather forecasts. The green circular widget below that allows me to shut down, restart, log off, or hibernate my computer with a single click of the mouse.

I'm pretty happy with the results, the most meaningful of which is that my new rig is SO much quieter than my old 2500+ mobile rig. Swapping out all my 80mm fans for Vantec Stealth fans and replacing my 80mm Thermaltake Smart Fan II (which spun at ~5000 rpm) to a quiet 120mm fan have made a world of difference in terms of quiet computing.

[Qbical]

i DEF. hear u about the keyboard. i have a really really old acer one that has some sweet action on the keys.
nice build

[cfairchild]

wow are you serious bout the zip ties?! I thought they might be EL Wire done really nicely. What you did is equally nice. One last question, are the UV ties?

[Ginsu543]

No, they're just regular old neon zip ties. I first recognized their potential when I was tidying up some wires with them. I realized that they had a nice glow to them in blue light. So I just cut off the ends so they were nice straight pieces and glued them on my expansion cards end to end. I had nothing better on hand than regular glue, so just used that. I've been "modding" my cards like that ever since.

[Joe]

sweet looking rig, but you should consider upgrading your wallpaper in your room. I feel like looking for waldo :D lol

[Ginsu543]

Muhahahahaha!!! Actually, the wallpaper is OEM (the original that was put in when the house was built). I don't much care about it since I'm so busy staring at my computer screen that I don't really notice my room walls. But you better believe that I care about the wallpaper I have on my screen, LOL!!! :)

[grahamf]

thats a nice looking build you have there. i did the exact same drive stealthing thing you did on a previous build of mine, although i used a screw instead of lego for the opening part. good choice on that ninja, its what im using as well. i was right there with you in the old keyboard movement until i got myself a logitech dinovo bluetooth keyboard and mouse about a month ago and cant go back to being tethered to my desk.

[PimpMySystem]

I just cut off the ends so they were nice straight pieces and glued them on my expansion cards end to end. I had nothing better on hand than regular glue, so just used that. I've been "modding" my cards like that ever since.


you glue on your expension cards :scared: dont you trie to sell them if u replace them :bored:

[FrozenMercury]

Wow! That's all I have to say. Thats a sweet looking clean rig you got there. You've even inspired me.

[Ginsu543]

Well, if I want to resell my cards, I can just use very fine sand paper to get most of the glue off and then use a cloth moistened with hot water to melt/rub off the rest. That's the advantage of using Elmer's glue, which is water-soluble. Once I do that, the video card is good as new! :)

[3DGuy]

And shiney like a bald guys head after having a floor buffer run over it :D

[PimpMySystem]

lol :D well thats actually pretty smart i wouldnt have thought of that :)

[Ginsu543]

FrozenMercury, thank you for your kind words!!! It's high praise indeed to say that you've been inspired! :)

[Ginsu543]

Success!!! :D

Per 3DGuy's suggestion, I was able to reroute the wire for the 4" CCFL through the base of the Ninja Scythe so that there is no longer any visible wires inhibiting the view. I like it!!!

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+improved+01.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Ginsu543/rig+improved+02.jpg

[PimpMySystem]

sweet mother of lord !!!! i thought you need a case that allows you to put all the cables behind the mobotray in order to do that much of a job. Do you notice a drop of temps ?? just a question...

[Ginsu543]

Well, I was able to hide all my wires and cables either in the 5-1/4" drive bay area or in the space between the mobo tray and the right side panel. I am experiencing much cooler temps than my last build (I'm using the same case but swapped out all the internal parts), but I'm fairly sure it's because of the Scythe Ninja. But in any case, I'm able to run my overclocked rig with all the case fans at half speed, which is (much quieter) music to my ears! :D

[Zefram]

That's one heckuva sweet and neat casing!

Anyway, noticed today's your birthday, so, happy birthday Ginsu! :D

[Ginsu543]

Why, thank you, sir!

Actually, here in the U.S. it's not my birthday yet. But, your sentiments are much appreciated! :D

[PimpMySystem]

then happy bday now :D and i haven't tought yet about hiding it at the unused drive bays thx for the idea

[Ginsu543]

Thanks pimp! :D

[3DGuy]

Very nice work dude :) yea with a case side pannel those wires to the ninja were a bit of an eye sore. But now ! :D damm that things sexy :D

Again congrats nice work :D

[Ginsu543]

Thanks, 3DGuy! :D

[Qbical]

so i take it thats a good cooler for the core2 duo?

[Ginsu543]

Well, I'm totally happy with it!

[3DGuy]

so i take it thats a good cooler for the core2 duo?

That is a good cooler for anything!!, It comes with adaptors for about any platform if i remember. :D

If it came with the parts needed id bolt it on to the car :D

[grahamf]

so i take it thats a good cooler for the core2 duo?

ive been using the ninja as well in my rig and its been working great.

by the way, nice job on the wiring ginsu