I'm gonna start a project log in hope that others will do the same. This way, we can get ideas from one-another/other people on how to build our rigs, this include choosing better components, and finding ways to optimize performance, and in the end have, a not only well organized and good-looking rig, but a well-balanced one as well..
Your comments and feedbacks are appreciated 
The goal of this build is simple, due to the lack of table space, I just want to switch to an mATX platform (mITX is too small for my taste), and a larger table won't fit in my room too.
Usage:
This system's sole purpose is gaming, so you won't find any over-the-top component on this build.
The main components I'll be using (pics to follow):
Asus Maximus III Gene - acquired
Intel i3 550 Processor (will OC to at least 4.5GHz for daily use) - acquired
4GB G.Skill DDR3 Memory with Arctic Cooling heatspreaders - taken from old system
2GB HD6950 unlocked to HD6970 specs - acquired
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music - acquired
Corsair HX620 PSU - taken from old system (might be replaced)
1TB HDD (internal storage) and SSD (OS drive) - acquired
Lian-li PC-A04 mATX Case
Cooling: (water on CPU and GPU, might include the chipset later)
XSPC Rasa CPU - taken from old system
XSPC RS240 radiator - taken from old system
XSPC 750 Dual Bay Res/Pump combo -taken from old system
Swiftech MCW80 (I wan't a block I can use on future cards) - acquired
Bitspower fittings and rotary extenders - acquired
XSPC white tubings - acquired
The system will be water-cooled of course, I'm gonna be using my XSPC Rasa 750 kit, but will be replacing the RS240 rad with an RX240, and adding the GPU to the loop, and getting white tubings as well.
1st off, the case had to be modified to fit a thicker rad, and also fit the other components I'm using.
Changes that had to be made include:
- bigger cutout in 5.25 bay for thicker rad
- powdercoat black
- acrylic window (purely aesthetic purpose)
- PSU cover (to hide all the mess below
)
- replace the stock case feet with the Lian-li aluminum ones (the stock ones were just glued on)
- Front LEDs will be replaced with white for power and red for HDD activity to match the color theme
Since my rotary tool is not the best tool for these changes, it means handing the case over to TPC's one and only tantric/mike (I don't trust myself with cutting up a Lian-li just yet).
Other minor modding (like cutting up several mesh pieces, and cutting up part of several case fans, drilling HDD mounting holes on the PSU cover, sleeving, etc.) will be done by me.
In the end, the innards should look a bit like this (if everything goes well, and minus the RN logo), though placement of some components may change:
Here are some pics with the progress of the case mod so far:
5.25" bay cutout:
Window cutout:
Powder coating:
That's it for now, I'll update this thread tomorrow for some actual pics of the components that will be used, and some of my own mini-mods as well.
I went to work around 5am but won't be leaving the office till 11pm (18hrs double shift), so no updates till tomorrow, I just typed all of this to pass time, hehehe
Project Log: [Case Mod] WhiteWater mATX Build
Originally Posted by zhadlp
@dmelsie
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