Gob Smacking PC Mod

[Tuckerfan]

Okay, this isn't just simply some guy who cut some holes in a case, stuck a bunch of lights in it, and called it a mod. Heck, it's not even a sheet metal case that he built from scratch. Nope, this is hard core (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=76374). He's using really sophisticated stuff to make the case. The gear he's using is way newer than anything we had at Amalgamated Moron Manufacturing or at school. And check his water cooling set up! (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=76374&page=30&pp=20) I'm drooling here!

[captain swoop]

Sorry, but I don't think I have seen a bigger waste of time or money.

[Bilateralrope]

Sorry, but I don't think I have seen a bigger waste of time or money.

Thats what I think about all case mods. Also the modded computers are likely to be more powerful (most people spen money making the computer run better before making a case mod) and are also more likely to get stolen from LANs

As for the worst looking case mod I know of, it would be where a friend of mine first sprayed his keyboard with silver-metallic paint and then sprayed a greek symbol on each side of his case (a normal beige one), lamba on one side, something else on the other side

[frogesque]

Sorry, but I don't think I have seen a bigger waste of time or money.

Have to agree. I don't think this would make a PC perform any better (possible exception the water cooling but there are cheaper ways to do that).

Some quite good WIP photos of metal cutting but otherwise this is an over-engineered non-event.

[mid]

Sorry, but I don't think I have seen a bigger waste of time or money.

Why? If you've got access to the tools through work like he has, and you find it interesting, I fail to see how milling your own case is any more a 'waste of time' than home-carpentry to make furniture that costs as much for the materials as a flat-pack equivalent from Ikea.

Sure, all that effort on case-design isn't going to do anything to the performance of the hardware inside, but aesthetics count too, or no-one would buy iMacs when they could have a beige box for less.

[Maksutov]

[edit]or no-one would buy iMacs when they could have a beige box for less.
Gimme a beige box for less. I look at the monitor's screen, not at the case, which is hidden inside the computer desk anyway.

This reminds me of "skins" for various audio/video software devices as well as PDAs, etc. I could care less what it looks like. Instead, does it work? Is it reliable? Are the controls easily accessible and not hidden in the recesses of some hideous color/texture scheme? Is the layout of the panel logical, as opposed to being the product of some designer's nightmare? Etc.

It's all sales gimmicks to create a current "style" for electronic devices, which will then be leveraged by the marketing department to convince their customers that the "style" of their current, perfectly-fine-working electronic device is somehow "out-of-fashion" (i.e., "so last year") and needs to be replaced with the latest "current style". Electronics, meet clothing fashions marketing.

Re this project, good training for CNC programming and operation. Now to create something useful. :D

[Yoshua]

Well case modding is a hobby for some people. There is usually little practical value to be had from case mods. But it's fun for them and a form of artistic expression I guess. If it makes the person happier to do such a project, I can't really see where their time or money was wasted.

Course I've never gotten into it or had it done for any PC I've built. Though I do check out links people make to their cases from time to time. Some are amusing and/or creative.

[Tuckerfan]

Sorry, but I don't think I have seen a bigger waste of time or money.The same can be said of every hobby, and if you've seen Alienware PCs or this Ferrari themed laptop (http://www.tigerdirect.com/email/wem931.asp?SRCCODE=WEM931TT), then you should know that the concept of having a PC that looks like something other than a beige box is gaining in popularity.

[Musashi]

I have seen one of those Ferrari laptops in person. Of course, the guy has a Ferrari (and a Lamborghini and a Corvette and ...).

[Van Rijn]

I look at it as the Geek version of Hotrod/automobile modifications. Chrome work, special paint jobs, etc. are all a "waste" but a lot of people like to do it.

I've never been into casemods, but I do like a quiet and easy to access computer. The last time I put together a home PC I spent some time getting the right components and case. I decided on a well regarded aluminum case. It was light weight, there were no sharp edges, and it was easier to work with than any other case I've ever had. Since I spent extra time picking the parts, the computer is still respectable even though I've had it a few years (I built it just after 3.06ghz P4s became available through regular channels).

[jfribrg]

What a waste of time. If only he'd spent his time making a really nifty Dobsonian mount, then that would have been different.

[zebo-the-fat]

I can see both sides of the argument, but can someone tell me what is the point of glowing hard drive cables or illuminated fans? :o

[Van Rijn]

The same point as chrome and racing stripes - to show it off to friends, at lan parties, etc. Of course, aesthetics vary, and many of us don't move our primary computers, so ...

[Kristophe]

I can see both sides of the argument, but can someone tell me what is the point of glowing hard drive cables or illuminated fans? :o

Mind telling me what the points of different coloured clothes, or different lables, or fancy shoes, or different styles of pants, or different haircuts, or glasses frames (or even contact lenses), hair dye, self tanners, differently shaped drinkware, lacy bras, rainbow socks, off-white paint, textured aluminium siding, low profile tires, trimmed hedges, mowed lawns, rock gardens, art galleries, music, movies, TV, literature, space exploration, computers that are more than word processors, spreadsheets, and databases are...?

[zebo-the-fat]

I can see both sides of the argument, but can someone tell me what is the point of glowing hard drive cables or illuminated fans? :o

Mind telling me what the points of different coloured clothes, or different lables, or fancy shoes, or different styles of pants, or different haircuts, or glasses frames (or even contact lenses), hair dye, self tanners, differently shaped drinkware, lacy bras, rainbow socks, off-white paint, textured aluminium siding, low profile tires, trimmed hedges, mowed lawns, rock gardens, art galleries, music, movies, TV, literature, space exploration, computers that are more than word processors, spreadsheets, and databases are...?

yes... but my fans are in a box, out of site under my desk, if they did have leds in them they wouldn't move the air any better. :o

<Luddite mode>

[PatKelley]

My lawn is quite uncut, actually.

Some people like to have the blowers, sub-woofers, spinning rims and chrome piping - some just want a car that runs.

I'm one of the latter. Glowie things are really neat - but I'd prefer a machine that was completely hidden.

Been working on an idea for peizoelectric glass speakers: frameless, completely transparent, and unobtrusive.

[Charlie in Dayton]

On the basis of art for art's sake, this case is beautiful. As an example of the metalworker's art, same verdict. As an example of practicality, it's really overboard -- there may be some saving graces in the way he's designed his chassis, and where what goes (with a view toward ease of access and airflow).

I'd be curious as to the reasoning for this. A design exercise? A+. Computer fashion statement? Made in spades. Metalwork practice? Five gold stars. Just wanted to have some fun? Looks like he's having a ball. Practicality? Weeeeeeeeellll...let's talk about that.

[Jpax2003]

I think of it as a work of art that happens to do something useful. What's wrong with that? Do those who think this is overkill have paintings on your wall? Any of you have anything that would qualify as sculpture? Think of this case mod as a sculpture with a computer inside. This is basically doing double duty and that should appeal to the aesthetic of efficiency for many of you.

[Davros]

I think of it as a work of art that happens to do something useful. What's wrong with that? Do those who think this is overkill have paintings on your wall? Any of you have anything that would qualify as sculpture? Think of this case mod as a sculpture with a computer inside. This is basically doing double duty and that should appeal to the aesthetic of efficiency for many of you.

I couldn't agree more. Not everyone want's to tuck their pc away either. The pc is becoming more and more a central household item and an increasing number of people want it to have a little more asthetic value.

Most household electrial items have a wide range of different designs and styles to suit the room they live in, or the tastes of their owners - think of how many different styles to choose from when buying a new hi-fi.

It's only been in recent years that the pc has started to evolve away from the dull beige box it used to be.

I for one like the idea that people are putting their own unique stamp on something that will now most likely be out in the open for all to see and appreciate.

[Stregone]

To me the biggest thing is not really the way it looks, but that the guy designed and built it himself.

[smoothvirus]

Absolutely amazing. The guy is an artist - really nice peice of design.

As for some of the other comments in this thread :roll: