Project Thermaltake Kandaulf

[Solara2xb]

Hey Guys,

Started a Project Couple of weeks ago. I took one of my fav. old School gaming cases and gave it a fresh make over for a system I am building. My buddy works at a Auto Body place he does excellent paint jobs (he also painted my car which you will see in the reflection of the case).

I started off the case by taking it all part.
The case was Black on the outside and grey/silver finished on the inside. Typical for Thermaltake cases.

Here are some pics of it sitting in my garage. This is what I started off with.





Striped down the case and sanded all down (outside of the case) and painted it the Civic Si Electric Blue with Blue pearls and Subaru Flat black on the inside. I had to have the case sanded allot to get the smooth surface and shine on the outside of the case. This case was to textured it was a pain.

Here are the pics of it completed with the parts painted.

I am still putting it together. so far I have the back pieces on and the plexi put back on.


















I will post more pics once I have time to put more of it back together.

[smduff]

looks good so far keep us updated.

[Doctor_Death]

Make sure you send us some photos once your hardwares installed.

Thanks

[vinman]

Looking good can't wait to see the finished project!

[GoatNapp3r]

nice paintjob

[Solara2xb]

Thanks.... This isn't going to be a super gaming computer but more of a photoshop work station and my graphics computer. So nothing super crazy as far as hardware. I only have the Video card, PSU and motherboard. Still trying to figure out what CPU I am going to use. I am going with the AMD platform.

MB: MSI 870U-G55
PSU: OCZ 500watt Modular PS
RAM: OCZ DDR3 Gold Series 4GB
GPU: ATI XFX 5770 (older card but will do the job for what I need)
HardDrives: 1TB Hitachi x2 in raid 0

Your thoughts on the set-up??? What CPU do you think I should use? I was thinking of the AMD core six 1100T. But I have read some mixed reviews on the processor. I am planning to Watercool and go with the XSPC RX360 Kit for the CPU.

Does anyone know if they make a water block for the XFX 5770 Cards?

This is the plan so far but you guys know how things are. They can change as you go along.

[Doctor_Death]

You could always upgrade you're board to a 990FX and wait for AMD to release their new 8 core Bulldozer CPU.

[Solara2xb]

The 990FX looks like a killer MB... I am going to look into this.. Any ideal on the 8 core processor release?

[smduff]

its up in the air june or july.

[Doctor_Death]

Wait for our review of the 990FX, then when we publish our Bulldozer review you will know that the CPU will be released shortly.

[vinman]

After doing such a good job with modding your case you might as well put something really fast in it whats that saying all show and no go

[Solara2xb]

Yea, I am looking into other MB and CPU options.. This rig is being build for my Graphics Plotter. I do allot of vinyl projects (side business) and thought it was time to upgrade from my old AMD 255 dual core/Gigabyte MB that I have been using for about 4 years now. The MB I have now was from another build (data server) that didn't happen (long story), so I thought I would put it to use. I might just sell this thing on ebay. My Video cards were from my gaming rig which I just changed to the XFX 6950 which is why I have 2 5770 sitting around. I have way too many computer parts laying around and would like to reuse some of it but I know sometimes things get outdated so far its hard to keep up.. lolz..

I'll keep a look out for your 990FX review.. I've been reading reviews/speculations on the bulldozer and it sounds like a crazy processor... This build might take me longer then expected with all these new parts coming out.. I might end up building another gaming rig that can handle BF3..

[Solara2xb]

Just some Updates... So I needed to finish this project as my vinyl business is picking up a bit. I was going to using this PC as my Graphics PC to replace the old PC that can't keep up with my plotter anymore.

I ended up keeping the MB (due to funding I didn't want to buy another one when I had a perfectly look motherboard sitting here).

I did go with the AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Processor. I got a good price on it so I couldn't pass it up.
Also Upgrade the Video card rather then using my XFX 5770 I ended up with the XFX 6870. Also ended up using on of my other PSU I had laying around. OCZ StealthMod 700watt PSU.

So for my build:
MB: MSI 870U-G55
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T
Ram: 8GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (4x2GB sticks)
GPU: XFX HD6870
PSU: OCZ 700watt
HD: 2x 1TB Hitachi deskstar in raid 0
DVD: Samsung DVD DL Burner
Others: Zalman hot swap bay with Fan Controller

For cooling GPU I am using the stock fans and it's been pretty good. Since I am not using it for gaming it temps are pretty good and idles at around 34c and full load at about 58c. For the CPU I ended up with the Corsair H60 set-up in push/pull configurations and at full load temps don't go over 18c and its at 9c at idle.

Ill get some pics of the final product soon. The only flaw with this case is that they didn't make enough room on the back cover to hide the cables really well. But I did the best I can and it doesn't look too bad. I sleeved most of the cables so it really blends with the black inside.

For a NON gaming PC the specs are not too bad. I do get allot of my customers that come pick up there vinyl logos compliment the computer. I also have this build hooked up to 3 LCDs. 2x Hanng 22.1 (sides) and 1xHannspree 23.1 (middle).

What do you guys think??

For my next Gaming Computer I really going to be going all out. But for now the current gaming PC is holding up fine.

[Drdeath]

Your motherboard is the weak link. Stan mentioned a 990FX. I do the AMD reviews and IMO, a 990 FX or a 990X would be fine. The major difference between a 990FX is 1 less PCIE slot which will not effect you and no SATA ports which you do not need. I have a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD5, I am reviewing the Asus M5A99X EVO which is the board for you... The review on the EVO will be up within the week. I also have a Gigabyte 890FX- UD5 which I will sell cheap and will be compatable with Bulldozer. PM me......

[Solara2xb]

Yea, I know the MB is the weak link. But at the time I didn't have time (nor funds, I lifted my truck last month and I spent more then I was expecting to spend) to really dump more money into this project. I PMed you about the MB. I am looking for a good MB for the right price. Now that my other projects I am working on are done funds have free'd up a bit. Plus I am working on a big project right now for a customer that will bring in some extra dough to play around. But I do want to keep the same processor. At this point only looking to replace the MB.

[Solara2xb]

Update: Ordered the Gigabyte 890FX-UD3 board. Once that comes in ill swap them out... This Computer should last me a couple of years for my graphics stuff.. Should be good for some decent gaming as well. I might order a additional XFX 6870 and crossfire them somewhere down the line