You caught updates of this project on my blog. Now you can follow it as my worklog. You can buy these cases direct from Alienware's outlet store on Ebay. Before dropping your cash on one, read Alienware's policy! We received two different cases with different issues. The cases are classified as "Renewed" and returned as customer product evaluations or open-box returns. Alienware policy states "Renewed products may contain scratches, cracks, chips, wear, blemishes and/or similar flaws. However, IF you receive a case that you feel to be very badly damaged then we will consider an exchange. BUT that damage must be substantial (not just limited to a few scratches or scuffs)

The first case sent from our customer had several plastic mounting tabs broken for the top and side panels. We had no way of replicating new plastic tabs, so we notified our customer about this and they had another case dropped to Mnpctech. The second was in much better condition with only these minor issues.

1. Side panel latch cover sticks a bit, you have to press real firm to release it.
2. The leds are removed from the Alien head badges. (standard procedure by Alienware)
3. The back cover of the bay door had one broken plastic peg, but nothing detrimental.
4. The case feet are real scratched, but this is expected with plastic feet.

One annoyance that Alienware could avoid for their customers is using low tack painter's tape instead of "Scotch" tape to secure the panels during shipment. The Scotch tape leaves a sticky residue that may upset customer that didn't plan on painting the case.

Alienware ALX arrives from Alienware's Outlet store


The chassis was manufactured by Chieftec.


Removing the Alienware's top plastic watercool radiator that enclosed Koolance EXOS radiator.


Location of 2x 80mm cooling intake fans (not included) in Alienware's renewed cases.


Behind the front bezel


By the customer request, we removed the center portions between the bars of the side panel vents. These will be sanded, and prepped for flat black paint. Modders Mesh will be mounted behind the bars.





The customer also requested we remove the lower portion of the 3.5 hard drive cage. This involved drilling out several of the factory pop rivets to remove the cage.


The modified cage re-installed. It now provides more floor space in the chassis for watercooling components.

Our customer also requested a window in his Alienware ALX's left side panel. The ALX design incorporates a plastic shell over it's aluminum case panel. You must cut two windows in the panel in order to see inside the case. This is a basic run through of what was involved in making the window. If you're attempting to perform this same mod, feel free to contact Mnpctech with any questions, pcbuilderATmnpctech.com



You're limited on what you can design for a window without compromising how the plastic shell fastens onto the side panel. The reason is that theres several plastic tabs on it's backside of the plastic that clip onto the inner aluminum panel. You should draw your window design inside of these fasten tabs.
You'll also notice the backside of the plastic is reinforced in which I can only describe as a grate.
I will post and link a photo in the next update of the backside.

To draw out your design, I'll use either #2060 Green or #2090 Blue "low tack" painter's tape by Scotch/3M. You can buy these Home Depot or Ace Hardware stores. You also apply tape so you don't scratch up the panel with the jigsaw's steel guard.







Whenever I make a side panel window, I always use a jigsaw with a 18 TPI (teeth per inch) bi-metal cutting blade. I'll make the intial incision for the jigsaw blade with a rotary tool and 1.5" reinforced dremel cutting wheel



After your window is cut, you'll need to use a rounded side hand file to clean up the edges of you cut.



Your window isn't finished yet, remember we're dealing with two panels, not one. Apply the low tack tape onto the aluminum panel, then temporarily mount the plastic shell back onto the aluminum panel. Now trace out your first window onto the aluminum panel.



Then you follow the same procedure you did for cutting out the first panel.

The planned paint theme for the case is all "Flat Black" while contemplating airbrushed carbon fiber accents depending upon our customer's wishes.

They've requested the entire case/chassis be painted "Flat Black"







If you've missed it, heres a video of us prepping and painting another PC chassis

I've never really been a fan of the AW cases... I guess it comes from the exhorbitant pricetags that come with their machines... But then again, personal taste is a personal thing...

Interested to see how this one turns out, Bill... Gonna keep an eye on this one, despite my antipathy for AW machines...

Is there a theme to this build??

Quote: Originally Posted by Highperf15 Is there a theme to this build??

Hes into european performance cars

Let me guess.........scoops......"Fast & Furious" graphics......bright orange w/ pearl.........LMAO

hehe, just flat black with airbrushed carbon fiber f/x

Sorry for the late update on this, I just started this giveaway case mod for the mod brothers

I was working on replacing the top panel's screen with honeycomb mesh last night,

this is after we painted it Flat Black


Alienware's OEM screen for the top panel


Making my template, I used a tin-snip to cut the honeycomb mesh


After cutting out the shape, I will remove the visible honeycomb cross hairs in the mounting holes


Pre-fitting the new grill before painting Flat Black

Hey gang, sorry for late update, been keeping busy, which I'm very thankful for. Heres how the final coat of Flat Black Enamel. A nice satin smooth look about it





Top panel

That flat black gives it that hardcore-old school look......

Agree, it would have been cool with some Von Dutch stripes too!

Heres the side panel, we're thinking of airbrushing the carbon fiber pattern under the bottom arc


Aibrushed carbon fiber pattern

We'll be guiding you through each stage of painting the carbon fiber effect on features of the Alienware case. We've decided to paint more features, so we dropped the airbrush plan

Our little Alienware dudes will get painted too.


Masking off the lower portion of the side panel


Scuffing the paint with red scotchbrite pad


Removing dust with tack cloth

I have only one word for you SIR!

I got the SWEEET post!!!! Thanks Bro!

I must admit, this one is growing on me, I could see this case on my desk after it's finished, all flat black is my style..heh.

Heres a reference of what the case looked like when it arrived at my shop


To keep curious fingers, pets, etc from entering the case thru the vents, plus it looks cool! I'm mounting Honeycomb Modders Mesh Behind the side panel air vents, everything will be painted Flat Black. I first make a paper template for cutting the mesh, crease the paper over the crevices and edges, then cut it out and lay over sheet of mesh.


After the mesh is cut, I form it inside of the vent by hand.. You then clean the mesh of any dirt or oil with Laquer thinner, then sand the surface with medium grit sandpaper to prep it for the Flat Black paint later


After forming, cleaning, and sending the mesh, I use cable or zip ties to temporarily fasten the mesh onto the vent


To mount the mesh, I will use 3M's Scotch DP-190, 2 part epoxy, this is a special applicator gun by 3M, so you squeeze equal amounts. Then you need to let DP-190 cure for at least 24 hours, before we paint the vents

after applying Flat Clear, to match the Flat Black finish.


Alienware bay door


Glimspe of Side panel latch

Very Sweet work Bill

I seem to have caught the modding bug again today lol!

Quote: Originally Posted by MRMOBEUS Very Sweet work Bill I seem to have caught the modding bug again today lol!

Right on brother!

I'm editing the video, heres a shot of the Top shroud, before Flat Clear

Video for carbon fiber paint effect on this Alienware ALX Case

Carbon Fiber Paint Effect “Subtle Black”

Great FX - Will def be trying that on my next adventure.... Thanks for the tut' vid !