Project: Michiganian Lan Machine

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 08:48 AM

This summer I plan on building a sff gaming rig. I like the x qpack and the shuttles but not enough for my build. I am thinking of using the antec aria. It looks like it can be easily moddable. I plan on cutting a large window on the side and doing a new paint job. One of the problems with the aria is heat....I would watercool it if it fit

.Does anybody know if a watercooling system could fit in the aria. Does anybody know if the psu can be replaced?

I have never built with an aria

RexBeans Explosion · 28-June-05, 09:10 AM

Does anyone know how many more projects you will start?

Seeing how you are the SFF Master this advise must already be know to you. The answer to your watercooling question is yes, depending on your equpiment selection. And to your PSU question, I don't know why you would want to replace the it as you will be hard pressed to find another internal for the aria that will serve you better. You could always use any full size PSU externally if you wish.

Heat will not be a big issue, assuming you don't block all forms of intake. I beleive you can fit a Zalman 7000 in the Aria with much less work than a water based cooling option.

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 09:37 AM

This is the project I am sticking with...thank you for your sarcasim. What I want to know is if a more powerful power supply will fit in the aria.

RexBeans Explosion · 28-June-05, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan PC


	This is the project I am sticking with...thank you for your sarcasim. What I want to know is if a more powerful power supply will fit in the aria.

I'm sure you could fit another MicroATX or Shuttle SilentX style PSU in the case but the mounting would not be be the same and this creates a problem. The case is designed for that size and type of PSU and relies on it to draw and remove all of the air from the case.

At 300W it should be more than sufficient for any of your needs. It's made by antec so quality should not be an issue here.

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 10:00 AM

thats a good point. I am removing the slots from under the drive bay and putting in a 5 1/4in resevoir. This should look pretty good. Anyone have any other modding ideas? I should be able to get started soon I am ordering it tonight. Can the leds on the front be removed? I don't know how they are attached.

hondatuner · 28-June-05, 11:01 AM

You sent me a Pm asking for help so here's my two cents. Personaly I would go for the Zalman, especially since your going to be throwing this in the back seat driving to LAN parties. That leaves a lot of chance for your watercooling and G-forces to conspire against you. But it you are dead set on doing watercooled....

Look at 1/4 or 3/8 inch tubing. This is just to make sure you can get tubing every where you need it with a little less trouble.
Look for the lowest profile waterblock you can find. Again this is for easy installation for you, but also to make sure it can fit.
Find a 12v pump that is compact
Make sure you have a filler port or someway to put more coolent in your system. If you don't do this your screwed from day one.

I'm not an expert on watercooling but this is what I would do in my own system. But in a box this small and for what your using it for i would go for an air set up.

Highperf15 · 28-June-05, 11:08 AM

What about making an "external" setup.............similar to what Corsair has on the market and use something like a hydraulic quick-disconnects.........

GrandpaNoob72 · 28-June-05, 12:20 PM

^^^What he said, and I would go further as to maybe use a spare SFF case to house the main WC stuffs... The radiator, pump, and/or res.

From the waterblock(s) to the side or rear panel of your system case, where they terminate into quick-disconnect fittings, tubing between the QD fittings to the QDs on the WC carry case, then to the rad/res/pump. (See fingerpaint quality drawing, attached)

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 12:32 PM

I will think about this. Can I change or replace the leds? I don't know if they are attached or whatever. Also, do you think tin snips are strong enough to cut a window in this case?

I will probably use a jigsaw

Digital-World · 28-June-05, 01:34 PM

I hope you stick with this project...
The pimps have helped you with many already that never got off the ground...

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 01:37 PM

I am definently sticking with this project. Does anybody know if the leds can be changed?

Highperf15 · 28-June-05, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan PC


	I am definently sticking with this project. Does anybody know if the leds can be changed?

What are you worried about that for????..................and yes any LED can be changed out.......

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 01:56 PM

here is the plan so far...
plan removed
I'm not sure about painting yet...

Highperf15 · 28-June-05, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan PC


	here is the plan so far... http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...npc/daplan.png I'm not sure about painting yet...

Well............you got the plan..........get modding......

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 02:11 PM

The aspire x qpack may be my best bet. After reading multiple reviews, I am starting to realize that it has more space. This will be important for watercooling. Project changed: aspire x qpack

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 02:58 PM

update

aspire x qpack case
dd watercooling
athlon 64 4000
6800 gt

green cold cathode on bottom of each side
replacement purple fan 120mm
2 blue 4in cold cathodes to show off cpu/motherboard
5 1/4 in drive bay resevoir
clear cd/dvd drive mod viewable through top

Romeo21779 · 28-June-05, 03:23 PM

The edit button works great considering the fact that the posts weren't even an hour apart.

Good strart. Very interested. Show some pics once you get started

hondatuner · 28-June-05, 03:56 PM

Yeah again use the edit button. If your concerned about heat so much look in to the 7800 basicly the same thing as the 6800 but less heat output and a smaller package.

Michigan PC · 28-June-05, 03:57 PM

thanks for the input

Cpt.Planet · 28-June-05, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan PC


	thanks for the input

I know post_break has a Aspire Q Pack and he really likes it alot. It looks like its a good buy and has alot of potential. BTW WTF is with your sig? Soon to be sff forum moderator?

28-June-05, 08:48 AM		#1 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	Project: Michiganian Lan Machine- Aspire X qpack This summer I plan on building a sff gaming rig. I like the x qpack and the shuttles but not enough for my build. I am thinking of using the antec aria. It looks like it can be easily moddable. I plan on cutting a large window on the side and doing a new paint job. One of the problems with the aria is heat....I would watercool it if it fit .Does anybody know if a watercooling system could fit in the aria. Does anybody know if the psu can be replaced? I have never built with an aria Last edited by Michigan PC; 28-June-05 at 02:26 PM..

28-June-05, 10:00 AM		#5 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	thats a good point. I am removing the slots from under the drive bay and putting in a 5 1/4in resevoir. This should look pretty good. Anyone have any other modding ideas? I should be able to get started soon I am ordering it tonight. Can the leds on the front be removed? I don't know how they are attached. Last edited by Michigan PC; 28-June-05 at 10:11 AM..

28-June-05, 11:01 AM		#6 (permalink)
hondatuner Apex Tech Maniac Supreme	You sent me a Pm asking for help so here's my two cents. Personaly I would go for the Zalman, especially since your going to be throwing this in the back seat driving to LAN parties. That leaves a lot of chance for your watercooling and G-forces to conspire against you. But it you are dead set on doing watercooled.... Look at 1/4 or 3/8 inch tubing. This is just to make sure you can get tubing every where you need it with a little less trouble. Look for the lowest profile waterblock you can find. Again this is for easy installation for you, but also to make sure it can fit. Find a 12v pump that is compact Make sure you have a filler port or someway to put more coolent in your system. If you don't do this your screwed from day one. I'm not an expert on watercooling but this is what I would do in my own system. But in a box this small and for what your using it for i would go for an air set up.

28-June-05, 12:20 PM		#8 (permalink)
GrandpaNoob72 Eleven-Bravo Sitrep Writer	^^^What he said, and I would go further as to maybe use a spare SFF case to house the main WC stuffs... The radiator, pump, and/or res. From the waterblock(s) to the side or rear panel of your system case, where they terminate into quick-disconnect fittings, tubing between the QD fittings to the QDs on the WC carry case, then to the rad/res/pump. (See fingerpaint quality drawing, attached) Attached Thumbnails

28-June-05, 01:56 PM		#13 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	here is the plan so far... plan removed I'm not sure about painting yet... Last edited by Michigan PC; 28-June-05 at 02:24 PM..

28-June-05, 09:10 AM		#2 (permalink)
RexBeans Explosion Apex Master Tech	Does anyone know how many more projects you will start? Seeing how you are the SFF Master this advise must already be know to you. The answer to your watercooling question is yes, depending on your equpiment selection. And to your PSU question, I don't know why you would want to replace the it as you will be hard pressed to find another internal for the aria that will serve you better. You could always use any full size PSU externally if you wish. Heat will not be a big issue, assuming you don't block all forms of intake. I beleive you can fit a Zalman 7000 in the Aria with much less work than a water based cooling option.

28-June-05, 09:37 AM		#3 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	This is the project I am sticking with...thank you for your sarcasim. What I want to know is if a more powerful power supply will fit in the aria.

28-June-05, 11:08 AM		#7 (permalink)
Highperf15 a.k.a., Frank Bullitt	What about making an "external" setup.............similar to what Corsair has on the market and use something like a hydraulic quick-disconnects.........

28-June-05, 12:32 PM		#9 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	I will think about this. Can I change or replace the leds? I don't know if they are attached or whatever. Also, do you think tin snips are strong enough to cut a window in this case? I will probably use a jigsaw

28-June-05, 01:34 PM		#10 (permalink)
Digital-World Old Skool Pimp	I hope you stick with this project... The pimps have helped you with many already that never got off the ground...

28-June-05, 01:37 PM		#11 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	I am definently sticking with this project. Does anybody know if the leds can be changed?

28-June-05, 02:11 PM		#15 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	The aspire x qpack may be my best bet. After reading multiple reviews, I am starting to realize that it has more space. This will be important for watercooling. Project changed: aspire x qpack Last edited by Michigan PC; 28-June-05 at 02:22 PM..

28-June-05, 02:58 PM		#16 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	update aspire x qpack case dd watercooling athlon 64 4000 6800 gt green cold cathode on bottom of each side replacement purple fan 120mm 2 blue 4in cold cathodes to show off cpu/motherboard 5 1/4 in drive bay resevoir clear cd/dvd drive mod viewable through top

28-June-05, 03:23 PM		#17 (permalink)
Romeo21779 Apex Master Tech	The edit button works great considering the fact that the posts weren't even an hour apart. Good strart. Very interested. Show some pics once you get started

28-June-05, 03:56 PM		#18 (permalink)
hondatuner Apex Tech Maniac Supreme	Yeah again use the edit button. If your concerned about heat so much look in to the 7800 basicly the same thing as the 6800 but less heat output and a smaller package.

28-June-05, 03:57 PM		#19 (permalink)
Michigan PC Apex Master Tech Apprentice	thanks for the input

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