I hear Watercool a lot. Lets continue focusing on Watercooling and shelf Phase for now.

Howdy teamsters!

I had a chance to chat with Bill for about an hour on the phone today. We discussed the whole "car theme " issue, and realize that some of you may be apprehensive, thinking that we're going a bit crazy with it, wanting to graft model car parts onto the case or something. Yes, i was throwing that type of thing out there, but only for the purpose of brainstorming this thing out. The reality is...I was just looking at that particular car for styling cues, not to build an exact replica. Reality always sets in with the crazier mod ideas, and we certainly don't want to make it so complicated that it is not feasible to build.

We did discuss some ideas for a grille, but in order to allow everyone to visualize it, we need sketches. Both he and I plan to brainstorm our idea out, and hopefully will have something for you by the weekend, or latest next week. At that point, we can accept it or throw it out, add to it or start another path. We did consider that using the Caddy theme could limit the inclusion of more modern tribal style elements, so if any of those old school elements are used, they will be blended in a way that goes with modern gear and designs fitting with PR's previous graphics.

So that we can keep things moving, I would like the team here to think about what particular aspects you would like to work on. There is of course the hardware to spec out. Keeping in mind that the "client" is Gary, what hardware specs would we want to shoot for? I know Gary is now a fan of RAID5 HDD configurations, so how will we accommodate that in the specs and in the case layout? Throw some specs out there folks.

I agree with those of you that like the watercooling idea. There are so many cool things to be done with that, both for function and visual appeal, and nearly anyone can understand what's going on just by looking at it. To elaborate on BA's idea regarding the exposed acrylic tubing, and some of BeachBum's and GN's ideas about exposing the watercooling elements, I'd like to throw out the idea of incorporating some flow indicators, and perhaps a U-tube manometer with some backlighting. The manometer gives a visual representation of the water pressure in the cooling system, and can even be calibrated. Something to think about, anyhoo. We can also start to work on what exactly it is we want to cool, and what gear would fit the purpose once the core hardware is decided on. Some sketches of the loop layouts would be helpful.

I'd like to add that even though Bill and I are working out a grille idea, there's no need to get stuck on any one theme at this point. Please, by all means, throw some sketches out there of your ideas so we can all see what might work or what might be a direction to go. I'd like to see us decide on a theme direction sometime before the end of the month.

Hey Guys,

I'm here and reading everything. I got some ideas bubbling in my head just trying to think through a little.
I wanna do a few sketches also... but I got an idea.
I'll post later this evening.

Cheers,
Grumb

Anyone have a link to this 57 mod??

oops i posted this idea in the wrong thread (old one). so here it is in the new one

I like the tribal idea alot....the theme ideas now are:

-Blue
-Tribal
-Old school pimp caddy
-Purple
-Gold
-PimpRig
-Leather ?

my thaughts:
All of those would blend seamlesly sept for the gold, if we do blue then the gold realy wouldnt match very well but the purple would, so maybe replace gold for chrome?? that way we could incorperate PR Blue without the colors clashing.. if gold is in the theme then only purple would match (yeah im a little metro, so what )

i was thinking puting something like this somewhere.


but use the dials for other purposes, MPH=hard drive, RPM=cpu speed (x2) , temp=...temp lol ...etc
what do yah think? making a custom one should be easy.

Howdy team!
After a few great Skype meetings with those that could attend (Hint, hint team....get the software and join us!), we decided that to keep things going it would be best to break up into sub-teams. They are:
H2O Pimps: BigAkita, Anti-M and BeachBum86
You guys will be deciding what to cool, with what, and how.
Panel Pimps: Lokie, GrandpaNoob 72, MasterP and Grumblestiltskin
This team will be deciding what to do with the case panels and general aesthetics.
LED Pimps: Twizted and Wordbiker
Lighting and case wiring, specialty electronics.
Hardware Pimps:Red02
Hardware selection and procurement.
Bezel Pimps: mnpctech_guy and Wordbiker
Bezel pimpage...'nuff said.

Suggestions can be made by any team member of course, but the sub-teams will be doing the work.
Thanks to Pharoah's excellent suggestion, we will be including the names of all donators to this project on a laser-etched panel as Bill stated. I wanted to re-state that to tell the members that are posting in the public thread that we are listening to your suggestions, and we are VERY grateful for your help!
At this point we are still brainstorming, so let's get some visual aids posted to get everyone on the same page. Sketches are probably the best way to do this. I have had a busy last couple days, but I may have something to post by tomorrow.

Edit....Post Removed...I did not realize this was a team member only worklog....
Lack of attention on my part makes me the idiot....LOL
Sorry about that guys...and gals...
Digi

A couple ideas from talking to Wordbiker this afternoon:
he convinced me to put up my finger-paint-skilled rendition of a "false wall" for the front right side of the case, to hide the IDE/SATA cables, PSU cables, and even the front panel cables. The lines in red represent the false wall itself, and all the hashed lines are for the components' cables that are being hidden by the false wall... Try not to laught too hard, ok?
On another front, and while I know I'm part of the panel team, we also kinda talked about the watercooling side, and threw some ideas out there... Do we really need what, 10 optical bays? Cut out the bays below the horizontal support beam, and put some watercooling goodies in there... Maybe a double or triple 120 radiator up against the inside front part of the chassis?

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OK, as promised...a first sketch.

OK, flame away....

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I drew up a quick concept on some front mounted rads, im pretty sure that it will perform well with dual pumps with some nice head.

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Well, I'm back from my little excursion - been reading through the ideas that have been thrown around (You all have been BUSY!)

Just a couple of things:
From a hardware side, since GK is a RAID5 fan, why not get some 5.25" drive cages like these:
http://www.yycase.com/si-0357.htm
They take up 3 x 5.25" bays and hold either 5 IDE, SATA or SCSI drives (sideways) - that'd save some extra space up for a monster rad in the front
(you could also go for something like those Thermaltake icages, but they only hold 3 disks)

Also, I like Word's sketch
What about layering the flames (going along with the layered window idea - It'd mean having them stick out the side of the bezel a little more, but it might break up the box shape a little more.

GPN: false wall's got my vote

Will have another thinking session tonight and hopefully get back tomorrow with some more ideas (maybe even pictures!!??!!)

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Thanks for the positive feedback, Master_P

Basically, the idea is to have a rectangular box with two of the sides missing (one wide and one narrow), and the remaining two vertical to hide the cables and such. The standing narrow side would be drilled only to allow the cables to poke through, and it would reach from the inside of the front chassis to just about 1/4" to 1/2" from the right side edge of the mobo tray. This is going to depend a little on the size of the motherboard we get to put in this puppy, but the idea being that everything is hidden until it just can't be hidden anymore.

Another option, but still sort of on line with the false wall idea is to drill/cut the motherboard tray to accomodate the cables and wires, so they come up out of the motherboard tray, right along the edge of the motherboard. Look closely at the bottom pic HERE, you'll see what I mean... It is a close-up, and only shows the IDE cables, but I think the overall gist of what I'm saying will become clearer... This is something I was going to be doing (and still plan on doing, after this project is complete) to my Untitled Project...

If absolutely necessary, I can get crackin' on learning how to show it in somewhat 3D, in Sketchup... Kindly received an eval copy of it this weekend, and just doodling around with it, I think it's something that's going to take my fingerpaint skillz to the next level...

I'll be out of the 'net for the next 24-48 hours or so, 24-hour duty up at work, so good luck to all and keep brainstorming, I think we've got something really special coming together already!

Wordbiker, exelant first scetch but the tribal PR looks off...Never really liked it.

I know I know if i get some time I will draw something up but the Window from Red02's windo is a cool PR tribal.

Yes, lets remove the lower portion of drive bays. That will leave us with six 5.25 bays
Tentive agreement (Skype conference on Thur) is that PRT utilizes a mimimum of 3 HDs. Twizted noted that WD's Clear Cover Raptors would be cool. We would have to pursue WD for sponsership though.

Digital (Crashes thru wall of the gang's hideout ) World - Thanks for the offer. I think your plans are safe for a cadillac theme case.

Bigakita & AnitM - Your ideas for the inside, def noted for the final touch dept.

beachbum86 - Your first idea, very cool, but re-think it with customized reservoir(s)! We look forward to hearing what you come up with

Wordbiker - I'm kicking out sketchs for the bezel too. You and I will talk this week.

Masterp - Raid module makes good sense. Its expandble to 2 more HDs if needed. Lets tentively install it. (photo attch) Repost your product link too (bad).

GrandpaNoob72 - for false wall and stealth cabling. Note, the gap is only 3/16" between MB tray and right panel, so nothing bigger than SATA cables.

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beachbum86 - back to your top panel chop idea, Each side panel has 2 hinges (folded lip) that mount onto the rear of chassis via 4 slots @ very top and bottom. I would have to cut around the top slots (see photo) basically leaving these 2 slots sticking up if you want to "chop" the top panel.

I've had to tackled this issue before. I re-mounted similar side panels with piano hinges. In order to allow the side panel to "swing open" you must remove the folded lip. This lip gives your panel it's rigidity, so without that lip, it flops , esp if we plan some cool design for it. I had to reinforce the panel with alum bars..(see photo) Based on what I've experienced with these, Its not worth the hassle of trying to redesign them.

So, keep that in mind for whatever youre brainstorming for the top of the case.

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ahhhh crap, i accidently exited the browser and lost alll my typing
well here it goes again.

So a custome res for the front radiators i was thinking of an oversized 5.25" bay res that we could actually use as part of the false wall, make it out of Tinted blue or UV blue acrylic and do some etches in it. Then make some spots where we could put in some UV LED's so the etches glow. There is a quick concept in the attatchments i have down below.
another option would be to make multiple ports on the res and flip the flow around.

An idea if we do the Chop Top thing, is to keep the rads where there at and make a custome res for the top, First tak a sheet of Blue acrylic (tinted or UV) and a regualar clear sheet. stack them and cut out a slender PR logo (top and bottom peices), then take a long strip of acrylic about 2" inches wide and bend it around the PR logo. Now take that bent peice and put it inbetween the two peices with the blue on bottom and glue it together making it water tight. put this whole peice on standoffs within the recessed case top and put a couple of these CLL's under it . now when you look through the top of the custome res you will see the bottom lighted up with a cool wave effect. When you look around the PR logo, since its recessed in type of a oval bowl and painted the glossy color of the case, you will see somthing similare to when you go to seaworld and go to the shark tank and see the rippleing light effect on the floor. should look pretty sweet

and to solve the problem about the hinges, this idea doesnt realy need to go all the way back, it could just be 2" from the back and roll into the chop portion. thisis basically to take care of alot of the dead space in the upper portion of the case.

Oh, and i have an extra good looking HDD rack from my silver surfer case. it only needs 4 rivets to put in place.

And can we get some basic dimensions of the case? would make it easier for me to think of things to do.

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beachbum86
If you look at the links in Wordbiker's post on the first page, there are images of the case with basic dimensions.

OMG i must be mentally challenged becuase i cant find it

i see the length and hight in bills post but i need width too...ill look some more

Here ya go beachbum.
Let me know if you need anything else measured.

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Black Ice Triple Rad dimensions from hardware labs site

Bix Extreme III
15.63" L x 5.25" W x 1.77" thick

Bix Pro III
15.63" L x 5.25" W x 1" thick

15.63" still leaves 6 of the top 5.25 bays open.