Antec Sonata Mod Worklog and Water Cooling Setup - Work in Progress

[Safeway]

As soon as I finish hosting the pictures and making a nice write, it will be posted for your viewing pleasure. Here's a little teasing:

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IPO - Initial Public Offering
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Early shot, LCD 90% complete
Getting ready to cut

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Update: 08.02.2005 - Front Bezel Work
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~ LCD ~
Door prior to modding
MS Paint mock-up of mod in question
LCD Installed with screws + nuts
Up-close shot of LCD and clean cuts
Back of LCD
Painting in progress, taped off LCD
Close-up on LCD, painted and installed

~ Switches ~
Back of bezel, where contacts will be
Push-type switch I am using for LCD
Eyeballed switch location; eyeball twice, cut once
Switches installed

~ Intake ~
Work area with tools
Laying out the intake hole
Painters tape for protection
Front bezel of the Sonata
Close up of new intake

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More to come as I upload ...
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[imported_Kensai]

Coolio! I thought you were gonna get 4 X 40" LCDs into there somewhere. I was just wondering how.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: Safeway
As soon as I finish hosting the pictures and making a nice write, it will be posted for your viewing pleasure. Here's a little teasing:

Early shot, LCD 90% complete
Getting ready to cut

Nice longhorn symbol... *eg*. Would you mind if I put your stuff on my page (see sig) when you are done and get pics up? Just checking... Looking forward to seeing some mod work.
Tas.

 

[Safeway]

That longhorn symbol is gone now =(

It was replaced with a more efficient 120mm intake. The Sonata "front intake" isn't an intake at all. It's mounted in the middle of the case. In order to free up some space in the interior, I took that out and managed to put a fan completely within the front bezel - still using the integrated filter.

As for adding my computer to your site, that is fine by me. I will end up posting this worklog in full detail on my site as well, safey.net

 

[Mrvile]

:shocked: how are you gonna fit all that stuff into that little Antec case? Must see the finished product!

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
:shocked: how are you gonna fit all that stuff into that little Antec case? Must see the finished product!

Yeah, good question. Bring on the finished product! :thumbsup:

 

[Safeway]

How am I going to fit all of what into where?

I don't get what you mean =P

 

[Safeway]

2 new pictures

 

[Bona Fide]

How did you cut that hole for the front fan? A circular saw?

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
How did you cut that hole for the front fan? A circular saw?

Actually, I went out and bought a 4.5" hole cutter after I cut this hole. It's waaaay too much trouble to cut it with a scroll saw and then file it.

 

[Snowice]

nice cutting job!

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Snowice
nice cutting job!

Thanks! A ton of pictures added ...

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
How did you cut that hole for the front fan? A circular saw?

Actually, I went out and bought a 4.5" hole cutter after I cut this hole. It's waaaay too much trouble to cut it with a scroll saw and then file it.

But that hole will only be ~113mm wide...don't you need 120mm? You're cheating yourself out of some airflow

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
How did you cut that hole for the front fan? A circular saw?

Actually, I went out and bought a 4.5" hole cutter after I cut this hole. It's waaaay too much trouble to cut it with a scroll saw and then file it.

But that hole will only be ~113mm wide...don't you need 120mm? You're cheating yourself out of some airflow

Actually, when I had a case fan, a 4.5" hole saw, and a 4.75" hole saw to compare ... I found that the 4.5" was the best fit really.

Edit: I just checked and we have a 4.75" in the garage that I didn't know about =)

 

[imported_Kensai]

Nice intake. I like it.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I didn't know that you updated your pics, I've been so busy with crap. Very nice!!! What else do you have planned for the machine?
Tas.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
I didn't know that you updated your pics, I've been so busy with crap. Very nice!!! What else do you have planned for the machine?
Tas.

Well, I am adding a triple 120mm radiator. I am doing something with a PSOne LCD that I have ripped apart. I might add sound insulating foam sheets.

Other than that, I think I'm going to add a 120mm blowhole, so I can run all my fans at very low speed.

Hmm, I cut out the back fan grill mesh, and will be adding a chrome one to match the front.

AND! I want to paint the inside, drive rails, and back, etc. a primer satin black.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Paint the inside... Interesting. Do you think that would mess with the temps though? Well, I guess not, since you have sound insulating foam, huh.... Interesting. If you get a chance, let me know how that foam works for you. I'd like to see. I've considered it, but I don't think it would matter in the least in my case.
Tas.

 

[Safeway]

Well, alot of people paint the inside of their case. I don't have a window, but I still want to just so the back can look acceptable.

 

[Safeway]

The pump that I recieved (and/or the controller box) is/are broken.

So no luck posting pictures of that yet.