- Apr 2, 2001
- 5,661
- 5
- 81
Lousy day. I got my 6 port baybus from FrozenCPU. Normally I don't buy anything from them since they jack their prices to the sky and shipping is awful, but this was the only place that I could find where I buy a 6 port baybus with blue/red leds AND get a black baycover. So I plunked down $42.32 for the baybus, black lian li baycover and shipping. I could have had them install it in the baycover for an additional $17, but since it came with a template, I figured how could I go wrong? Lots of ways:
Since Cooler Master (I have a silver ATC-201) doesn't make any black baycovers that you can buy (only dark gray and silver) I had to go with Lian-Li. Nobody could tell me whether they fit or not, not even FrozenCPU (they never responded to my inquiry). I found out myself that a Lian Li baycover in a CM case is a friction fit at best, but it's snug, so I doubt there would be any movement. I was discouraged, but not out yet.
I attempted to fit the template inside the baycover only to find that it was just slightly too big for it. It caused the template to flex if I really pushed it in. Not a big deal, since it was also snug enough that it shouldn't move (more on this later). I grabbed my drill, 1/4" bit and went to make holes.
This is where it goes awry. My first attempt snags the aluminum as it pokes through and twists the baycover out of my hand, despite my grip. The second hole does the same thing, so I put a piece of wood behind the baycover to remedy the situation. This works much better, as there is not a great shock from "breaking through" the aluminum. I finally finish my handiwork and take a look. (Pics would be good here, but I let a friend borrow my camera) Not only does the anodized aluminum have scratches in it, but my holes aren't straight! They kind of zig zag up and down, with one of the holes for the switches being so far out that the baybus doesn't even fit through the panel! Thoroughly disgusted, I threw out the now worthless baycover. I guess my drilling skills aren't good enough to drill through a damn template... FFS.
Since Cooler Master (I have a silver ATC-201) doesn't make any black baycovers that you can buy (only dark gray and silver) I had to go with Lian-Li. Nobody could tell me whether they fit or not, not even FrozenCPU (they never responded to my inquiry). I found out myself that a Lian Li baycover in a CM case is a friction fit at best, but it's snug, so I doubt there would be any movement. I was discouraged, but not out yet.
I attempted to fit the template inside the baycover only to find that it was just slightly too big for it. It caused the template to flex if I really pushed it in. Not a big deal, since it was also snug enough that it shouldn't move (more on this later). I grabbed my drill, 1/4" bit and went to make holes.
This is where it goes awry. My first attempt snags the aluminum as it pokes through and twists the baycover out of my hand, despite my grip. The second hole does the same thing, so I put a piece of wood behind the baycover to remedy the situation. This works much better, as there is not a great shock from "breaking through" the aluminum. I finally finish my handiwork and take a look. (Pics would be good here, but I let a friend borrow my camera) Not only does the anodized aluminum have scratches in it, but my holes aren't straight! They kind of zig zag up and down, with one of the holes for the switches being so far out that the baybus doesn't even fit through the panel! Thoroughly disgusted, I threw out the now worthless baycover. I guess my drilling skills aren't good enough to drill through a damn template... FFS.