Cooler Master 840 ATCS Project

[MonsterMawd]

I've started the build for Cooler Master's media suite at 2010 CES. The D-9 concept was mine after seeing the movie.

I should know by first week of November what hardware CM will be sending me.

Conceptual drawing by E.E.L. Ambiense


Case Mods & Supplies used in this project by Mnpctech.com


Machined Aluminum Computer Case Feet Link

Acoustical Sound Proofing Sheets for your PC

Mnpctech is now stocking clear and colored sheets of cast acrylic for window mods

http://www.mnpctech.com/colored_acrylic_sheet_casemod_window.html

This is the Honeycomb Modders Mesh we used.

PC Cable management clamps
http://www.mnpctech.com/CableClamp.html

http://www.mnpctech.com/Computer_Billet_Fan_Grills.html

http://www.mnpctech.com/Computer_Fan_Grills_Laser_PC_Fan_Grills.html

The canvas for this PC build is the Cooler Master 840 ATCS

Adding window to Cooler master 840 ATCS

Using tape roll to make curved corner

Make first initial cut with your Dremel and cutting wheel, to allow use of Jigsaw and cut the window more efficiently

You have created slot, this allows using a Jigsaw w/ 18 TPI cutting blade

Using a Jigsaw is much quicker than using a Dremel to cut your window

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thanks for comment! Once everything is assembled, all of the details like weathering, graphics, and effects can be airbrushed on the exterior like the concept drawing.

Left side panel, the hole will have burned effect airbrushed on later

Right side panel

Cooler Master sent over 3x 230mm red led fans, 1x for front intake, 2x top exhaust

The 840 normally comes with Black frame 230mm fans, no leds.

 

[MonsterMawd]

I've had this .5" x 25" flexible conduit lying around, I've always wanted to use it for routing cables. It fits the industrial theme. I've also got .25" i.d. flexible conduit.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

I like the flexible conduit. Never thought of using metal conduit. I got some "chrome" flexible plastic conduit at my local Fry's Electronics store for a case mod last year. Last night I was at Home Depot and spotted black flexible plastic conduit dirt cheap. Would be great for a case with an all black interior.

 

[MonsterMawd]

I agree, and have used it Johnny. I'm working on a HR GIGER biomechanical theme PC and used it on the bezel,

Here is the Prawn canister from the movie.

My canister will be lit with a 4" UV cold cathode, mounted on the inside wall of the back cover.

Once it's painted and the window is darkened a bit, it should look eerie.

canister back cover

for canister window, I'm going to bend a piece of clear 1/8" thick case acrylic with a heat gun, but more on that later!
http://www.mnpctech.com/acrylic_colored_sheets_casemod_windows1.html

 

[Shadow703793]

Wow.... nice work. Btw, what did happen to the biomech case? Anyways, wish CM ordered a WCed PC. That canister would have made a perfect res, and would have been awesome with a tornado effect.

 

[MonsterMawd]

I'm still looking for sponsorship of MB / CPU for that build.

I made the canister's window today. Using a heat gun to bend the Lexan.

Forming the arc in window by pressing heated piece on the Aluminum rod. It's HOT!

 

[MonsterMawd]

4" UV cold cathode.

UV looks Blue in the photos

The window will be painted to look murky, like the original canister

The canister will be painted tommorow

 

[Shadow703793]

That canister looks sick! Btw, where did you get that Aluminum block for the canister?

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thank you, It was 2" rod stock we had here already.

Orange Bezel with White intake plate installed. I cannot wait to grunge it up!

 

[Shadow703793]

MM, just took a look at the case mod store, would you guys happen to have any radiator fan grills for 420 rads?

 

[MonsterMawd]

No, but you can find them at performance-pcs.com Shadow

I chose the 1/4" socket head screws, these are fastened into the side panels

 

[Rustyy117]

Looks amazing !

Very nice job. Love it

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thanks! The Prawn canister can't remain Silver. I prepped the aluminum surface with medium grit sandpaper, applied Black SEM self etching primer, then headed over to Brad's so he could apply the Pewter base color coat. Brad did all of the Prawn canister graphics by applying vinyl film and cutting the designs free hand with an Exacto, he used the movie still for reference. Look Ma, No vinyl film plotter or software!

Prawn canister window was tinted like original

 

[Shadow703793]

Brad did all of the Prawn canister graphics by applying vinyl film and cutting the designs free hand with an Exacto, he used the movie still for reference. Look Ma, No vinyl film plotter or software!

Now THAT'S just skill and balls. A small mistake could have ruined a lot of work....

Anyways, thanks for the link, but there's only 4 or 5 grills for the 4x120 rads and non of them are exactly what I wanted. Looks like I gotta make on my self....

 

[MonsterMawd]

D-i-y dude!

While at the shop last night I cut some 1/8" thick mirrored acrylic sheets to encase the 5.25 bay around the canister location.

I used the Scotch 4010 Heavy Duty Tape to adhere onto the mirrored acrylic
http://www.mnpctech.com/scotch_4010_tape_of_the_casemod_gods.html

 

[MonsterMawd]

RUSTED GPU!

Watch E.E.L. Embiense demonstrate how to use the Sophisticated Finishes products for adding a rust effect to your Mods.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26Ud9T-doAc

 

[MonsterMawd]

I think Christopher left his scrap PC out in the rain a few times. To create those results, I apply the Iron Surfacer to the top panel first, then the Rust Solution after 10 mins. I repeated these steps over different locations on the exterior. The more Rust Solution you apply, the more Orange colored effect you get.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

AW GEE! I liked the pretty colors and now you go and grunge everything!

 

[MonsterMawd]

pretty colors + rust = cool

There will be an MNU logo painted on this optical drive. Christopher likely traded something towards it, so he could view cd rom archived files from MNU perhaps?

More rust effects occur..

The new 600W Cooler Master Silent PRO didn't look right in a POS computer, it was treated to "rust lovin" as well.

 

[Shadow703793]

Quick question, according to copyright,etc laws can you actually use all these logos,etc from the film on a project like this?

Anyways, great work, but I personally don't like that "rust" color?

 

[MonsterMawd]

District-9 is a dirty place. I would have a hard time imagining this looking pristine.

Intel Core 2 Duo 3.16 GHz Processor in Intel DX48BT2 Motherboard sent from Cooler Master.

I'm looking at this Cooler Master HYPER N620 and wondering ""What Christopher do differently with it?"

 

[MonsterMawd]

I wanted to direct the cooler air entering the front of the case to the cpu cooler. The 5.25 bay covers were removed to highlight the canister movie prop we made. It dawned on me that a fan duct could be mounted to a 120mm fan by modifying a 120mm round mesh fan grill. In the past, I would mold the fan duct into the front bezel with body filler, but this method is much easier and more versatile.

This method can be combined with 4.5" flexible tubing to isolate cool airflow. Imagine one end of the tube attached to a 120mm cooling fan in front of your case.
The 4.5" Flexible tubing can be found at Mcmaster, http://www.mcmaster.com/#duct-hose/=4zltce or you can "try" the "Heating & Cooling" department at hardware or home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowes.

Supplies & Tools:
120mm Modder's Mesh Round fan grill, http://www.mnpctech.com/120mm_Custom_FanGrill.html
4.5" fan duct, http://www.mnpctech.com/FanDuct.html
4, #10 x 5/8" fan screws, http://www.mnpctech.com/thumbscrew.html">#10 x 5/8" fan screws</a>
120mm cooling fan.
Paint pen or pencil.
Tin snips.
Wire cutter.

120mm Modder's Mesh Round fan grill, http://www.mnpctech.com/120mm_Custom_FanGrill.html

4.5" fan duct, http://www.mnpctech.com/FanDuct.html

Using a paint pen to trace the duct onto the round mesh grill.

a small wire cutter and Tin snips used to cut the 4.5" opening in the 120mm Modder's Mesh Round fan grill

You'll need to use the small wire cutter first, to make the initial cut before you can use the Tin Snips to cut the 4.5" hole.

Using Tin ship to cut the round mesh grill.

The result of you cutting should look like this.

120mm cooling fan. This fan has enclosed corners, you will need longer fan screws if you're mounting the fan onto something like a cpu cooler.

4, http://www.mnpctech.com/thumbscrew.html, #10 x 5/8" fan screws</a>

 

[MonsterMawd]

Yesterday I painted the 2x 120mm cooling fans from the Cooler Master HYPER N620, will post those photos soon!

140mm Aerocool Fan for the exhaust, was also painted Matte White

Fan Grill made from Round Modder's Mesh, http://www.mnpctech.com/moddersmesh.html

 

[bwilson420]

Love it!

Did you consider using the patina finish kit from Sophisticated Finishes in addition to their rust finish kit?

 

[Shadow703793]

^ That's a good idea!

@OP: Do you know where I can get 24x24" modder's mesh? The largest I'v seen is 24x12". After seeing your work here and other places, I thought I'd do a custom case too: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/272232-28-first-case-help-opinions#t2029305