How To Build Systems That Scream 'Look at Me!'

For nearly two decades, PCs were boring to look at. Buyers could have any color they wanted as long as it was beige, cream, or creamy beige. Basic black was a luxury, even a cause for celebration. But today PCs sport as many bells and whistles on the case as they do on the motherboard. It's easier than ever to work them into your own systems.

PC modification, also known as "case modding," grew slowly. It started with projects that spiffed up stock PCs with brighter, more colorful LEDs, small plexiglass windows, and elaborate cooling systems. But what started as a hobby powered by rotary tools and hacksaws has become big business. Today PC case-mod parts are plentiful and easy to install. More important, they're frequently required by discriminating buyers who don't want to feel outclassed at LAN parties.

Modding a PC does not have to add a lot of costly time to the construction. In fact, much of the work has been removed from the equation by the case manufacturers themselves. These companies, trying to keep pace with the modifications cooked up in garages and workshops by PC enthusiasts, are incorporating mods including acrylic windows, cold cathode or neon tubes, and illuminated fans directly in their designs.

To the degree possible, installing case mods should be a consultative process between you and your customers. Modding a case without the user's specifications is about as risky as planning a party for your teenaged daughter without her input; you can easily fall out of step with the latest trends and styles. But once you understand the most common options and how to work them into a desktop, you'll be able to work quickly with both plain-Jane and pre-modded PC cases to create unique and stunning computers for your customers. Here's what it takes:

Ingredients

• PC Tower. For this Recipe, I chose the Dynapower Model 86B2 Black ATX Mid-Tower. There are literally hundreds of chassis available at any given time, ranging from the basic beige monsters to fully preinstalled units with just about every conceivable hack in the book. The Dynapower 86B2 is a good compromise between the two. The case incorporates a pre-installed acrylic window, front-panel lighted columns, and side-panel fan mounting with a chassis temperature gauge and digital readout. Yet it still leaves room for improvisation. And it rings in for under $50 retail. Here's how it looks:
• High-capacity PC power supply. The Dynapower case comes with a 430-watt power supply, which should be sufficient for most configurations. But remember, any add-on that plugs in -- be it a fan, glow stick, or LCD readout -- taxes the power supply that much further. So if you're starting with a different case, aim high on the power supply. Favor power supplies with as many power plugs as possible, since not all electrical mods have pass-throughs or splitters.
• LCD Display. LCD panels are an increasingly popular way to provide alternate I/O for power users who can't get enough control of their PCs. They're also popular for headless media-center PCs that may be used exclusively to manage music playback. For this Recipe, I chose the Matrix Orbital MX212 display. It's shown below.
• Electroluminescent (EL) wire. A sleek alternative to dime-a-dozen foot-long cold cathode tubes, EL wire is just 1/8-inch thick and glows when powered. Unlike cold cathode tubes, the wire is flexible, making for more interesting designs.
• Illuminated fans. Sunbeam and other firms manufacture colored plastic case and CPU fans with integrated LEDs and cold cathode rings.
• Custom fan covers. CrazyPC.com and other outlets sell custom-cut metal and acrylic fan grills. These can be swapped for traditional concentric-circle models to create a more individualized look.
• Fan Controller. This unit mounts in a 3.5-inch drive bay and provides speed control for up to four case fans. For this Recipe, I chose the Vantec Nexus NXP-205 controller.
• Casewrap (optional). If your customers aren't interested in see-through windows or bright paint jobs, a Casewrap may better fit the bill. These adhesive vinyl sheets stick to case panels and can be peeled off and replaced when customers tire of them. Casewraps.com specializes in a variety of designs.
• Assorted tools. Securing your mod components in place can be as simple as snapping pieces together, but some assembly is required. At a bare minimum, you'll need an assortment of screwdrivers and needle-nose pliers. Also have a ready supply of adhesive-backed Velcro tabs and strips; these will come in handy when you need to tuck small items like cold cathode power inverters in place. Also, because any case with a clear window demands a clutter-free view of components, keep zip-ties and heat-shrink tubing or netting on hand. That will give gawkers a better look at the CPU and motherboard. If you plan to do any custom designs such as additional windows or access points for exotic cooling systems, then a drill, rotary tool or hole saw, and assorted sandpaper and steel wool are all a must.
• Okay, let's start building. Here are the 10 steps toward one cool PC.
• Building the Better-Than-Beige Box
• 1. If you intend to make any physical alterations to the case, do so before you install the PC's motherboard. That means using the rotary tool now to open up any additional fan ports -- though that shouldn't be necessary on a case like the Dynapower -- or applying a casewrap.
• 2. If you're planning to use casewrap, first clean and dry the surface to be wrapped. Then work the casewrap slowly into place. Use a vinyl applicator or you're your hand wrapped in paper towel. Either way, work carefully to smooth out any bubbles, and press radially out from the center of the sheet. Once all the air bubbles have been worked out, you can trim the casewrap at the seams with a utility knife. You can also use a heat gun or hair-dryer to ensure the grip of the sheet. But limit these tools to short blasts, as you don't want to melt the casewrap.
• 3. Install the Vantec fan controller in an open 3.5-inch drive bay. Secure the tray in the bay. Connect one of the power supply leads to the large (Molex) power connector on the inside.
• 4. Connect the four power extension leads to the four 3-pin power headers on the fan controller. The leads have both a four-pin Molex and three-pin mini connector for linking up with case fans. But use only one.
• 5. Install an illuminated exhaust fan. First, secure the fan to the case using four screws. Unpack the small power inverter used to supply current to the cold cathode ring, and secure it to the case with Velcro tabs. Next, plug one end of the inverter into a Molex lead from the main power supply, and attach the other end to the small 3-pin lead from the fan. Plug the four-pin Molex connector on the fan into a lead from the main power supply. As you add other cold cathode tubes or fans, remember that many inverters can power two or more tubes. So check the empty
• 6. Install any custom fan grills. First, remove the four screws holding the current grill in place, then substitute the new design. Power-supply fan grills make excellent choices, as do the 110-mm rear exhaust grills. Some options are quite eye-catching: biohazard symbols and exotic fantasy beasts. But note that many custom grills are much more decorative than functional. That means they're not a good choice for environments where small children, pets, or anything else is liable to get tangled in the fan blades.
• 7. Attach all case fans -- or, if there happen to be more than four, the four loudest and highest-powered -- to the fan controller leads. The dials on the controller adjust the speed of the fans, so they can be turned down under lighter processing loads or when higher temperatures can be traded off for peace and quiet.
• 8. Attach the inverter with the electro-luminescent wire to power. Secure it with Velcro tabs. Then string the EL wire through the case; either plastered against the acrylic window, or weaving through expansion cards are both good choices.
• 9. Install the Matrix Orbital MX212 LCD panel in an open 5.25-inch bay. Secure it to the chassis with screws. Then string the attached USB cable through the case, out the back, and into a free USB slot. (Alternately, you can use a small cable adapter and attach the panel to a USB pad on the motherboard.)
• 10. Install the included LCDC software from Matrix Orbital. You can preconfigure plug-ins for your customers at this time, including live weather and stock updates from the Internet, or Winamp interfaces that allow playlists to be scanned directly from the LCD panel buttons.
• Your customers can't help but notice that PCs are becoming fashion statements. There's no reason to cede that market to the specialty gamer-PC builders or garage enthusiasts. Adding mods to a desktop build can add flavor to a dull computer. It can also add some personality to some of the cookie-cutter pre-modded tower cases now being rushed to market.
• JASON COMPTON is a technology writer who has covered topics ranging from 8-bit entertainment to supercomputing for more than a decade.
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