The PC As A Fashion Statement

Modding a PC does not have to add a lot of time to construction. 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 teen-age daughter without her input; you can easily fall out of step with the latest trends. 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 computers for your customers.

Once you've gathered the materials (see "You've Got the Look," right), it's time to begin a 10-step process toward one cool PC.

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 or applying a casewrap.

2. If you're planning to use a casewrap, clean and dry the surface to be wrapped. Then work the casewrap slowly into place. Use a vinyl applicator or wrap your hand in a paper towel. Smooth out any bubbles, and press radially out from the center of the sheet. Trim the casewrap at the seams with a utility knife.

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 three-pin power headers on the fan controller.

5. Install an illuminated exhaust fan. First, secure the fan to the case using four screws. Unpack the 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 three-pin lead from the fan. Plug the four-pin Molex connector on the fan into a lead from the main power supply.

6. Install custom fan grills. Power-supply fan grills make excellent choices, as do 110-mm rear-exhaust grills. But note that many custom grills are much more decorative than functional.

7. Attach all case fans to the fan controller leads. The dials on the controller adjust the speed of the fans.

8. Attach the inverter with the electro-luminescent wire to power. Secure it with Velcro tabs. Then string the EL wire through the case; plastered against the acrylic window or weaved 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.

10. Install the included LCDC software from Matrix Orbital. You can preconfigure plug-ins for your customers at this time, including weather and stock updates from the Internet.

Jason Compton ([email protected]) is a freelance technology writer based in Evanston, Ill.

You've Got the Look

What you'll need and the specific products used for this System Recipe:

PC tower: Dynapower Model 86B2 Black ATX Mid-Tower.

High-capacity PC power supply: The Dynapower case comes with a 430-watt power supply, which should be sufficient for most configurations.

LCD display: Matrix Orbital MX212 display.

Electroluminescent (EL) wire: 1/8-inch thick and glows when powered.

Illuminated fans: Sunbeam and other firms manufacture colored plastic cases 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.

Fan controller: Vantec Nexus NXP-205 controller.

Casewrap (optional): Casewraps.com specializes in a variety of designs.

Assorted tools: Screwdrivers; needle-nose pliers; adhesive-backed Velcro tabs and strips; zip-ties and heat-shrink tubing or netting; drill, rotary tool or hole saw; and assorted sandpaper and steel wool.