NZXT "Bio-Mechincal" Khaos Project

[MonsterMawd]

The KHAOS case arrives at Mnpctech.com

[flash=425,344]http://www.youtube.com/v/9PNgWB8UpDw&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]


At the end of video, I debated about doing a giger (alien movie) or watchmen, I've chosen the bio-mechnical theme. Heres one of my favorite HR GIGER paintings, "Landshaft XIX" Theres so many details!

Heres the entire bay assembly removed from the chassis.

Whats your remedy for a headache?!

This is the housing from a small motor I found. I love the design. The skull will be hosting the system Power & Reset switches (22mm & 16mm lamptron vandal switches, w/orange leds) The mounting plate I made (below) attaches to the upper half of the skull.

NZXT Khaos panels look cool, but the hang out in the wind... Maybe keep them and do BATMAN theme mod...lol

We made these 1-1/4" thick, 6061 aluminum. 6.5" O.D front intakes,

 

[grieve]

Awesome!

 

[Dahak]

Let's see a final picture of the completed project.Looking good so far.

Dahak

ASUS P5N-D
C2D E8500 STOCK
ZALMAN 9500 CPU COOLER
2X2GIG DDR2 1066 IN DC MODE
TOUGHPOWER 850WATT PSU
EVGA GTX 260
SMILIDON RAIDMAX GAMING CASE
LG 24IN WS LCD 1920X1080
250GIG HD/500GIG HD
LOGITECH G15 GAMING KEYBOARD
G5 GAMING MOUSE
LOGITECH Z-5500 5.1 SURROUND SYSTEM
500WATS CONTINUOUS,1000 PEAK
WIN XP PRO

 

[MonsterMawd]

It's not finished yet

"Hey, It's Spin Art!"

 

[Albertwacca]

The intakes look superb

 

[MonsterMawd]

The intakes look superb

Thank you, Pre-fitting skull and intake covers now.. I need to fab a 5.25 cage above the skull, thinking I may salvage a quick release style 5.25 bay from the old chieftec dragon tower. Imagine if the skull matte blackalready.. Yum, but I'm still working on detailing the skull, so it will be awhile before I paint it.

 

[MonsterMawd]

This weekend my focus will go back to adding more details to my friend, Skully.

My Magic Sculptarrived, after receiving the wrong product, Magic Smooth. I can't blame them, the product labels are very similar. Tap's customer service is one of the best I've ever dealt with. They took care of everything quickly, answered emails, and called to follow up with me about crediting the balance on my credit card. Very friendly over the phone. They're the business I strive Mnpctech to be like.

ARTbyTROY posted an excellent comparison of sculpting compounds for case modding. His article prompted my decision to try Magic Sculpt.

Sculpting Tools I chose

 

[MonsterMawd]

I started with the skull today, adding mechanical aspects, like these vented and screw joints.

I will dremel details in these sculpted parts, 24 hrs after Magic Sculpt has fully cured

Small pan head machine screws

It only takes a few drops of water to smooth the surface of Magic Sculpt

Hex Nut with tooth washer doubles as port for plastic wire loom

 

[MonsterMawd]

Last night I worked on the chassis.

This 1/8" thick aluminum plate will reside underneath the foam/fiberglass top panel, which later will be sculpted with proper ventilation. In this case, a BIX 240 Stealth radiator.

I posted radiator template print-outs you can download. (PDF Files)

Before printing, you must select "None" for page scaling in your print dialogue box!

Download Page for each template

Radiator Templates Download Page

my center punch

 

[MonsterMawd]

Top 240 rad mount, 1/8' thick aluminum plate

low brow art?...lol

 

[Shadow703793]

Very nice. Get some WC set up to go with the awsomeness.

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

God damn it monstermawd you are a god at this. Everytime you post I want to run out and dremel and paint the crap out of everything, wish I had the time for a case mod. This one is particularly kickass since you are taking a monster of a case and making it into something even more beastly! Just bookmarked this thread so you can be sure I'll be watching!

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

Comment on the video, my Silverstone TJ07 came with a dual PSU jumper like the one in the Khaos case and it was sleeved as well, black and green. Two things pop out to me about that case:

1: Overpriced, it just does not have look like it has the quality other $300-$400 cases and it seemed to be designed with looks and wow factor in mind, and not balanced function.

2: It just does not look like a good watercooling case even with mods. It is a bit tight in there and seems like it would be a bitch to run thick tubing in it.

 

[Shadow703793]

I want to run out and dremel and paint the crap out of everything,

Yeah, I know the feeling...

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thanks for the comments guys!, back to the bench for this project today, Black Plastic loom in (1/4" and 1/2" diameter) will be embedded and intertwined throughout the bezel and top panel. The entire skull will be painted matte black

 

[Shadow703793]

Quick question, exactly how thin/thick are the walls of the tubing you are using for the loop?

 

[MonsterMawd]

I havent decided on tubing yet. I'm still modding the case.

I carved a basic shape first, for the bezel. Then I'll carve and sculpt notches and crevices into it

 

[Shadow703793]

I havent decided on tubing yet. I'm still modding the case.

Sorry, I meant the black tubing on the skull. I thought you were using that as part of the loop.

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

I havent decided on tubing yet. I'm still modding the case.

Sorry, I meant the black tubing on the skull. I thought you were using that as part of the loop.

Wow that would be sick. Run 1/2" or 3/5" tubing through the tubes in the skull. Though it would put MM's watercooling skills to the test trying to bend that tubing like that. I for one like rigid and thick tubing that I know wont break. As cool as it sounds, I'm not sure it would be practical. That said, how much of case modding is practical?

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

With some good dye (especially red) in the liquid you could light up the inside of the skull in a very menacing way, that would really draw the eye.

 

[MonsterMawd]

I see what you mean, I'll probally make the loop very inconspicuous. I hate having water lines in the way when i need access hardware.

If you've ever examined giger's bio-mechincal art up close, especially his paintings.. everything is symmetrical, in one direction while every element of the design is different. Old circuitry is the only way I can describe it. Theres a massive amount of detail. I can already tell it will be overwhelming at times if I'm not in the mood. Theres just no way I or anyone else will come close to replicating his work. You can only draw upon it as inspiration for your own style.

My personal challenge with this project is that my brain likes to see everything symmetrical and matching. "Theres a notch on the left side, so there should be a notch on the right side" I have to force myself to stop thinking like this. However, I also think a lot of people neglect to see these details in his work and it doesn't matter as much I think it does.

giger's "New York VIII" painting

 

[MonsterMawd]

Skully is now painted, Matte Black, and hes gone back into his 5.25 column

 

[Shadow703793]

Just too damn amazing, I just really wish you'd go with red, red and black is just pure amazing.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thanks!

Heres the tools I use to sculpt the insulation foam, but it's always good to experiment on your own.

To cut thick foam, I use a snap-off blade utility knife.

To smooth the pieces, I use a Surfoam Shaver by Stanley Tools

For making intricate details in the foam, I'll use an array of the tungsten carbide cutter bits from Dremel, I mainly use the #9911

 

[Shadow703793]

Quick question, are you going to put any kind of hardener on the foam, so that when you bump in to it it won't dent?

PS: I'm following your project on acidmods too