Case Mod & PC build for "Battlefield 3"

Here is the "BF3" theme case mod in anticipation of Battlefield 3: BF3 release on 10.25.2011 by Electronic Arts. Fractal Design's Arc Mid tower case was chosen for the project.

Fractal Design new "Arc" Midi Tower Case.



Fractal design Arc Mid tower fully dismantled for custom paint.



The name badge in the bezel was filled with Evercoat's Everglass" Fiberglass "short hair" filler.



After sanding the filler with Medium Grit sandpaper..



Scuffing surface of steel chassis parts, plastic bezel with Red Scothbrite Pad, to create paint adhesion for the Primer.




Dissected and Magnified each segment from camouflage pattern on 8.5" x 11" paper. Each segment was traced and cut in cardboard for individual stencils.



RUSTOLEUM Specialty series "camouflage" paints. I purchased these from Home Depot



Camouflage paint job is finished.



Camouflaged motherboard tray? Yes, the entire interior was painted.



For a rugged military look, we chose these recessed PC case handles, http://www.mnpctech.com/BlackRecessedHandle.html



The recessed PC handles are ready for installation and spring loaded, so they don't flop while transporting your PC.

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Using stencil included with handles along with measuring square to determine exact location for the recessed PC handles

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Using 1.5" Dremel reinforced cutting wheel to cut opening for [URL="http://www.mnpctech.com/BlackRecessedHandle.html"]recessed PC handles
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Using 1/4" drill bit for mounting holes of the recessed handles.

Cutting 3/16" thick aluminum Diamond Plate to use as accent plates for the handles.



Khaki base coat applied to the Diamond Plate accent plates.



Recessed PC handles and diamond plate installed and painted.




Airbrushed effect of side panel being peeled back by Mnpctech custom painter, Brad Galvin.



Brad's weapon of choice, Iwata's HP-CH airbrush gun.



Glowing effect airbrushed on the BF3 Marine.



Black outline airbrushed on BF3 Marine. A flat clear will be applied over the finished mural.



with Brad's guidance, I airbrushed the bullet holes and scratched paint effects on the access panel. I started with the easy task of filling the BF3 stencil on the left side panel.





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To create bullet holes in the cast acrylic PC window sheet, using #9901 Dremel Attachment Tungsten Carbide Cutter for Engraving

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Using Dremel to create bullet holes...

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The illusion of bullet holes, created in the custom paint and made in the [URL=http://www.mnpctech.com/acrylic_colored_sheets_casemod_windows1.html]cast acrylic PC window sheet
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Just a few more details to take care of, then we can install the system!

Thank you for the kind words!

regarding the window frame, it's upcoming modular billet kit for http://www.mnpctech.com/casemodstore.html ...hopefully be avail in few weeks

Very cool! and Yes, it's amazing how this market has grown. I would have never imagined there would be $300+ retail cases on the market...now we're seeing $600+ retail prices for Silverstone and TT....

Painting the machined aluminum bullet thumbscrews to look more authentic.



The surface is first prepped, using red scotch brite pad to scuff the bare aluminum


Is that a "cribbage board" for thumbscrews?, drilling holes in a piece of wood, works great for holding thumbscrews for paint. The threads were taped off.


For maximum paint adhesion, we use SEM brand self etching primer for the base coat


A couple coats of grey self etching primer


for holding the bullet thumbscrews, tape the bullet thumbscrews to paint stick





Paint entire bullet first copper color first, mask off the tip after cured, then paint the shell brass color.



After the paint has cured, I dry brushed the shells with "Antiquing Gel" by Home Decor. "Dry brushing" means you are painting with a brush that is almost 100% dry. It's an easy way to create a weathered effect or highlights. These are machined aluminum bullet thumbscrews



After 2 hours, the "Antiquing Gel" had cured. The final coat is a "Flat" Clear coat aerosol paint by KRYLON



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Yes, I would expect $1K and higher for Patrick's work....this build is for Fractal's booth at CES.

dude... amazing! do you have a website where you can be contacted by others who want this level of work done? if you dont then as soon as you finish this you need to make one. I know many people who would be willing to pay good money for such extreme and perfect case mods... what you have is a bloody talent that needs to be shared with all for profit.

Stealthed Blu-Ray drive face, painted and installed fan speed controller...

Oh snap! Very nice case. I love how your so deticated. I would pay 2k-3k for your custom made cases if I had the money.

Thank you for commenting! I will keep you updated

Wow that's amazing!

Incredible work. How many hours would you say you put into this?

Every done a Star Wars theme?

While I'm still waiting for the system hardware to arrive,
I'm adding final details to the interior, like these 140mm Honeycomb Fan Grills for the exhaust and floor intake, I've painting them camouflage, to match the painted interior.

http://www.mnpctech.com/120mm_Custom_FanGrill.html



Supplies in order of Use.
1. Red Scotch brite Pad to scuff the surface of the grills
2. Tack Cloth to clean
3. Red Primer (any color is fine)
4. Apply Rustoleum "Specialty Series" Camouflage Paints
5. Apply Matte Clear























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Thank you! and Sorry for lack of updates. ..I'm working on 3 other custom builds for CES, and it's getting down to crunch time.. The system hardware for BF3 has finally started arriving, so I could update you! First was Intel's i-7 2600 and Prolimtech Genesis cpu cooler. I was initially concerned about space for install / uninstall of the Patriot memory modules (w/ heat spreaders), but there is plenty of space! I bumped the asus sabertooth optional 50mm fan hole for cooling the P67 chipset to 60mm...and camouflaged the fan too! Final detail was cover the Apevia "Green blade" cooling fans with 120mm billet "Sniper" fan grills

Thanks for the comment and feedback!

Camouflaged the EVGA 560ti fan shroud, to match the painted interior of the PC.





I chose PATRIOT MEMORY for our system memory and solid state storage!

Patriot Memory WILDFIRE



Patriot Memory Division 2, VIPER EXTREME, DDR3

the mother of mad fps tower builds.

Hey guys, just a friendly fyi, if any of you planned to attend 2012 CES, in Las Vegas, January 10th - 14th, 2012... I will be there! I'll be handing out mini posters, So please drop by and Introduce yourself, I'd love to meet members from Tom's Hardware! I'll be sharing a booth with Fractal-Design, Located on Main Floor, South 2 - 25508. Hope to see you!


The BF3 PC and Black & White Arc PC I've built, will both be on display at Fractal-Design's booth

Thank you everyone! The "BF3" PC was a hit at CES! ThinkComputers.org dropped by my booth at CES for video of Battlefield 3 PC

http://youtu.be/-ZO9H1Qs8Zs

Amazing case

Thank you! Asus sells the sabertooth with the cover. It's ducted for the chipset. DazMode dropped by my booth at 2012 CES to check out the "BF3" PC for Fractal-Design. I also do overview of the "Carbon Arc" PC I built with 3M Di-Noc Carbon Fiber

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcEV0dE5nVI