by Glenn Hefley
Customizing a computer case can be seen as a form of art, or simply a personal revolt against the color beige. For the most part the case of a computer is nondescript in its design and function. It's a case. It holds the parts. It protects them from cats named Eddie. For some computer enthusiasts however this is not enough. They don't want a nondescript beige box which meekly hides in the corner or under the desk. They want a work of art.
What we are talking about here is called "Modding" -- Modifying the look of the case, and some of the internal parts. This is a broad category. Some case modifications have more purpose than others. Overclockers, those who modify their CPUs to run faster than the factory intended, use modified cases to allow the use of elaborate cooling systems. Heat is the bane of the CPU, and when pushing a chip to speeds far past the norm, serious effort has to be put into keeping the chip cool. Water and oil cooled systems are common -- using cases which allow access for the extra piping and recyclers.
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Between these two are those who want style, and attitude. While not concerned with the general box shape, they still want a computer that creates a mood, and enhances their environment. Something that fits Disturbed's song 'Down with the Sickness', would be nice. A majority of these computer enthusiasts are Gamers, but not all of them. Graphic artists, video editors, and anyone who views a computer as a canvas for the expression of art may alter their work environment to fit their creative mood.
Some Tools You'll Want
A dremel tool would be on top of my list. This high-speed rotary tool can be used for cutting, drilling, shaping, grinding, polishing, and more on anything from wood to plastic to hard steel. A Dremel can open up new vent holes for fans, cut out windows in the side panel, or create intricate decorative cut outs anywhere.
Airbrush
Most of our tools are coming from the body shop or the hardware store. Modders are craftsmen. A good airbrush is essential for smooth looking paint finishes. Remember too that a neutral primer should be used between layers of paint.
Sand blaster
There are several ways to etch, I prefer most of the time the smooth even look that a sand blaster can give. Acid etching is good as well. With cats and kids around, I don't particularly like storing acid, though if the design idea warranted it, I might take the extra precautions.
Other tools
Hole punches are handy items. The dremel will take care of most of your needs, but for the perfect hole in the thin sheet metal, some times the old tools are the better ones. Another tool like this (meaning old and specialized) is the nibbler. Nibblers look like fat heavy shears, which have a very small bite; hence the name. They are very good for cutting thin metal in leaving an even smooth edge.
A soldering iron will come in handy for those who want electrical modifications to be more robust, and cleaner than wire nuts or electrical tape will produce. Adding a custom lighting scheme using LEDs, switches can always be better made using solder than with tape and prayer.
Lighting
Lighting is probably the most sought after element of a modding project. Getting it right takes planning, and vision. Modders add lighting to the inside, the outside, and to functions of the case. An example might be to set arrays of colored LED's to work with different temperatures, or to flash when particular fans come on, or even to pulse with the music of the sound card. Your computer, your imagination.
The LED is the mainstay of the lighting mods. They are cheap, easy to find, use very little power, and last a long time. LEDs are rated by voltage and currents, and getting to know your LED calculator will help you figure out what combinations to use, and what resistors you will need.
You'll see LEDs all over a modders computer. On the fans, fan controllers, power supplies, inside the power supplies, and in little places that just look like they could use some light.
Cold Cathode Florescent Lamp (CCFL) lighting is similar to typical florescent lighting but gives a neon type glow to the light as well. They use electricity to excite a gas, producing the visible light. The “cold” part of their name refers to the minimal heat generated while producing particularly bright light. CCFLs can output multitudes of colored light, including UV light, and generally come in tubes or coiled.
Electro Luminescent lighting, can be found in a variety of products, and it is distinguished by its even glow, long life, and low power consumption. Products such as keyboards and case badges take advantage of the cool lighting effects provided by this thin material.
While this has been a general introduction into modding, in the near future we will revisit this subject and address some of the finer areas of creating the designs we envision. Topics such as painting cases, etching acrylic, working with plastics, and perhaps even a few others.
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