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Project:
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Inwin IW-S508-I Case Mod Project - Tweakbox LAN Box |
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Author:
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Hi-TEK
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Date:
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December 5th, 2001
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Introduction:
To help celebrate the re-launch of Tweakbox.com, I was approached with the opportunity to design a new promotional flagship LAN case.
This case would have to standout from the crowd, have plenty of unique features and embody all that case modding means to Tweakbox.
I worked on a plan for three days and eventually came up with a concept that I thought would work very well for this project. In this
article you will witness the transformation of a mild mannered Inwin IW-S508-I ATX Mid Tower Case into a super powered Tweakbox LAN
case. As with all my previous articles I always set out a list of objectives and here they are in no particular order:
As with all my previous articles I always set out a list of objectives and here they are in no
particular order:
- Controlled cooling using the PCMods Rheostats baybus connected to 1 x 120mm Everclear Fan (front-intake), 3 x 80mm Panaflo high
speed fans (side-intake, rear exhaust and top panel exhaust).
- Dual custom built plexi window on the side and top panels using with black trim and locking strap.
- Aesthetics: 2 x 10" Red Neon kits
- Custom logo design using metal and clear contact lettering
- Home made hard drive cooler
- Aluminum mesh front bezel
- Black and red combination based theme.
NOTE: Proper precautions should be taken when attempting your own case mod project and as with
all warnings, you are responsible for your own actions. MODTHEBOX.COM cannot be held responsible for
any damage caused to your case or computer equipment by not following the necessary safety procedures.
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Inwin IW-S508-I - Key Specifications/Special Features:
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| Inwin IW-S508-I ATX Mid Tower Case: Manufactured by Inwin Development Inc |
| Case Dimensions: 420 mm * 198 mm * 465 mm (H*W*D) - 16 1/2" * 7 3/4" * 18 5/16" |
| Drive Bays: 3 * 5.25", 2 * 3.5", (internal: 2 * 3.5") |
| Fan Accomodation: 1 x 80MM fan receptacle located in front |
| Form Factors: ATX, Micro ATX, Baby AT Board |
| I/O Slots: 7 Slots |
| Sheet Metal: SECC Japanese Steel |
| Security: Padlock Option |
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System Specifications:
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| Gigabyte GA-7ZX Motherboard |
| AMD T-bird 850 CPU |
| 256MB Crucial SDRAM |
| Leadtek Geforce2 GTS |
| D-link DFE-TX 10/100 NIC |
| SB Live 5.1 soundcard |
| 12X Creative DVD |
| 100MB Iomega Zip |
| IBM 18GB Hard Drive |
| Windows 2000 Professional |
| Brother HL1240 Laser Printer |
| Optiquest V95 19" monitor |
| Creative Soundworks FPS2000 speakers |
| Microsoft Natural keyboard |
| Logitech Optical mouse |
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Tools and Material Used:
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| Makita 10mm (3/8") drill model#6410 |
| Mastercraft saw mandrel (1 1/4" to 6") |
| 25 piece H.S.S drillbit set |
| Dremel Multipro 5 w/50 accessories |
| Solder gun w/lead free hi-tech electronic rosin core solder |
| Lenox Bi-metal Hole saws 3-1/8" 80mm |
| Milwaukee Super Tough Bi-metal 4/6" 120mm |
| Marr UV Black cable ties |
| Clear wire split loom |
| Black wire split loom |
| Safety googles |
| MG Computing Products super compressed dust buster |
| PCMods Rheostats BaybusKit |
| Anodized Fan Filters |
| 2 x 10" Red Neon Light kits |
| 1 x Everclear 120mm high speed fan |
| 4 x Panaflo 80mm high speed fans |
| Black heat shrink tubing |
| Mastercraft Automotive Paint: Bright Red, Universal Black, Automotive Clear Coat |
| Mastercraft Grey Primer |
| Sandpaper (600 grit, 2000 grit) |
| Black heat shrink tubing |
| Black and red 22AWG wiring |
| 2 x High intensity Red leds 3.6v @ 1200 MCD |
| 1 x black momentary switch |
| 1 x Aluminum splash guard |
| 2 x Lucite-Tuf acrylic sheets |
| Clear contact paper |
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The first day started off by picking up the Inwin IW-S508-I ATX Mid Tower case from Tweakbox. I quickly took the package down to my basement
and proceeded to start my evaluation on the case design. My initial reactions were that the frame design was pretty sturdy with enough room
to mount a 120mm, 92mm or 80mm fan on the front bezel and a stock 80mm fan on the rear. There was enough room inside the case for 7 drive
bays (3 x 5.25" and 4 x 3.5"). The left and right side panels included hand grip indentations for easy access to the inards of the case and a neat
screwless front panel. Other notables included an easy to remove hard drive cage, rails for installing your drives as well as a stock 300w
power supply. One problem that I did notice right away was that the drive bay inserts for the front bezel were curved which might cause a
problem for anyone who plans on putting stock Baybus or Rheobus into a case like this. I knew I would have a quick work around when the time
permitted for it.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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I took out my Dremel Multipro 5 and started work on the fan inserts. For the rear stock 80mm fan I used a reinforced cut off disk and removed
old fan guard from the back of the case to improve exhaust airflow. For the front bezel I used my Makita drill with a Milwaukee Super Tough
Bi-metal 4/6" 120mm hole saw to cut an opening to mount a 120mm Everclear fan. To finish everything up I used a fan grill to accurately measure
out my fan mounting points where I would be securing the fans to the case as well as de-burred the sharp edges of the fan cuts with a grinding
stone.
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Error processing SSI file
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Error processing SSI file
Error processing SSI file
