Introduction to modding

flyingdremelman

What is modding? Modding is an extension of the deepest and most childish/underdeveloped
thoughts exercised through modifying the look of a computer case. All of your primitive
and childish thoughts and desires can become a reality. Such as "ooooooooo that's shiny,
but it would be coooooooooler if it was blloooooooooo" then making the connections with
the know-how to the dream. Modding is simply put, a way of expressing yourself anyway you
want.

Now, many people with their "over thought, cooked and drained of the entire flavor
"Adultized"" brains nowadays are simply too tight to possibly even consider taking their
jigsaw to your "dandy-looking" baked on paint job on their freaken' predators from alienware.
People, I don't think anyone could put it better than George carlin. "What's so great about
Sliced bread? You get a loaf of bread and you SLICE the *^#$in' thing! And move on with your
lives!" That's what modding is about, you can never, ever be too afraid to try something new.
(Especially when it's this cool) Now enough dreamer talk lets make some mods (not war).
But again before I do, I just want to show you to what extent modz can go to. Bow down.
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/s...381862,00.html

There are bazillions of mods, some solidified, some still in the limbo stage of
Twisted people's heads, who sit there and concoct new ones every day. (Hmmm. wonder who that
Could be....... could it beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee saaaaaaaataannn??? Nah, just me.) Some of
The most popular mods of all time are the lighting mods. They are a quick and easy way
that sort of "rice" out your case. Now, allow me to map out all of the stuff that lights
up the case. There are cold cathodes (no they don't cool down your case... LOL.), Leds,
Black lights (or UV, come in cathodes and LEDS), and finally the newest edition the bubble
cathode. (A cold cathode with bubbles trapped in the tube. They look sweeeeeet.),
and finally EL wire. Now, I'll map out the best uses for all of these.
Cold Cathodes: Mainly made for lighting up an entire case, these suckers provide a nice
smooth and soothing glow that radiates around the case very pleasantly. They kind of
remind me of a sugar cube melting in your mouth, it kind of gives you that warm feeling,
yet making you feel reaaaaaally "ghetto/rice style" and all like a coool cat.
Leds: These babies are AWESOME for lighting up little details, they are SUPER INTENSE.
But that can vary depending on how you set it up. They can also light your case, but I don't
really recommend this because they have uneven light patterns. Right at the Led it's the
brightest, then as you move further down the light dissipates. So only use them when you
are lighting up a small spot. Cold Cathodes are a much better choice for lighting your case
but the price difference is what sways many buyers. (Cold Cathodes: APX--12 dollars for a
kit. Leds: www.exabytesystems.com 50 cents for any led including UV.)
UV (Cold Cathode/ Leds): UV lighting is not really meant for lighting as it is for use on
florescent stuff. (AKA UV reactive stuff) Like, for serious modders, they paint their
motherboards with florescent paint and do some stuff with Florescent pens. The UV reactive
stuff instantly begins to glow a bright mutagen glow that you can see with all the lights
off! YAY!
EL Wire: Stands for electroluminecent wire. Yeah, yeah, yeah the wire glows colors. WHOO
HOO! It's not worth 20 bucks for a 5 foot kit! #1 El wire simply glows, it doesnt really light
much. But it can be shaped into designs and used for making like little swirly thingy's and
outlines of your case. But i just don't think that EL wire is worth it at all.
Now that we are done with lighting we can move on to cases.

A community divided, split into two separate worlds. All because manufacturers allow
newbies to have a decent looking case that is professionally done. There are people against
and for pre-mods. I am definitely for modding. But I have to say, that some of the premodded
cases are looking INCREDIBLE. Like this wooden case.

Another Wood Case

They look so good I figure why not post another wood case.

And this Skyhawk case with a MOTORIZED DOOR!!! UBER L33T!

All of these cases are classified as "premods". Now, real modders do stuff like this.


Anyhooo, amongst it all we manage to break cases down for you. There are Mini towers, mid
towers, and full towers. Then there are some that fall in between. Here I'll help you select
the right case to fit your needs.

Mini towers: NOT FOR THE O/Cer! I cannot stress this enough. With its cramped environment
not much heat can be dissipated. No matter how many fans you have in that box, with that cramped
of a box you will never be able to overclock that mother. And please don't try to watercool the
system. Since it's so small it often inspires the tubing to kink and mess everything up. But,
if you go to a lot of LANS (local area networks) and move the case around a lot. This may be
your best choice. (or if you just want something with a little less fat) Not only to mention the
cooling disadvantages, also there's NO ROOM TO MOD! And thats just not right.
Cooling: 2/10
Modding: 3/10
Transport: 10/10
Home PC: 7/10
Value: (depends where you get it) Generally: 9/10 (good and cheap most of the time)

Mid Towers: These are the middle of the road, mainstream, jack-of-all-traits funny tickler. (wtf?)
These purdy babies come in MANY different designs. They are the most commonly used boxes to store
all your green boards in. No real cons to mention here. Except the portability, which can be
pretty bad depending on what case your using. Sometimes they may be incompatible with certain types
of motherboards. You should check the specs before you go out and buy.

Cooling: 8/10
Modding: 7/10
Transport: 7/10
Home PC: 8/10
Value: (can run pretty damn high) Generally: 7/10 (Some great cases run @ 50 bucks)

Full Towers: These monoliths are my personal favorite. The cube that I'm currently working on is
3 full towers soldered together. (That's how much I love them) Full towers are incredible for
modding. And are the best damned cases in the world for cooling. When you see any competition for
the coolest rig, about 90% of the entrees will be a server tower. I guarantee it. My computer
has 20 92mm fans, and a complete custom built watercooling system. (Yes, I'm building the
waterblocks too.) Now, since this is a good opportunity I'll list out my cooling system for you
overclockers. (what I'm in the process of building and collecting.)
Koolance Exos (maybe at the end of the summer after caddying.)
8 waterblocks. (1 for athlon, 2 for video card, 1 for HD, 2 for memory, 2 for motherboard.)
20 92 mm fans. (Yes 20)
Watter Wetter
A fridge that my radiators are in. (Yes, I drilled holes in my fridge to put in the tubing.)
4 copper radiators. :-)! w00t!
Right now distilled water with some metal filings in it. (HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED)(I'm just trying
to keep my temperature down.)
2 Via Aqua Pumps.
The 2 pumps in the exos.
Cooling 10/10
Modding: 10/10
Transport:5/10
Home PC: 10/10
Value: 6/10 (but on pc broker a great case is only 20 bucks and 25 with a 300 watt psu.)

Join Me Again for another NooBtacular guide! In Hardware Selexions!