Maximum PC - Dream Machine 03' Replica Project - Mantis 04'

Mantis_22

Hey guys, Ever since my last project I have started to get a little bored and so the beginning of my new project has started. I had many ideas of where and how to start on this mission and what kind of case would I use.

Well I was on AIM a few nights ago and got into a little talk with JJ (Josh Norem from Maximum PC) and we started to talk about the idea of me building a new rig. Since we lost thought of that idea for awhile we started talking about Cooler Master products for the year 2005 and the Dream Machines of the years 03' and 04'. That's when I started to think about using the Wavemaster case by Cooler Master for this project. It has a lot of quality and modding room for my every needs to work with.

So with the case set in mind I began on thinking for a theme. Took awhile but bingo, I talked with JJ the next day about it. My impression is to do a replica of the Dream Machine 03' from the Max PC crew. But with my own little touches and bits added into the mix. I understand a lot of you are gonna be like "This isn't the exact thing I see in the mag?". Its not meant to be, this idea is just using my own personality to create what I wanted. Plus what I like best product-wise. So if you see some items I have that they didn't have for the DM 03' or vice versa. Don't think I'm trying to kill the idea all together. Next I was onto using the credit card ^^.

Everything has been shipped except from the PSU Unit from Frozen CPU.com which is being sleeved and will be 1 day later than everything else. Everything I bought is being shipped by UPS and has a estimated arrival date of July 21st which is Wednesday of this week.

Once the PC is done, I have a friend who does a damn good job at taking pictures (I will post his website later) which will be taking the entire cases profile shots. Then I will send psp file and TIFF file format images to JJs email which he will show to the Max PC team for approval since I am using the company logo on this case window. I will be posting the build of the case on a website and on here exclusively but limited to JPEG's/GIF's. So if your a 56k'er sorry :(. I will post Wed. and take pictures of everything. Wednesday night I will have a local etch company owned by a friend laser etch onto the window of the case and start the first process of the etching of the Maximum PC logo and such on the glass once fitted. It should be done overnight im told. Which that all should be done within a few hours. I will post in a few minutes the logo which will be etched into the glass.

Sorry for such a long write-up but it wont get any better as I post pictures of the project. My image to be done with everything is about 1 week. Maybe earlier depending on how fast I can work without having to worry about customer PC's.


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Logo to be etched

Here is the logo I have did in photoshop which will be etched into the diamond coated glass by my buddy's glass shop. I have posted it as a GIF with Alpha for the good reason of it being mine to show only.

(Sorry for the DBL post by the way but its just for update post)




I am thinking of having also within the next few days laser etch into the second piece of glass, but with the Final Fantasy IX Online logo. It is a much more complex task sine there is so much detail so I'm currently looking for a high resolution+DPI logo for the etch. With this done and having both etches on seperate glass, I could switch between the pieces if needed on the panel to change mood of the case.

Till Wednesday, see you then...

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If you would like to post your comments, ideas, or ask questions. Post at your own willing, but if you are here to flame. I kindly ask that you don't...
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Mantis_22

Here is the logo I have did in photoshop which will be etched into the diamond coated glass by my buddy's glass shop. I have posted it as a GIF with Alpha for the good reason of it being mine to show only.

(Sorry for the DBL post by the way but its just for update post)

http://visarts.ucsd.edu/~specflic/im...mumpcalpha.gif

I am thinking of having also within the next few days lazer etch into the second piece of glass, but with the Final Fantasy IX Online logo. It is a much more complex task sine there is so much detail so I'm currently looking for a high resolution+DPI logo for the etch. With this done and having both etches on seperate glass, I could switch between the pieces if needed on the panel to change mood of the case.

Till Wednesday, see you then...

Bayt

I cleaned it up for you a bit... would you like me to move this to the worklog section?

Mantis_22

yes please

ChILd-PrOdIgY

Wow that hardware is seriously kickass. I'm lovin it so far. If you pull off that dremeling like that... it will be... *splurge* errrmm yea like that.

Questions
1)Total Cost for parts?
2)Colors? [classified?] :D

Thats it for now.. very GL

Mantis_22

Now what are you talking about Dremel-wise? The window cutout yes. But I will not be doing the etching, just the logo design for the Maximum PC Dream Machine 2005? The Final Fantasy XI Online logo will be etched also from a high-res image in photoshop.

1. I can't tell you an exact number, but I can add up all the prices, not including shipping. I can give you a very close estimate though. $2033.11 is what I came up without shipping/work/tax expenses. So it could be anywhere depending if I decide to to more to the project one day in the future.

2. Colors? In what way, case? internals?. The original Dream Machine 2003 used the combination of hairline brushed aluminum silver and blue. Yet I feel I will be adding a little bit more color to this project by adding the blue led fans, dual cathodes, plus the custom power suppy unit with windows and blue led fans from Aerocool. Which will really bring out the custom laser etch.

Blazin Trav

Hmm I would have gotten an X800 XT for the rig if it is a dream machine.

ChILd-PrOdIgY

Bahh I didnt see that you were laser etching the window. I thought you were gonna dremel that design into the side panel

Yea those lights will really be cool with the etching.

Mantis_22

Hehe, I can do some good work with a dremel, but no person could ever pull off such great clarity and edging.

Also an update, everything is being shipped today and will be here Wed! Even the first case etch! Stay tuned ^^

Fastredponycar

sounds like an excellent plan. I, myself have the wave master and it is truly a beautiful design. I've tossed around the idea of getting the trim pieces and power/reset swtiches either chromed or get the REST of teh case painted Viper red and leave the trim and bezels aluminum.

I know you're aiming to duplicate the dream machine but being a coolermaster dealer though, couldn't you have gone with the Aquagate in lieu of the aero hsf? I though the dream machine used the zalman?

I copied their dream machine also (less the side window and hdd configs). still smokin and hopefully it'll be WC'd before the end of the week! Can't wait for pics of your new machine.

Mantis_22

Eh, like I said before. I'm using what I specifically like. To my own, everything I bought and will be equipping is where I would like to go with this. I just got all of the parts today from the UPS guy a second ago so I am putting everything together as I type this also.

Fastredponycar

updates? pics?

Mantis_22

Gotta wait till tonight bro, everything came in but I work 330-8. Cya then!

Mantis_22

Ok, heres the update for Thursday night...

I have had everything arrive but the following parts, all come tomorrow (Friday)..

-Cooler Master CDROM - Alloy Bezel (Frozen CPU.com sent the incorrect color. I wanted silver and told them but they send black -_-*

-Crucial.com (One stick of 512MB was not the same as the other stick so i could not run dual channel)

-Custom etched window from the glass shop in Utah. (Comes tomorrow on time done)

I will post in detail of all I have done, all I can say is that it is amazing, everything is perfect without flaw and is going great. Yet it will not leave my shop till it is completely done and ready for photoshoot which should be tuesday or wed. of next week. I should have pics up by then of the whole project. I am having one problem though, and that is access to the front of the case internally. So I will give CM a call tomorrow real quick to find a way to get in there.

I will post again in the morning in more detail, im tired though. Goodnight..

Fastredponycar

I ran into that problem last night about the inside front of the case installing the swiftech stuff. I think you actually have to disassemble the front like removing the top and bottom trim pieces, door and what not. I decided to just leave the two 80mm fans in there like they are and I just tucked teh wires in front of the panel that they're mounted to so the wires are out of site. If I have to add a 2nd radiator, I'll have no choice but to take em out. :(

Gremlin

Can't wait to see the pics

Mantis_22

Actually its just 4 screws lol.

Fastredponycar

hey mantis, how's the progress? i got your IM this mornign. I was out of town all weekend. My WC project is done but proved to yield disasterous results to my 9700 :(

Check my silent but deadly thread for the full low down.

Mantis_22

I heard, thats real sh!tty man. I am now in the process of waiting for the Xoxide crew to get this whole case problem fixed. They seem to be very nice about it.

Mantis_22

Ok here is the update, the building has be delayed due to the case being defective. Also one of the Quad LED fans has a broken LED which would not light up. I am sending back the case today and Xoxide is sending the new one. I am very happy with the customer support I have been recieving from them. A+ to them on getting this exchange done quickly.

I will post once I recieve everything Tuesday or Wed.