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Freeman's Box

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Owner: t77snapshot
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Posted: May 28th 2009
Updated: October 10th 2009 - 12:34 AM
Viewed: 14,552 times
Rating:
Superb (8.4)
Voting Graph 45 votes total
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Key Features: High Rated AMD CPU NVIDIA VGA NVIDIA SLI Custom paint job
Worklog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKOuu22MqUw
This user's other mods:
  • Cosmo Glow
  • Lizar's Ultra Rig
System Specs: » Case:Nzxt Tempest » AMD Athlon64 X2 5600+ OC'ed @ 3.35Ghz » Asus M3N-HT Deluxe 780a » Evga 9600GT in Sli @ 775/1922/1000 » Creative SB Audigy4 7.1 » OCZ 4Gb ddr2-1066mhz » WD 640Gb Black hdd » Thermaltake 600W » LG X22 CD-DVD burner
Performed Mods: Cable management, painted interior and back of case, drilled holes to mount CD drive in center, installed sound dampening on base and side panel, cut holes in motherboard tray for the 4pin power cable and other wires etc, cut grids out of front fan mounts for more air flow, modded white cathode kit to orange color, replaced the blue leds from front bezel/hdd status light to orange leds, Soldered orange leds in the rear and side fans, replaced stock front fans with 2 Thermaltakes including pci slot controllers and side/rear fans with AC.Ryans, added HL. decals.
This was my first build and took me about 6 months of saving money to finish. I have been a huge fan of Half-Life since 1998 and I always wanted to build a HL theme PC mod. This is my tribute to Gordon Freeman.
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39 Comments

#1
Downesey
5 Posts
fantastic build. 9/10. i can see alot of work went into this and its paid off
Posted on May 28th 2009, 6:31 Edit | Reply
#2
alexp999
Staff
Thats just :O

Totally agree with Downesey, looks amazing. Great Job!

Even the EVGA coolers match :D
Posted on May 28th 2009, 6:33 Edit | Reply
#3
Dia01
200 Posts
I also agree, nice mod!
Posted on May 28th 2009, 6:37 Edit | Reply
#4
DrOctopus
25 Posts
beautiful tempest bro, 9/10. The paint job and cable management is simply amazing.
Posted on May 28th 2009, 6:42 Edit | Reply
#5
pentastar111
500 Posts
9/10...Fricking sweet.
Posted on May 28th 2009, 7:35 Edit | Reply
#6
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
by: alexp999
Even the EVGA coolers match :D
haha that wasn't planned but it worked out great!

............
Thank you for all your comments and votes, it is much appreciated.
Posted on May 28th 2009, 18:00 Edit | Reply
#7
to6ko91
75 Posts
I feel like Mr. Gordon Freeman :P 10/10
Posted on May 28th 2009, 22:24 Edit | Reply
#8
freaksavior
To infinity ... and beyond!
dude, big fan of half life. 10/10
Posted on May 28th 2009, 22:46 Edit | Reply
#9
rick22
500 Posts
Gave you a 9/10 ..good job
Posted on May 28th 2009, 23:48 Edit | Reply
#10
InnocentCriminal
Resident Grammar Amender
Very nicely implemented.

10/10

:D
Posted on May 29th 2009, 8:04 Edit | Reply
#11
Studabaker
Banned
I'd like to know why you drilled holes to mount the drive in the center.

9.5/10
Posted on May 29th 2009, 8:10 Edit | Reply
#12
BumbleBee
Banned
9/10. first build and mod. my first modded case was horrible compared to this. you have a nice future ahead of you.

I have some suggestions. I think you gotta change that blue led in the Zalman. and soon as I saw this case it didn't really say Half-Life when I think of Half-Life I think about the red I bar and steel because the maps were generally very industrial looking so I thought why not paint the side panel a nice silver or aluminum and use a steel cloth or sponge and smear burgundy to give it that rust look then paint a simple red crowbar across.
Posted on May 29th 2009, 8:23 Edit | Reply
#13
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
by: BumbleBee
9/10. first build and mod. my first modded case was horrible compared to this. you have a nice future ahead of you.

I have some suggestions. I think you gotta change that blue led in the Zalman. and soon as I saw this case it didn't really say Half-Life when I think of Half-Life I think about the red I bar and steel because the maps were generally very industrial looking so I thought why not paint the side panel a nice silver or aluminum and use a steel cloth or sponge and smear burgundy to give it that rust look then paint a simple red crowbar across.
I was going to change the Zalman led to orange, but then it reminded me of parts of the game. Like the blue is the core reactor surrounded by the orange box. Idk....it makes sense in my mind :)

I had an idea of painting this case an industrial look with a big crow bar running down the side (where the HL title is) panel. But I ran out of time and money. I thought I was better off with a cleaner look anyways because it would stand out in my house like a sore thumb.
Posted on May 29th 2009, 13:50 Edit | Reply
#14
BumbleBee
Banned
obviously paint would look much nicer but you don't even have to paint it. you can take a half-life 1 or 2 texture, blow it up, and get it decaled and apply it like a film.
Posted on May 29th 2009, 13:52 Edit | Reply
#15
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
by: Studabaker
I'd like to know why you drilled holes to mount the drive in the center.

9.5/10
The Tempest advertised that you can mount up to 9 drives from top to bottom. When I went to install the cd/dvd drive in the center bay there were no back holes or slots to mount the plastic clip (that the drive sits on).

As shown in the picture the top 3 bays have the back mounting holes for the clips/screws. But that's it! why didn't Nzxt run the holes all the way down.


These are the clips: On the rear side (circled) you see where the clips mount to the case.


So I cut the hole for the rear screw mount and the (2) slots for the clips.


Now I could have bypassed this mod my just using the front-left holes and back-right holes(see pic below), but with out using the clips I would have to use washers to fill the gap. I did it because I just wanted a nice sturdy mounted optical drive bay.....and I think I'm addicted to modding!
Posted on May 29th 2009, 14:53 Edit | Reply
#16
gr8golf
5 Posts
by: freaksavior
dude, big fan of half life. 10/10
+1 - love it.
Posted on May 29th 2009, 15:29 Edit | Reply
#17
overdrive
10/10




real
Posted on May 30th 2009, 5:09 Edit | Reply
#18
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
Once again thank you for all the support for my hard work, you guys are great:)
Posted on May 31st 2009, 1:30 Edit | Reply
#19
CH@NO
500 Posts
9/10 man.

I love the way you hide the wires, very clean and love the red lights.

Congrats.
Posted on May 31st 2009, 13:58 Edit | Reply
#20
LittleLizard
2000 Posts
almost perfect. 9/10
Posted on May 31st 2009, 21:19 Edit | Reply
#21
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
by: LittleLizard
almost perfect. 9/10
Almost!.....any suggestions? hahaha j/k
Posted on Jun 2nd 2009, 4:25 Edit | Reply
#22
tzitzibp
1000 Posts
superb work, man.

love the half life theme... orange and black produce a fantastic result.
The only thing I would change is that fan on the side. remove it, and replace it with full cover plexy glass...I believe it would show more!
Posted on Jun 2nd 2009, 5:01 Edit | Reply
#23
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
by: tzitzibp
The only thing I would change is that fan on the side. remove it, and replace it with full cover plexy glass...I believe it would show more!
Yeah it would look a lot cleaner, but it's the only outside air hitting the cards. I could always drop the front intake fan to the middle bay and move the cd drive to the top bay.
Posted on Jun 3rd 2009, 2:02 Edit | Reply
#24
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
EDIT- June 10th: Just overclocked my cpu stable at 3.35ghz today :-)
Posted on Jun 3rd 2009, 2:22 Edit | Reply
#25
KieranD
Eligible for custom title
nice mod i like that case, i have it infact!

just only really want to get some filters for the back and side panel
Posted on Jun 10th 2009, 8:59 Edit | Reply
#26
valik
Very nicely 9/10
Posted on Jun 14th 2009, 2:01 Edit | Reply
#27
Bjorn_Of_Iceland
2000 Posts
I bet you have half life installed in there. lol.

Nice rig
Posted on Jun 15th 2009, 4:34 Edit | Reply
#28
to6ko91
75 Posts
by: Bjorn_Of_Iceland
I bet you have half life installed in there. lol.
More likely Orange Box :P
Posted on Jun 15th 2009, 9:03 Edit | Reply
#29
gvblake22
200 Posts
Very nice! What method did you use to change the color of the CCFL from white to orange?
Posted on Jun 15th 2009, 16:46 Edit | Reply
#30
BumbleBee
Banned
by: t77snapshot
Yeah it would look a lot cleaner, but it's the only outside air hitting the cards. I could always drop the front intake fan to the middle bay and move the cd drive to the top bay.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/T77snapshot/frontbezel.jpg
yeah I don't like solid windows either the trade off for direct cooling over looks is too high. in fact if you can get your hands on some c-clamps and a hole saw attachment you should install another 120mm up top for the CPU. or you could take a dremel or table saw and cut a extension on the side panel for a bigger window and mount a orange sheet of acrylic and use a hole saw to create two 120mm fan mounts in the position you want them and have a better view of inside your case you could also get a engraving bit for your dremel and etch "Half-Life" vertically on the right side of the window go then get some AC Ryan ultra violet orange paint and fill in the indentation left by the etching.
Posted on Jun 15th 2009, 18:10 Edit | Reply
#31
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
by: to6ko91
More likely Orange Box :P
Negative. I've owned Half Life 2 and ep1 before Orange box was released.

by: gvblake22
Very nice! What method did you use to change the color of the CCFL from white to orange?
I wrapped a transparent orange adhesive film around each cathode. You can buy this stuff on ebay like $2 a sheet.
Posted on Jun 17th 2009, 4:29 Edit | Reply
#32
§tea1th
I see this rig and I think to myself "how much time was spent in this build?"
Honestly, I think this is by far, one of the best Half-life mods I have ever seen, I really like the way those cards, the heatsink, and everything else in the case just show how much dedication you put in this build. And by the way, that's an awesome cable management you got there.

I voted 10/10
Posted on Jul 28th 2009, 19:50 Edit | Reply
#33
to6ko91
75 Posts
by: t77snapshot
I wrapped a transparent orange adhesive film around each cathode. You can buy this stuff on ebay like $2 a sheet.

very good idea to turn cheap and boring white ccfl to cool ones
Posted on Jul 29th 2009, 16:24 Edit | Reply
#34
Akumos
200 Posts
I think it looks pretty awesome! Clever mod on the cathode! That film wont melt?
Posted on Jul 30th 2009, 5:03 Edit | Reply
#35
toyo
200 Posts
It looks like a perfect build from the pics. You have yet another Nobel from me :)
Posted on Aug 1st 2009, 3:29 Edit | Reply
#36
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
by: Akumos
Clever mod on the cathode! That film wont melt?
I have been running these cathodes for about 2 months with no heating issues. So I guess it is a high temperature film:)


by: §tea1th
I see this rig and I think to myself "how much time was spent in this build?"
Honestly, I think this is by far, one of the best Half-life mods I have ever seen, I really like the way those cards, the heatsink, and everything else in the case just show how much dedication you put in this build. And by the way, that's an awesome cable management you got there.

I voted 10/10
Yes it was a lot of work and I loved every minute of it! I truly appreciate your replies, thank you.

I also want to thank everyone else here on tpu for all your comments and support, because many of you have help me over the months to build this rig :)
Posted on Aug 11th 2009, 14:41 Edit | Reply
#37
KH0UJ
200 Posts
10/10, I liked your theme bro, half life is also my favorite game, well done gordon freeman LOL
Posted on Aug 20th 2009, 7:09 Edit | Reply
#38
094145
awesome mode bro...9/10 would give u 10/10 if u would watercooled it(imagine that with UV orange coolant)..really good job on both modding and color theme..
Posted on Aug 28th 2009, 5:11 Edit | Reply
#39
t77snapshot
2000 Posts
by: 094145
awesome mode bro...9/10 would give u 10/10 if u would watercooled it(imagine that with UV orange coolant)..really good job on both modding and color theme..
Wow get out of my brain! I am saving up for WC loop and I will be using UV orange coolant as well :)
Posted on Aug 28th 2009, 19:08 Edit | Reply
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