Build your own PC - Part 3: Ultimate mod

A well-modded case is the icing on the cake of a DIY project, costs less than you think and is your chance to create something truly unique. Gordon Laing tells you how to go about it.

Written by Gordon Laing, Personal Computer World

28 Oct 2003

DIY PC builders commonly put hours of effort into selecting the right components for their system, but then assemble the whole thing into a regular beige case. Admittedly some go for good-looking aluminium cases, but we're still talking about a large angular box.

It seems a shame that, after carefully designing their perfect system, many enthusiasts end up with something which, from the outside, resembles every other PC on the planet.

It doesn't have to be this way, though. In recent years a new breed of enthusiasts have begun modifying the exterior appearance of their PCs. Some simply get the spray paint out, while others install windows in the side of their case and use interior lighting for illumination. New tiny form factors have also allowed 'modders' to build innovatively styled PCs, the likes of which have never been seen before.

Windows and lights
The most popular mods these days involve fitting windows to the side of a case, and using interior lighting to reveal what's inside. It sounds crazy at first, but can look really good. After all, there's loads of interesting-looking heatsinks, fans and components inside a modern PC and it's a shame to hide them away.

The easiest modifications are made on cases with removeable side panels. If you're handy with tools, you could set about cutting your own window and fitting a sheet of Perspex to peer through.

Alternatively, several case manufacturers sell replacement side panels with windows already fitted; Overclockers UK sells a selection for Coolermaster cases with large square windows for £29 each. You can even buy a side panel with an aquarium filled with fake plastic fish.

For the most outlandish window shapes, send your case side panel to a company with a specialist window cutting service. The appropriately named Cool Case Mods can fit your side panel with a choice of curved windows or even your own custom design for around £50. Cool Case Mods and Kustom PCsalso sell pre-modded cases for those starting from scratch.

If a single window isn't enough, entirely transparent cases built from acrylic are also available from around £85.

Having a transparent case or window cutout is one thing, but you'll need internal illumination to see much inside. Modding lighting goes way beyond coloured LEDs though. Cold cathode tubes from £15 each provide an eerie neon-like illumination, while electroluminious flat cables can be stuck onto numerous surfaces.

Why stop there though? Various cooling fans with built-in flashing LEDs are also available, as are transparent, illuminated power supplies.

From £50 to £150 you could seriously modify the appearance of your PC and have a lot of fun while you're at it. Before long you may even select motherboards, graphics cards, heatsinks and cabling where some effort has also gone into their appearance. After all, you'll want your PC to look its best when peering inside.

Modding projects
Modifying conventional PC cases can be great fun, but the really serious enthusiasts build their own or cannibalise boxes designed for something completely different.

Clearly, when doing either, it helps to have compact PC components for the most flexibility. As such it should come as no surprise to discover that Via's tiny 17 x 17cm Epia motherboards have been a huge hit with the modding community.

Their dimensions and modest cooling requirements allow all manner of housings, while their relatively low cost means owners are more likely to take risks. Numerous websites cater for the case modding community, but if you're looking for inspiration, start at the Mini-ITX website. Here you'll find details on a huge number of custom projects involving Epia motherboards.

Some people like to fit them in the cases of classic computers or games consoles of the 1970s and 1980s, while others have popped them into cigar boxes, guitars or even a Millennium Falcon model from Star Wars. Each project involves more than just hollowing out an existing box and dropping in an Epia motherboard though.

Most modders carefully think out and explain how to mount other components, including disks, power supplies, adequate cooling and user controls. It's all great advice for anyone embarking on their own project.

Beyond the beige
Whether you're cannibalising an old toy, slicing a window in the side of your illuminated case, or just fitting an optional glowing front panel to a Shuttle XPC, modding is the way to give your PC a unique edge. For as little as £50 you can make your mark and enjoy a system unlike any other.

You may not wish to compete with the Blackpool illuminations, but we bet there are few people out there who can truly say they love their beige case. So go ahead and mod away - both you and your PC deserve it.

Legacy-free PCs
A legacy-free PC is one that eliminates old-fashioned ports, drives and buses entirely in favour of technically superior modern alternatives. So wave goodbye to serial, PS/2 and parallel ports, and say hello to USB and Firewire.

Dump the floppy for a CD or DVD writer, and consign the ISA bus to the scrapheap. The theory is to simplify and accelerate connectivity, not to mention improving system performance and reliability. It sounds great in theory, but most PCs today remain a combination of new and old technology. Sure, the ISA bus may have long retired and the floppy drive is increasingly rare, but a glance round the back of almost any PC still reveals a plethora of ports.

Legacy-free systems are possible though. Virtually every peripheral now has a USB connection, effectively rendering serial, parallel and PS/2 ports redundant for 99 per cent of new PC users. The problem is that we find it hard to let go of the older ports, especially after being brought up on the mantra of backwards compatibility.

Cynics also argue there's nothing to be gained by replacing their existing PS/2 keyboards and mice with USB versions, as they're hardly high-performance peripherals. Indeed, some older motherboards have trouble recognising USB keyboards when navigating the Bios set-up screens.

While owners of older PCs should stick with their PS/2 keyboards and mice, builders or buyers of new systems should embrace the opportunity to go legacy-free. By avoiding devices that use old-style ports they can be subsequently disabled in the Bios, freeing up precious system resources and increasing reliability.

Legacy-free is the future for PCs, but ironically they're something Apple owners have long taken for granted: five years ago, the new Imac abandoned all old-style connectivity to become the first truly legacy-free PC.

DIY isn't for everyone
Building your own PC may allow you to devise an uncompromised specification and have fun putting it all together, but the process isn't for everyone.

Most obviously if you're a beginner or are after the least hassle and easiest life, you should buy a PC that's ready built. Buying from a system integrator will also provide you with some kind of after-sales support on the entire PC, which you won't get if you put it together yourself.

Interestingly, most people assume building their own PC will work out cheaper than buying one complete from a company, but this is rarely the case. When you go shopping for PC components, you buy them one at a time. When large companies go shopping, they place orders for hundreds or even thousands of components at a time.

These bulk purchases coupled with wholesale prices can represent huge savings, at least some of which are passed onto the end-user. Just check out systems costing £499 ex VAT: it's impossible for an end user to build an identical system for the same price, and don't forget the commercial one will also havesome kind of guarantee too.

About the only time a DIY PC can work out cheaper is if you can recycle several pricey components, such as using an existing monitor.

Building your own PC can be a rewarding experience, but one we'd only recommend to enthusiasts or those who want to learn about the inner working of computers. If you're after a bargain, buy a ready-built system.

Probably the single biggest disadvantage of building your own PC is the lack of after-sales service. There's no warranty on your system as a whole and you're also the technical support person, so should anything go wrong, it's pretty much your responsibility.

But while your DIY system as a whole may not have any warranty, many of its individual components should be supported by their respective manufacturers. Your disk, processor, memory, cards, display and power supply should all have guarantees, but it's important to check the small print for their conditions of use.

Warranties can easily be invalidated under common circumstances, and owners of pre-built systems should also find out where they stand before opening their case for an internal upgrade.

Additionally, 'OEM' components, designed for system integrators but readily available to end users, may not come with a full warranty as you know it. These components may be sold to be supported by the system integrator, which in the case of a DIY PC, is you.

The bottom line is that, while many components in a DIY PC will have their own warranties, you shouldn't really be building your own system unless you're prepared to support it entirely singlehandedly, or have access to an expert who can help.

Fortunately such experts don't have to be nearby friends and family. You can find answers to obscure PC problems by visiting various online forums, such as our own, searching knowledgebases or even just entering the gist of it into Google.

PCW's monthly Hands on Hardware column is written for enthusiasts and regularly features DIY tips. So even though you may not have an official technical support line, you'll normally always be able to find someone who can help.

Also in this series:
Build your own PC - Part 1: Ultimate quiet
Build your own PC - Part 2: Home entertainment

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