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Accolades:
Grand Prize Winner 2006 Cooler Master Case Mod Contest
STORY:
I came up with the idea to create one HTPC desktop-style case using
two Mystique 631 aluminum tower chassis. The main idea was to
keep evident the Mystique heritage and styling throughout the case,
inside and out. The wavy theme was carried out in tandem with
logo elements to create a consistent and elegant look, while keeping
its ultimate use in mind. This being a home theater PC, it will
be located in my living room, and must function as a HDTV
tuner/personal video recorder. Care was taken when selecting
components that were best suited for such a task (i.e. Mars cpu cooler
running in silent mode).
System Specs:
Asus A8N SLI Premium Motherboard
AMD FX-55 cpu with CM Mars cooler
Centon PC-3200 RAM (1Gb)
EVGA Geforce 8800GTS Video Card
Sound Blaster Audigy Sound Card
Western Digital SATA 200Gb Hard Drive
Cooler Master iGreen 500W PSU
Pioneer Slim-line Slot Loading DVD drive (x2)
WinPVR Tv-tuner PCI card
Cats Eye HDTV tuner PCI card
Zippy Aluminum Keyboard
Logitech Cordless Mouse
iDuo 10-in-1 Card Reader/iPod Dock
I wanted to design the case in such a way as to make people immediately
think "Mystique" when they first see it.
The Mystique's signature front wavy doors were retained, and aluminum
fins were added on both sides and aligned with the doors' slots,
continuing the wavy theme around the case.
The top window has a wavy design element at the front over the DVD
drives,
and a blue plexi ring centered over the Mars cpu cooler.
Since the new sides used to be the old tops of the cases, they still
have the IO port holes, except now they are blue-lit logo badges.
The new IO panel resides inside the front doors in a decorative blue
wave. Opposite the IO panel is a 10-in-1 card reader that pulls
out to reveal an iPod docking station.
Centered in between the two blue waves is the air intake for the front
fan, complete with concaved mesh behind the power/reset button post.
Inside the case, I built an entirely new drive cage, having gutted its
original contents. I incorporated the original tool-less cages
back into the new design, adding an intake fan in between them.
The DVD drives are mounted on top, and a stylish rear cover was devised
to direct cool air through both sides before entering the main part of
the case.
The drives are perfectly aligned so that one could insert a disc
without having to open the doors.
The power supply was concealed utilizing more original front bezel
parts and brushed aluminum side paneling.
I incorporated the logo into the fan grill, complete with individually
cut lettering (cut by hand from the existing aluminum panel) and mesh
behind the whole thing. Blue plexi separates the side piece from
the top wavy piece.
Wire management was achieved by running the power cables first through
a piece of 2 ¼” chrome pipe. They then branch off to their
destinations underneath the motherboard tray, emerging only where they
plug in. The video card power cable and SATA cable take exception
to the rule, and are sleeved in blue silicon hosing with chrome end
caps.
For added lighting in the back, I incorporated a brushed aluminum led
dome into the center of the exhaust fan's grill. It is battery
operated, and serves to light the cable hookups even when the PC is
turned off.
Every effort was taken to recycle items from the original cases.
The only non-indigenous parts are the blue plexi pieces, a few support
pieces and the exterior fins (made from aluminum stock purchased from
the hardware store).
The keyboard and mouse were chosen to match the case perfectly.
It being an HTPC, it will connect to my Samsung 50" DLP
television. A WinPVR150 tv tuner card, Cats Eye HDTV tuner card,
a TERK indoor HD antenna and Windows XP Media Edition with a Logitech
Harmony remote round out the system.
Not shown are the original stylish case feet that were relocated to
what used to be the right side panel (now the bottom of the case).
If you would like to view my actual worklog with in-progress pics,
please check out this link:
Mystique Worklog