**UPDATED PICS** Modded my Atec 1200 window today

[roid450]

The first side panel that came with my Antec was all scratched up and I got a new replacement for free. So last week after seeing Tjharlow (youtube channel) do a window mod on his 1200, I decided to do it on my spare side panel that was deemed "trash" by me since the window had all kinds of swirls and I;m very anal about that sort of stuff.

I basically traced just outside of the existing edges and went at it with a Skilsaw and a fine blade. I'm gonna go get the piece of glass cut tomorrow at 14X19 inches for about 10$.

The reason I went with glass was because I can clean it very easily with anything and glass will not scratch like Lexan or Acrylic, which is a pain in the ass to keep perfect, and I can use windex on glass and any kind of cloth..

I was originally gonna go with a 1" radius cut on the corners but decided to go with a straight rectangle and straight cuts; it's easier and goes with the case scheme since the 1200 has no rounded shapes on the case (except the fan holes of course) but the patterns on the case are all straight corners.

SO here are pics of the final product with 3M trim used on the edges of car doors. I had to run a razor on the back side to get rid of the extra lip the trim left.

The water pump/block will be here next week and I already have everything else to do water cooling.

http://i70.photobucket.com/alb...EC%201200/P1180121.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/alb...EC%201200/P1180122.jpg

The imperfections in the case are literally invisible unless I had a massive amount of lights in my room, and the edges all turned out pretty good.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

JN

Final Product and comparison with other panel with extreme duty double side tape :thumbsup:

http://i70.photobucket.com/alb...EC%201200/P1180124.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/alb...EC%201200/P1180125.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/alb...EC%201200/P1180126.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/alb...EC%201200/P1180127.jpg

I decided to go with 1/4 inch glass since I got the piece for so cheap and 1/8 seemed too flimsy. Now that I've been to the glass shop I'm planning to do the same mod to my other panel but with a doudle view mirror I think it was called. It shows the objects behind it when the light is turned on but its about 1 million reflections. Should look SICKKKK

 

[zagood]

that looks so much better.

 

[jamesbond007]

Looks damn good! Now you just need to hide your blue light so you can't see the source.

 

[roid450]

Thanks, and that light is not visible from my seat, unless I lean forward and duck a lil bit to look up into the case :thumbsup: it's the best I could hide it.

Here's a before...
http://i70.photobucket.com/alb...EC%201200/antec032.jpg

There's 2 lights, one's hidden on the inside rail that holds the 5.25" drive bays u can never see that one :laugh: :laugh:

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: roid450
Thanks, and that light is not visible from my seat, unless I lean forward and duck a lil bit to look up into the case :thumbsup: it's the best I could hide it.

Here's a before...
http://i70.photobucket.com/alb...EC%201200/antec032.jpg

There's 2 lights, one's hidden on the inside rail that holds the 5.25" drive bays u can never see that one :laugh: :laugh:

your custom window looks 1000 times better. Well done.

 

[roid450]

Thanks, I got the glass mounted today. got it for $9.50 already cut to size :thumbsup: crystal clear even tho it's probably twice as heavy as Acrylic, it'll never scratch

 

[thilanliyan]

Very nice.

 

[roid450]

I got some extreme heavy duty Scotch Double sided tape and stuck the glass on there sinde silicone and caulking were too messy and looked like ass when the side panel was taken off.

But I forgot to cut off the excess double stick tape form the back part of the side panel that rests on the inside part of my case so now my side panel is stuck onto my case

 

[imported_wired247]

Frosted pattern on the glass FTW. go for version 2.0

 

[roid450]

Originally posted by: wired247
Frosted pattern on the glass FTW. go for version 2.0

Huh

 

[imported_wired247]

Let me unzip that comment for you.


Remove glass, apply a mask (pattern) of your choosing using something like masking tape. Proceed to sandblast the glass. Remove the masking tape and clean the glass off.
Result: custom pattern on your new glass panel. This technique will obviously result in a frosted pattern in your glass.

This technique, if done properly, would be for the win. (FTW) (Not to be confused with your motherboard...)

Now, consider what you have already created to be version 1.0.

"Go for version 2.0" = "looks good now, but maybe there are still some improvements that could be made, resulting in a new, even better version"

"" = "Nice work buddy"


:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

 

[roid450]

Originally posted by: wired247
Let me unzip that comment for you.


Remove glass, apply a mask (pattern) of your choosing using something like masking tape. Proceed to sandblast the glass. Remove the masking tape and clean the glass off.
Result: custom pattern on your new glass panel. This technique will obviously result in a frosted pattern in your glass.

This technique, if done properly, would be for the win. (FTW) (Not to be confused with your motherboard...)

Now, consider what you have already created to be version 1.0.

"Go for version 2.0" = "looks good now, but maybe there are still some improvements that could be made, resulting in a new, even better version"

"" = "Nice work buddy"


:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

LOL i realised what you meant about 2 minutes of thinking about it, and I know what FTW is. Do you know what FTFW and FTMFW mean? My buddy D3ktrix and I came up with this and use it heavily.

FTFW= For The F%$ing Win
FTMFW= For The MuthaF%$ing Win :thumbsup:

I would like to keep this window as clear as possible but that's a very nice idea you have there, I do have access to a sand blaster and a bead blaster, one of which is a small one that will fit in agarage and another is at a Powdercoat shop. I may consider that, I was thinking a small EVGA or nVidia logo somewhere on the glass would look cool

:beer:

 

[imported_wired247]

I'm well versed in internet acronyms... watch out if anyone ever tells you to FOADIAF...not very nice

I am jealous you have such nice resources, in any case it's your project so I'll say no more.

 

[roid450]

Originally posted by: wired247
I'm well versed in internet acronyms... watch out if anyone ever tells you to FOADIAF...not very nice

I am jealous you have such nice resources, in any case it's your project so I'll say no more.

Thanks, and just quick guess as soon as i read the FOADIAF, i think it means Fak Off And Die In A Fire? :thumbsup: lawl

 

[Krynj]

How did you get the mesh off on the stock panel?

 

[CurseTheSky]

If they came from the factory like this, I would have bought one.

I always hated the weird window design on the 900 and 1200. I also can't stand cases with fans on the side panel... not sure why, just a pet peeve.

 

[roid450]

Originally posted by: FetusCakeMix
How did you get the mesh off on the stock panel?

unscrew the small acrylic piece that has the fan filter on it, screw the acrylic back on :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[speedfreak]

wow! nice mod you did there, what a nice looking case it turned out to be.

 

[Krynj]

Originally posted by: roid450

Originally posted by: FetusCakeMix
How did you get the mesh off on the stock panel?

unscrew the small acrylic piece that has the fan filter on it, screw the acrylic back on :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

That's what I thought. There's a couple things I'd like to try with my 1200, but I'd want to order another side panel first, and I can't seem to find any replacement side panels anywhere.

 

[roid450]

Originally posted by: speedfreak
wow! nice mod you did there, what a nice looking case it turned out to be.

Thanks :beer:

Originally posted by: FetusCakeMix

Originally posted by: roid450

Originally posted by: FetusCakeMix
How did you get the mesh off on the stock panel?

unscrew the small acrylic piece that has the fan filter on it, screw the acrylic back on :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

That's what I thought. There's a couple things I'd like to try with my 1200, but I'd want to order another side panel first, and I can't seem to find any replacement side panels anywhere.

Call Antec, I got mine free because my original panel showed up with a lot of swirls etc...and wasn't pretty when I switched on my cathodes the first time. :disgust:

EDIT: http://www.antec.com/Search.bo...closures%3ASide+Panels

I believe the 1200 side panel was about the same price as the 900 one. But give them a call. They are good people to deal with

If I don't sell the second panel I have, I'm probably gonna put a 2 way mirror on it, the place I got the glass from said 2 ways are about 14$ a square foot, so my 14X20 piece might be in the 20$ range, I'll think about it.