ThrermalTake Tsunami Dream Case Mod, Need ideas for new mod Options

[NathanJC]

Hi Guys,

Picked up a ThermalTake Tsunami Dream case from a second hand store yesterday for $10.



Unfortunately the case didn't come with the keys to lock it (would have come in handy as I have kids who tend to get into my computers and play with the power buttons and DVD drives). Anyhoo I would like to turn this case into a cheap modding project. I'd like to paint it black, inside and out and change the blue LED Lighting on the front door to green.

Any ideas to turn this case into a kickass casemod?

Cheers!

This post has been edited by NathanJC: Jan 11 2012, 03:25 PM

[G-relk]

That should be heaps easy to go. Strip the whole thing down, then paint it with some etch primer. Once that has set, hit it again with some black spray-pint of your choice and your done.

Lighting may be a little bit trickier in that you will need to take the stock LED's out of their housing and solder in new ones, but it shouldn't be that hard really.


Regarding other stuff you could do to it, maybe add a few extra holes for fans? I'd suggest a window, but it looks to have one already from that picture....

[NukeJockey]

You may need to get the correct replacement LEDs too, I remember swapping over the LEDs in one of my old fan controllers, had to solder in 12 new red LEDs, but the fan controller barely put out enough juice to light the red LEDs which were slightly bigger.

[TheFrunj]

You may need to get the correct replacement LEDs too, I remember swapping over the LEDs in one of my old fan controllers, had to solder in 12 new red LEDs, but the fan controller barely put out enough juice to light the red LEDs which were slightly bigger.

For changing LEDs I always recommend checking the voltages with a multimeter before doing anything - a cheap digital multimeter won't be super precise, but it's accurate enough to give you an idea of the voltage to replace the LED with. If the stock LEDs were 2.4V and you replaced with ones that wanted 2.7V, they'd still light up, but be dimmer (as you've found).

As for the case I reckon the feet need to go, swap them out for something nicer like aluminium hi-fi feet. I'd consider replacing the acrylic window if it's dodgy, not sure what condition the case is in. I'd also look to widening any 80mm fan mounts to 120mm, or adding in any 120mm mounts where possible. Can't remember if that case has a front intake down the bottom but it's essential for good cooling, so I'd work on that first. Take the fascia off, measure up with a fan as a template, and cut with whatever tools you have - carefully and at your own risk - and preferably without the techy guts in the case :)

[G-relk]

FWIW: I have found that most LED's used in cases are of the 5v or 3.3v variety. Motherboard LED headers usually put out 5v though, so they are the safest bet. standard 4 pin molex connectors also put out 5v.

If you want some LED's, let me know, I bought a pack of 100 3mm and 5mm wide green ones cheap from overseas, and I can offload some to you if your willing to cover postage :)

[p0is0n]

try and somehow back light the wave shape on the fascia?
remove all TT branding (might take u a while! :P)

[NathanJC]

Actually, I'm thinking of putting a 30cm green CCL underneath the fascia in place of the two LEDs. With a double CCL kit, I'll have another to stick inside the case!

[NathanJC]

I'd consider replacing the acrylic window if it's dodgy, not sure what condition the case is in. I'd also look to widening any 80mm fan mounts to 120mm, or adding in any 120mm mounts where possible. Can't remember if that case has a front intake down the bottom but it's essential for good cooling, so I'd work on that first. Take the fascia off, measure up with a fan as a template, and cut with whatever tools you have - carefully and at your own risk - and preferably without the techy guts in the case :)

I'm definately replacing the window, has gone yellow with age and has a couple of ugly scratches that I'll never get rid of. I'm not really good with tools (unless I'm working with wood), but I believe the front has enough ventilation for a 120mm fan (adding a green 120mm fan behind there to add a 'glowy' effect through the holes). As with taking off the ThermalTake logos... they're only painted on, so they'll be a sinch to remove :)

This post has been edited by NathanJC: Jan 12 2012, 11:38 PM

[GL0Be]

For inspiration: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=829175

Doesn't look too shabby either.

[NathanJC]

For inspiration: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=829175

Doesn't look too shabby either.

Nice case! looks good on the inside, but I'm looking for something asthetically pleasing on the outside aswell.

[NathanJC]

Does anybody have any good tutorials for swapping the PSU from the top to the bottom of the case? It's a must for my case mod, and I want to do it cleanly without hacking my case to pieces!

[Harmonic Cacopho...]

I remember when every man and his dog had the Soprano and Tsunami cases. Easily 50% of people at LANs had them. Still see a fair few around now.

My Soprano lasted me a good number of years. Had about 8 hard drives in that thing.

[SoaS]

You can get a new lock from any lock & key or even a Melco. You just take the screw out holding the latch then remove the nut holding the barrel.

I'd imagine it would look really smick totally WHITE inside and out. Give it a shaven look, remove the badges and all the screws holding the window.

Does anybody have any good tutorials for swapping the PSU from the top to the bottom of the case? It's a must for my case mod, and I want to do it cleanly without hacking my case to pieces!

Easiest way. Remove fascia, flip the case upside down. Replace fascia.

[NathanJC]

Easiest way. Remove fascia, flip the case upside down. Replace fascia.

Yes, but then wouldn't I have to Install my Mobo backwards and upside down (i.e On the right side of the case)?

[bushi]

Easiest way. Remove fascia, flip the case upside down. Replace fascia.

Yes, but then wouldn't I have to Install my Mobo backwards and upside down (i.e On the right side of the case)?

What's the problem?

[NathanJC]

Easiest way. Remove fascia, flip the case upside down. Replace fascia.

Yes, but then wouldn't I have to Install my Mobo backwards and upside down (i.e On the right side of the case)?

What's the problem?

I think See-Threepio said it famously in The Empire Strikes Back: "I'm Backwards!"

I do not want my PC looking like it's just been blasted apart by a Stormtrooper and then mashed back together by a Wookiee! :P

[SoaS]

Easiest way. Remove fascia, flip the case upside down. Replace fascia.

Yes, but then wouldn't I have to Install my Mobo backwards and upside down (i.e On the right side of the case)?

What's the problem?

I think See-Threepio said it famously in The Empire Strikes Back: "I'm Backwards!"

I do not want my PC looking like it's just been blasted apart by a Stormtrooper and then mashed back together by a Wookiee! :P

Its not that uncommon, BTX (that's right isn't it) uses this design.

Thermally its better too, for the gpu anyway. Heat rises so instead of the heat rising into the pcb it should disabate into the heatsink above.

One case that I've always wanted is the Silverstone TJ06, just looks so awesome.

[NathanJC]

Easiest way. Remove fascia, flip the case upside down. Replace fascia.

Yes, but then wouldn't I have to Install my Mobo backwards and upside down (i.e On the right side of the case)?

What's the problem?

I think See-Threepio said it famously in The Empire Strikes Back: "I'm Backwards!"

I do not want my PC looking like it's just been blasted apart by a Stormtrooper and then mashed back together by a Wookiee! :P

Its not that uncommon, BTX (that's right isn't it) uses this design.

Thermally its better too, for the gpu anyway. Heat rises so instead of the heat rising into the pcb it should disabate into the heatsink above.

One case that I've always wanted is the Silverstone TJ06, just looks so awesome.

Hrmm.... now you really got my attention! I never really thought about the heat rising until now.

[Harmonic Cacopho...]

That's a pretty crap BTX design though, newer designs have the GPU right at the top, with exhaust fans removing heat. PSU is at the bottom still like all modern designs. Example the very budget Bitfenix Outlaw


Then you've got the even more makes-sense design of the Silverstone Fortress case I have.

[bushi]

The FT02 shall also be mine in the next few months.