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IMG_25092_0
One of the downsides of the M4A78-EM motherboard is that it has only two chassis headers. But it's a solid budget motherboard otherwise, can't get everything for just 70€.
Notice also the clearance between motherboard and ODD tray - not too...
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 568
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IMG_25098_0
In this revision of M4A78-EM the other chassis fan header is awkwardly between IO panel and CPU cooler. This might work for cases that sport case fan in back next to IO panel, but it's very bad for this build.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 481
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IMG_25125_0
Quality case often come with details you didn't know to ask, but which help you build better machine. And here's one: an extra PCI slot cover. There is some amount of room behind the ODD, but not enough breathing space for anything that generates heat, so
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 519
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IMG_25127_0
And here it is in use - perfect for getting couple of USB ports more and not blocking the already area around the real expansion card covers.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 501
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IMG_25137_0
The USB PCI backplate cable is *just* long enough. Remember it needs to go between motherboard and VGA card, which requires an additional turn.
Here you can also see both ends of the ODD SATA cable, routed behind the MB.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 439
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IMG_25140_0
Graphics card in place. This was the only "oops" on this rebuild: on the previous motherboard, M2A-VM, VGA slot was one spot higher, on M4A78-EM it's one spot lower.. meaning the graphics cooler fans sit very, very close to the hard drive cages.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 623
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IMG_25158_0
This S shaped piece of acrylic is the only totally custom part on this build, but it has a crucial role.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 808
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IMG_25162_0
These black tabs are rubber foam; expensive and heavy, but very good at vibration insulation. Attache with hot glue.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 818
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IMG_25166_0
The air guide (the S-shaped piece of acrylic) installed. The purpose of this is twofold: First, it directs air from the front fans towards the CPU/PSU intake area and second, it keeps the cables from the non-modular PSU out of the way of the said airflow.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 1697
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IMG_25168_0
The air guide friction fits between front panel connector PCB and case border, with help of the rubber foam tabs.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 468
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IMG_25178_0
Air guide and PSU in place.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 458
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IMG_25183_0
Air guide and PSU in place, cables in their almost final places. As you can see, there's a lot of spare cabling to store, and this is where the guide really shines.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 395
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IMG_25181_0
All major components in place.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 482
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IMG_25189_0
Tape was used to keep power and SATA cables out of the way. The borders and corners of the case have quite a lot of room for cables, you just need something to hold them there.
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 452
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IMG_25196_0
The Fanmate 2 controlling VGA fans was routed to the back of the case. If you do tricks like this, keep an eye on the power ratings - the reason why I was able to pull it off is that I used small (92mm) low power fans. Anything larger would go over the ma
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 556
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IMG_25199_0
Here you can see the bottom of the case and the HDD caddies. They are machine aluminium extrusions that also form the feet of the case. Now that the VGA fans are blowing almost against the case floor, I'm thinking of machining a fan vent to the empty HDD
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 460
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IMG_25205_0
Here you can see the bottom of the case and the HDD caddies. They are machine aluminium extrusions that also form the feet of the case. Now that the VGA fans are blowing almost against the case floor, I'm thinking of machining a fan vent to the empty HDD
Date: 07/03/2011
Views: 451
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IMG_25334_0
Overall view of the completed innards. Some of the cables look like they'd be in way of airflow, but trust me, none of them actually are.
Date: 07/19/2011
Views: 1508
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IMG_25340_0
Left front of the system.
Date: 07/19/2011
Views: 387
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IMG_25345_0
Completed system, from front. To get idea of the size, the front grille is almost exactly the size of 2*120mm fans.
Date: 07/19/2011
Views: 1835
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