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  Project:     Inwin IW-S508-I Case Mod Project - Tweakbox LAN Box  
  Author:     Hi-TEK
  Date:     December 5th, 2001

Introduction:

To help celebrate the re-launch of Tweakbox.com, I was approached with the opportunity to design a new promotional flagship LAN case. This case would have to standout from the crowd, have plenty of unique features and embody all that case modding means to Tweakbox. I worked on a plan for three days and eventually came up with a concept that I thought would work very well for this project. In this article you will witness the transformation of a mild mannered Inwin IW-S508-I ATX Mid Tower Case into a super powered Tweakbox LAN case. As with all my previous articles I always set out a list of objectives and here they are in no particular order:

As with all my previous articles I always set out a list of objectives and here they are in no particular order:

  • Controlled cooling using the PCMods Rheostats baybus connected to 1 x 120mm Everclear Fan (front-intake), 3 x 80mm Panaflo high speed fans (side-intake, rear exhaust and top panel exhaust).
  • Dual custom built plexi window on the side and top panels using with black trim and locking strap.
  • Aesthetics: 2 x 10" Red Neon kits
  • Custom logo design using metal and clear contact lettering
  • Home made hard drive cooler
  • Aluminum mesh front bezel
  • Black and red combination based theme.

NOTE: Proper precautions should be taken when attempting your own case mod project and as with all warnings, you are responsible for your own actions. MODTHEBOX.COM cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to your case or computer equipment by not following the necessary safety procedures.

Inwin IW-S508-I - Key Specifications/Special Features:
Inwin IW-S508-I ATX Mid Tower Case: Manufactured by Inwin Development Inc
Case Dimensions: 420 mm * 198 mm * 465 mm (H*W*D) - 16 1/2" * 7 3/4" * 18 5/16"
Drive Bays: 3 * 5.25", 2 * 3.5", (internal: 2 * 3.5")
Fan Accomodation: 1 x 80MM fan receptacle located in front
Form Factors: ATX, Micro ATX, Baby AT Board
I/O Slots: 7 Slots
Sheet Metal: SECC Japanese Steel
Security: Padlock Option
 
System Specifications:
Gigabyte GA-7ZX Motherboard
AMD T-bird 850 CPU
256MB Crucial SDRAM
Leadtek Geforce2 GTS
D-link DFE-TX 10/100 NIC
SB Live 5.1 soundcard
12X Creative DVD
100MB Iomega Zip
IBM 18GB Hard Drive
Windows 2000 Professional
Brother HL1240 Laser Printer
Optiquest V95 19" monitor
Creative Soundworks FPS2000 speakers
Microsoft Natural keyboard
Logitech Optical mouse
 
Tools and Material Used:
Makita 10mm (3/8") drill model#6410
Mastercraft saw mandrel (1 1/4" to 6")
25 piece H.S.S drillbit set
Dremel Multipro 5 w/50 accessories
Solder gun w/lead free hi-tech electronic rosin core solder
Lenox Bi-metal Hole saws 3-1/8" 80mm
Milwaukee Super Tough Bi-metal 4/6" 120mm
Marr UV Black cable ties
Clear wire split loom
Black wire split loom
Safety googles
MG Computing Products super compressed dust buster
PCMods Rheostats BaybusKit
Anodized Fan Filters
2 x 10" Red Neon Light kits
1 x Everclear 120mm high speed fan
4 x Panaflo 80mm high speed fans
Black heat shrink tubing
Mastercraft Automotive Paint: Bright Red, Universal Black, Automotive Clear Coat
Mastercraft Grey Primer
Sandpaper (600 grit, 2000 grit)
Black heat shrink tubing
Black and red 22AWG wiring
2 x High intensity Red leds 3.6v @ 1200 MCD
1 x black momentary switch
1 x Aluminum splash guard
2 x Lucite-Tuf acrylic sheets
Clear contact paper
 

Inwin IW-S508-I ATX Mid Tower Case
Click image for larger view
Inwin IW-S508-I ATX Mid Tower Case
Click image for larger view
 

The first day started off by picking up the Inwin IW-S508-I ATX Mid Tower case from Tweakbox. I quickly took the package down to my basement and proceeded to start my evaluation on the case design. My initial reactions were that the frame design was pretty sturdy with enough room to mount a 120mm, 92mm or 80mm fan on the front bezel and a stock 80mm fan on the rear. There was enough room inside the case for 7 drive bays (3 x 5.25" and 4 x 3.5"). The left and right side panels included hand grip indentations for easy access to the inards of the case and a neat screwless front panel. Other notables included an easy to remove hard drive cage, rails for installing your drives as well as a stock 300w power supply. One problem that I did notice right away was that the drive bay inserts for the front bezel were curved which might cause a problem for anyone who plans on putting stock Baybus or Rheobus into a case like this. I knew I would have a quick work around when the time permitted for it.

Inwin IW-S508-I Case Frame
Click image for larger view
Inwin IW-S508-I Case Frame
Click image for larger view
 
I took out my Dremel Multipro 5 and started work on the fan inserts. For the rear stock 80mm fan I used a reinforced cut off disk and removed old fan guard from the back of the case to improve exhaust airflow. For the front bezel I used my Makita drill with a Milwaukee Super Tough Bi-metal 4/6" 120mm hole saw to cut an opening to mount a 120mm Everclear fan. To finish everything up I used a fan grill to accurately measure out my fan mounting points where I would be securing the fans to the case as well as de-burred the sharp edges of the fan cuts with a grinding stone.
 
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