From water to air with Intel SC5300

[LucifurFox]

For a long time I've admired the design of the Intel pedestal server's. I've worked with them in the past but could never justify putting one in my rack because it really didn't give you much for taking up 5U's of space, it cost around 400.00 brand new, and and it would never have fit my water cooling without extensive modification. So the idea was put on a shelf for 3 years.

After water cooling my rigs since 2006 or so, I've been wanting to try something different; air cooling! (hold your applause).

So I started searching for a new case. All the newer "enthusiast cases" were either way too expensive, or gave me a headache when trying to figure out how efficient they would be. (Most appear to offer no case pressure these days...if I remember correctly tons of vents = terrible air flow!

So, after quite a bit of searching I came across an old Intel SC5300 for the right price and I have decided to give it a shot!

I don't expect this case to be flashy. I don't expect many to stalk this thread.
I expect this build to be something you don't see every day. Something sleek and designed for optimal efficiency.

Only time will tell if I'm just wasting me time!

Constructive criticism is encouraged, its been a while since I've done any case modding!

Have some progress pictures! (The case had been partially disassembled at this point so some parts are not in the pic's)

 

[LucifurFox]

Case disassembled, grills removed, holes cut, PSU bracket made and front panel connectors made. Yay progress!

 

[LucifurFox]

Wow, finally an update. Turns out buying a house and migrating a telephone systems takes up buckets of your time.

Have some progress pics. I hope to get a hold of a decent camera for some "finished product" shots.

 

[cyberjihad]

sweet

 

[demize]

I like what u did here. Is this not a server case? Very impressive and clean looking bud!