Author: Fido Posted on: 5/7/2002 Sponsor: NorthWardGraphics Discuss: In the forums

Introduction Based in the northern woods of Wisconsin, Northward Graphics is a group of people who specialize in building professionally modified PC cases. Their diverse staff ranges from a retired guy, a computer technician, an auto-body paint tech, an artist, a logger, and a dog named Trillium. They started out customizing cases locally, and eventually thought they had what it took to take their show on the road. Today we're going to take a first hand look at some of their handy-work, to see if they really do have what it takes to mod with the best of them. Before we get too far into this review, I want to share with you the approach that will be taken. This isn't going to be a typical case review, where we talk about what the case has to offer structurally or what case features we liked and didn't like. Instead, we're going to ignore most of these traits and cover the quality and workmanship that went into the modifications. After all, we're not after what the case was like when the folks at Northward Graphics got their paws on it, we're interested in what it was like after they were done making all the modifications. Deep Sea Painting If you decide to purchase a case from Northward Graphics, it will take at least three weeks for it to arrive at your doorstep. The main reason for this is due to extensive painting process that takes place. The case you choose (they currently have 4 different models available for modification: Apex Mid, Apex Full, PC-60 Lian Li, and the Chenming) will be painted in the same manner an automobile is painted. It will be sanded, primed, base coated (with a 2 coat minimum), clear coated (also with a 2 coat minimum, more if images / graphics are used), wet-sanded, and buffed. This process itself will take about a week and half to be completed, at which time the case must dry properly. The rest of the time your case will spending on their bench will be for disassembling, cutting, and applying any additional options you want, such as windows and fans. The sample case sent to us for review, the mid tower Apex model has a base coat of metallic black. The clear coats that have been applied combined with the metal flake base give the case a very "deep" finish. I attempted, using many different photo angles to capture the depth of the finish, but at times it was just so "deep", it was very difficult to capture. The paint job that has been applied to this case is by far some of the best work I've seen!              As mentioned in the opening paragraph of our discussion on the paint, we said a minimum of two clear-coats are applied, and more will be applied if graphics / decals are used. The case we received for review was not crafted in this manner - Northward Graphics recently changed the way they apply decals to cases. When they started out making cases, they would apply two coats of clear-coat, and then apply the graphics / decals last. The new method of applying the graphics / decals involves "floating" the images between layers of clear-coat. Wet sanding is done to remove the sense of an 'edge' that may appear around the image, and then additional clear-coats will be applied as required.              I expected the paint to be somewhat brittle, and was worried about it chipping at times, but it is surprisingly durable. I've seen many self-painted cases around that are all chipped and scratched from handling, and everyday use. One bad point to bring up about having such an illustrious paint job is that it's very difficult to keep clean. The high gloss finish collects and magnifies fingerprints and smudge marks show up very easily, especially with a dark colored base coat. Keep this little factor in mind when it's time to pick out the color! In addition, Northward graphics should really consider doing something about the power / reset buttons on their Apex cases. They obviously removed them from the case prior to painting the case (or they did a really great job taping them off), but left them unpainted. If you are familiar at all with Apex cases, which I'm sure plenty of you are, the buttons are always purple. Leaving them this ugly purple color does not compliment the case at all, and actually distracts from the overall appearance. Looks like you've got a rod knockin Just about anybody can install a window in a case, but that does not mean everyone should open up shop on the Net selling windowed cases. I've seen properly installed case windows, and I've also seen some that were not. The ones that are not installed properly look like crap, and the ones done right come out looking like the case came straight from the factory with the window pre-installed. Judging from the attention to detail that was put into installing the window in our review sample, Northward Graphics has obviously installed more than a few windows in their time. But before we get too far into this, we should talk about the different types of window kit installations. Case windows can be installed one of two ways. They are either installed with a double-edged (grooved) molding strip like the one we reviewed here, or they are mounted behind a "trimmed hole". Each type of installation will give you a different type of look. The windows that utilize the double-edged molding strip have a very flat look to them - the surface of the window is flush with the case surface. While windows that are installed behind the hole appear to be recessed - the surface of the window is not flush with the side of the case and appears to be behind it. There are many arguments as to which style of installation is actually the best to use. However, that argument will not be covered in this review. Some people like their windows to look one way, while others may like the alternate look better. This review will simply explain the type of installation used by Northward Graphics, and let you choose whether or not it is to you liking.        So which type of installation was used in our review sample? It was installed by cutting a hole in the side of the case, installing trim around the edge of the hole, and mounting the plexiglass behind the hole. As you can see from the pictures below, they obviously had some problems keeping the trim in place, due to the curve they cut around the built-in handle. I spoke to them about this and they said, "The window design in your review sample has been changed to a different style that resolves this problem." They also said some people had a problem with the installation and removal of the case side with this window design, which was another reason for the change. I did not experience this particular problem with this case though. Either way, it's worth a mention, if anything to show that Northward Graphics actually cares about the quality of work they are selling to their customers. Aside from the slight trim problem, the window was installed as a window should be - giving the appearance it came this way straight from the factory.               Wanna see my sticker collection? In the same way body tattoos and piercing add flair and individuality to a person, adding custom personalized vinyl decals to a case can have a very dramatic effect on its appearance. You can have just about any image or shape you want created, and they can be applied both the case and or the window. The graphics applied to the window are gray in color, and give the appearance of etching on the glass. The graphics applied to the case surface come in two different styles: the traditional automotive style vinyl image, and a high-resolution tattoo style image. The images applied to the sample case we are reviewing, were taken directly from the LITTLEWHITEDOG website. They where applied to the case on top of the clear coats, and not "floated" between layers of clear-coat. The method of "floating" the graphics between the layers of clear-coat is something relatively new, which is why our sample case was not created this way.              Northward Graphics has a very large selection of pre-designed graphics you can choose from if you decide to have them build you a case, or you can also order just the graphics if you want to a case you've already modified. In either event, consider adding vinyl graphics to your list of case modifications - you'll be very happy with the results!        Will it keep my beer cold? Northward Graphics offers several different cooling options, depending on the type of case they are building for you. This makes perfect sense, since there is no way they're going to be able to install nine 80mm fans inside a mid tower case, and still keep it looking "professional". The mid-tower Apex case we received for review had Sunon a fan installed in the back of the case near the CPU to push the hot air out, and another one in the lower front of the case to draw cooler air in. Their website also lists fans available in the following locations for this particular case model: Access Side, Dual Access Side, Access Side (in window), Top, and Top (in window). Each of these specially added fans will of course increase the overall price of the case, but it's good to know the options are all there for you if you want to take advantage of them.        Lights Out! With what we've covered so far, we've got a pretty sweet looking case here, but it's time to take things one-step further and add in the light. Available lighting options range from 10" neon to 17" neon, and come in a wide variety of colors. There isn't anything out of the ordinary when it comes to these lights; they're the same type of lights you can buy just about anywhere. They sure do bring out the beauty in this case.               Conclusion Based on the "design your own case" ordering process available on the Northward Graphics website, this case would run you about $330.00 bucks (give or take, depending on which PSU you choose). That is, with the following options: Apex ATX Mid Tower Case painted Metallic Black, Enermax 350 Watt PSU, a clear side window with etch, aqua neon 10" light, front graphic, and motherboard side graphic. This may seem like quite a hefty price tag for what you're getting, but based on what I've seen in this sample case (along with some of the cases in their gallery), the quality of workmanship you'll get in exchange for your hard-earned cash is top-notch. To summarize what we've learned about Northward Graphics case moddin skills: While the neon lighting options are available in three different lengths, and variety of colors, I would like to see some cathode light kits available. If you have them add a window to your case, adding a light is a definitely something you'll want to consider. Cooling options in our sample case met my expectations. A stock Apex case does not include fans in the rear, or the front of the case - they were added by Northward Graphics. There are also plenty of additional cooling options available to you that could help this case become a really cool running box. The graphics are a very nice addition to any case. There are plenty of pre-designed graphics available to choose from, and they can also create a custom graphic based upon your own design(s). Floating vinyl graphics between layers of clear coat is a new feature that we were unable to observe in our review sample, but it can only improve upon an already excellent case enhancement. I was neither impressed nor disappointed by the case window. They are however making many enhancements to their window design shapes as well as color options available, and are among one of the first companies I've seen to offer colored plexi-glass windows available in dark red, deep blue and purple. The paint job on this sample case is by far, my favorite modification! There is of course the issue of the non-painted buttons on the Apex case I'm not very fond of. And remember you'll have a hard time keeping the fingerprints, and dust off this thing - especially if you pick out a dark color. But, aside from these two minor setbacks, the amount of work and attention to detail that went into painting this case is well beyond anything you would be able to do yourself out in the garage with a couple cans of paint obtained from the local hardware store. I hope we've given you enough information about the modifications made by Northwards Graphics to determine for yourself whether or not they are worth doing business with. Purchasing a pre-modified case does of course take some of the fun out of doing it yourself, along with taking away some of the bragging rights you'll earn by doing it yourself. Then again, maybe bragging to your friends that you're the proud owner of a Northward Graphics case will make up for it.

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Published on: 2004-02-01 (6065 reads)