Author: Spot Posted on: 7/23/2001 Sponsor: Plycon Discuss: In the forums

Introduction I've been getting sick of staring at my plain-jane computer case for quite some time now, so I finally decided I'm going to mod the hell out of it. What better place to start than with a window kit? Window kits are great - especially if you're big into LAN parties so everyone can see all of the cool parts you put into your pride and joy. I headed over to Plycon and picked up a clear rectangle window kit (which is made by the crew at PCMods.Com). Getting Ready The window kit itself is a "no tool installation". All of the tools you will need are for cutting your case to prepare for the window installation. Here's what is included in the kit: (1) Acrylic Window (1) 3' Molding Strip (1) 3' Locking Strip (1) Washer (used as a spacer) (1) Set of installation instructions You may need the following items to make the installation as smooth as possible. I say, "may need" because everyone's situation may be slightly different. Personally, I didn't need a drill because I already had a large hole cut in my case, but some of you may need one. Anyway, here are the recommended tools from PC Mods. Pencil Masking Tape Saber Saw, Nibbler, or Dremel Tool Deburring tool Flat File Utility Knife I recommend having a small flat-head screwdriver in arms reach as well. We'll get to that later, but you might as well grab one before you start doing anything. Installation Since the instructions are quite detailed, instead of regurgitating them word for word, I'm going to take a slightly different approach and just tell you exactly what I did to get this puppy installed. Your case may require you stray from these directions slightly, but not to worry - it really IS a simple process. Figure out exactly where you want the window to be installed on your case. Once you cut into it, you better be damned sure you have it in the right spot because there's no turning back. Lay the window on the case and move it around until you find the right location with plenty of clearance from any obstructions. Once you find a spot and you're happy with it, set the provided washer against the side of the window; use a pencil, and trace all the way around the window. Now that you have drawn the template, it's time for the fun part - the cutting. I started out using a dremel tool, but after about 30 seconds, I realized it was going to take all night. I suggest breaking out the jig saw, because it only took about 3 or 4 minutes to cut the entire template. I should also mention, the instructions suggest placing masking tape around the edges of the hole, to prevent any scratching which may occur during the cutting process. However, I chose not to do so, since I plan on painting this case sometime in the near future. Cut directly on the line that was drawn at the beginning, and if all goes as planned, you should have something shaped similar to the window that you outlined. Remember, if you screw-up cutting, aim the screw-up towards the middle, not the outside. You probably won't be too happy if you accidentally cut outside the line leaving a three-inch gash in your "baby". Now that the hole is cut, you are ready to install the molding strip onto the case. If you look at the end of the molding, you will see the groove is smaller on one side than the other. In this picture, the smaller side is on the right. Use this smaller groove and install it in the hole that was cut in the case. This leaves the wider side facing the "inside" of the window, and an empty groove facing the inside of your case for the locking strip to fit into. If the molding strip is too long, then just whack off the excess with a utility knife. You should be ready now to install the acrylic window. This is where the small flat-head screwdriver comes into play. Take the window and fit it into the inside groove on the molding. You will have to push and pull on the molding to get the window to fit completely inside the groove. After you get about half of the window installed, it should start holding itself into place making it easier. As less molding becomes available to manipulate, you might want to use the screwdriver to help lift the edge of the molding strip to help ease the installation. The last step is quite simple. Flip the case so you are facing the "inside", and install the locking strip into the only groove that is not filled. This locking strip helps hold the window in place and makes things sturdier. If you don't install the locking strip - the window can fall out with just a simple bump - not that I would know or anything. Finished Product That's all there is to it. It took me a total of about 40 minutes from start to finish to install the window kit. Not bad for the first step down the road of case modding. Of course it would look much better if I had some neon lights installed, or some yellow ATA/100 rounded cables, but that just gives me all the more reason to get some. Like I said at the beginning, I decided to mod the hell out of my case, and this is just the first step. By the time I'm done with this thing, it's going to be water cooled and lit up like a night at Vegas; mag wheels, painted - the works. Here's a look at the "before and after" pics of my own personal case. Looks much better - eh? Before After Conclusion You know by now our motto around LWD is "telling it like it is..." and I really think this window kit was worth the money. At the time of this article, I picked it up for $25.99 USD, which is a short night at the bar, or the price of a Duron 700. It doesn't make anything run faster, but damn - I feel cooler having it installed. I can't wait for the next LAN party to come my way so I can show off my goods. I'll be adding quite a few items to this bad boy in the near future to make it look even better. The only drawback I found was, I installed the window right where my case fan used to be located. It has raised my case temperature quite a bit, but it's not a major setback since I'll be doing some water-cooling soon. It should be something you will want to keep in mind though if you plan on covering an area where a case fan is installed.

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Published on: 2004-02-18 (20096 reads)