Dreamhack Winter 2005 Preview

Name: Evil Monster
Theme: Evil stuff
Materials: 2 x Coolermaster Stacker; 5mm sheet aluminium
Build Time: 200 hours

This was the biggest and most involved case I made for Dreamhack. In all honesty, describing it could take an entire article, so I will try to summarise as we fast-forward through parts.


The CoolerMaster Stacker needs no introduction. Love it or hate it, when you need a big-ass case, this is the case to get. Or should I say cases, plural, since I started with one and then requested a second to try something a little different. The first job was to strip down Case #1 completely.




Just like a hotrod, this first Stacker was getting "chopped" except I'm not lowering the roofline; I'm decapitating it...at the waist! Windows were cut on both sides - you will see why at the end. (Row 2) Yet more funky, tribal tattoo designs on each side of the drivebays, of which 6 of the original eleven are present.

I then switched to Stacker #2 - gosh I'm spoilt. These cases are £130 (190 euro / US$225) each and I have two to abuse!



The main feature for the left side of the case is this skull / pentagram design. I first outlined the image, then cut out the parts that weren't needed. After a lot of time engraving, the metalwork is done. (Row 2) I wanted to have some sort of background to the pentagram so I cut a circle of macrolon and spent yet more hours with my trusty Dremel creating the stippled effect you see here. Click for a bigger version, and you will see just how many dots there are on this. The final result looks good.




No disrespect to CoolerMaster, but the front / top of the case, well, it didn't suit my design. Using more of my 5mm sheet aluminium, I cut a baseplate with a skull profile on each side. I then engraved a front-on skull and cut it out. If that all sounds straight-forward, you obviously have never worked with 5mm thick aluminium. I spent many hours working on this with hand tools. Again, the result justifies the work / time.



Fast forward lots of time painting and engraving various part, and assembling the two cases together, and this is left side complete. The party trick is red back-lighting of the skull / pentagram, where the stippled perspex give a wicked, diffuse light.



Let's not forget the right-hand side panel. I found some cool devil line-art and spent a few hours engraving these two happy chappies.



Here is the final case. As you can see, it is HUGE - my son could fit inside if it was all one compartment. The case is perfect for watercooling or even phase-change cooling, with the lower chamber being thermally isolated from the main case.

Who says that size doesn't matter?