Going Mod: 9 Cool Case Mod Projects

by Russ Caslis

Get cracking Here's the hardware hacker's guide to banishing boring beige boxes ExtremeTech readers aren't timid about cracking the case and voiding the warranty, and they'll love these detailed instructions for PC extreme makeovers that add lights, shapes, windows on the works, and more individuality to standard PC cases Modding is hot; a multimillion dollar industry has grown up around the hobbyists who modify their computer cases with way-out windows, neon and lighting displays, custom cooling systems, and more Modding is also mainstream-major computer retailers now stock light kits and fan kits, while some PC vendors offer out-of-the-box cases with personality Written by a serious modder who took a Dremel to a computer case long before it was fashionable, the book provides materials lists, identifies necessary tools, and supplies all the directions for over a dozen cool case mods

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764573748
• ISBN13: 9780764573743
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 420 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive

Even talks about fabrication techniques. Don’t be put off by the black and white, it’s worth your time.

All the skills you need, plus 9 cool projects

If you are tired of your boring beige box, then this is the perfect guide to tricking out your PC. Russ Caslis - the guy behind those cool mods you have seen online like the Millennium Falcon and Aircraft Carrier mods (both included in the book, by the way) has written an excellent guide that is broken into 2 main parts. Part I is called Basic Training, and covers all the skills you need to mod your case -cooling systems, cable management, windows, blowholes, soldiering, even working with acrylic, and a brief guide to overclocking. Part II has 9 complete mods with step by step instructions. Looks like there is also a website with the book that has color photos for all the projects and other stuff - www.wiley.com/go/extremetech. This is the most complete book I have seen for learning casemodding skills, and highly recommended for anyone who has seen a cool mod on the web and wondered, "how'd they do that?"

Cool mods

Caslis gives us 9 mods, where he came up with ways to personalise, and I mean, REALLY personalise a PC. He's reaching out to the user who is not satisfied with have a unique background bitmap on the screen, or some strange arrangement of the icons. Rather, you need to be of the hands-on ilk. He also gives you a good overview of the general techniques you need to be facile in. Like drilling holes in the computer casing, without trashing it. Or soldering. Or putting in extra fans for cooling. This latter ability is important if you are into overclocking your machine, with its concomitant extra heat dissipation needs. The cutest mod may be that of turning your PC into a baby UFO. Sorry, it doesn't fly. But it looks really cool.