u/Miniteshi

Honestly, there's not much to it other than a few very basic tools to bring this 20 year old case ready for a modern day build.

1. The internal structure is NOT designed for modern day hardware in terms of GPUs and AIO systems. Due to this, the actual framework which runs through the system had to be removed. It simply required drilling the rivets out and wiggling said framework out. Thankfully the optical drive frame is removable so I managed to tuck in a lot underneath that.

2. Full size PSU will fit, MATX boards also are golden. 240mm AIOs is a tough one. I couldn't get mine mounted anywhere so right now it sits freely facing the front however the fans are pulling in fresh air from the underside. I just need to make a duct to make that airtight and a direct solid feed. Right now it's not doing any harm.

3. GPU wise, you WILL need the 180° connectors which I had already so it was a straight fit.

4. The display on the front requires the original 24pin adapter which I was lucky enough to have. It basically has 3 cables spliced into it to power the display and a separate USB to the board for data.

5. I'm using the OG software, iMon for the display which somehow still works with Windows 11 but you can use Aida64.

6. Temps in a case with ZERO airflow is always it's Achilles heel especially with this sort of hardware. The top panel does have some vents but I opted to drill a line of addition holes which run inline with the spine of the GPU. Initially the fans were setup with the ones closest to the mobo as intake, AIO also as an intake and then expecting the air to be pushed out through the exposed vents. In the end, all that did was pool war/hot air directly around the GPU. Once I switched the mobo side fans to exhaust, everything ran like a dream.

I'm really happy with the build. Even using basic fans, it's SUPER quiet. Same with the GPU. There's a whisper that it's got some power when it's on full load but overall, I barely break 50/55°C for my GPU or CPU.

Enjoy!

So I've had a few messages about temps and airflow so here we are. My 9070XT hasn't been limited other than an undervolt at -80mv. I'm at +10% power (maxed) with the fan speeds not exceeding 50% for testing purposes. Honestly, I'm pleased with that although for the sake of it, I'll run at 0% or -10% power since frame rates are great for my use.

Airflow for the GPU is via those top vents pictured, AIO is drawing cool air from the underside and exhausting though the side. Literally, that's it!

So I've had a few messages about temps and airflow so here we are. My 9070XT hasn't been limited other than an undervolt. I'm at +10% power (maxed) with the fan speeds not exceeding 50% for testing purposes. Honestly, I'm pleased with that although for the sake of it, I'll run at 0% or -10% power since frame rates are great for my use.

Airflow for the GPU is via those top vents pictured, AIO is drawing cool air from the underside and exhausting though the side. Literally, that's it!

Build specs

- 5700x3D

- Thermal right 240mm AIO

- Patriot Viper 32gb 3600mhz RAM

- 9070XT Reaper

Curently on the hunt for a BD drive just to finish it off