A few years ago, I built my own computer. I selected an aluminum case with blue LED accents. They don’t make that model anymore, but it looks a bit like this, only with blue LED strips running up the front corners. I needed a floppy drive, and while I was at the store, I saw a silver-faced floppy drive. I said to myself, “Hey, that’ll go with my case.” The floppy drive was only about 15 bucks, so I bought it. That, in retrospect, was the beginning of the disease.
Not long after this, I was in a computer store, and I saw a case fan that had blue LEDs built into it. My case has a window, and a fan right in the middle of the window, and I decided that the blue-glowing fan would look cool on my computer. While I was there, I saw some cheap aftermarket fan grills, and I bought one that was shaped like an electrical hazard symbol. (It’s one of these. There were a couple other designs available, but this was the one that I thought would look best when backlit with blue light.)
After these purchases the disease went into remission. I was happy with my computer for the next couple of years. Then something set me off. I don’t know why, but recently I decided that I wanted a silver keyboard to go with my case. I googled for “silver keyboard,” and after a brief search, I found it. It was calling to me, pleading for me to take it. I had to have it. While I was there, I ordered a special cable. This requires a bit of explanation. My case has one of those little flip-down doors that covers a pair of USB ports and plugs for headphones and a microphone. It also has a hole for a Firewire port, but does not have the port itself. This has always bugged me. I’m embarassed to admit this, because I don’t own anything that uses Firewire, but dammit I want that hole filled. I’m going to see if I can mount this plug on my case without too much trouble.
The disease isn’t done with me yet. I’m probably going to get one of those illuminated mouses before too long, and I’ve already spotted those silver DVD-RW drives. I almost feel like an addict, but I like the thought of having a computer where everything matches, instead of looking like a bunch of mismatched components.
I’d say you’re well on the way to becoming a modder, but until you’ve cut holes in that case or added some sort of super powered cooling device, you haven’t earned your Dremel badge.
I have that exact same case, with the blue LEDs. I usually buy a new case when I build a new computer, but I kept that one for the last 2 that I have built. No after market mods though, but the motherboard that I have, this ABIT one, does have some red LEDs in various locations.
:dubious: One day you will catch yourself pondering how you to splice your CPU into your air conditioning system. That’s when your friends need to stage an intervention…
I’m beginning to see a convergence between ricers and modders. How long before someone makes cooling fan exhaust vents that look like a chrome plated paint can?
I appreciate asthetics but I have always been in the sleeper camp. If a modification or a bolt on doesn’t make it work better I have no need for it. If the modificaiton is invisible all the better. For me just having a floppy drive would be a cosmetic mod. I can’t remember the last time I used one. The floppy in my wife’s PC may work but none of the other four PCs and laptops in the house even have them.
Speaking of which, I had a hell of a time trying to cut a large hole in the side-panel of a computer case with my Dremel tool. I tried a carbide router bit (which just vibrated like hell), a diamond cutting wheel (way too slow) and even a 3" hole saw in my “normal” drill (which just bound up on the metal). I finally gave up and just drilled a bunch of 1/4" holes with a good drill bit and mounted my fans behind that. The airflow is very poor compared to what I could get with a 3" hole. How do those modder kids do it?
I’m in the same camp as Padeye - modders these days are just ricers with computers. I want a simple case loaded with kick-ass components, not a bunch of blue LED’s and cold-cathode fluorescent effects. It’s getting hard to find a plain beige or black case these days. At least when I do find them, they’re usually very cheap.
I was just thinking this morning that my old Gamecube (which is slowly dying but has already been replaced) could be gutted and used for some sort of mini-PC case. I’ve seen it done with a Dreamcast before with good results.