[SCRATCHBUILD] The Hikari Project

Hanshin

New member
[SCRATCHBUILD] The Hikari Project - Full aluminium ATX case

Hi OC3D mates!

This will be my first buildlog here, so I hope you'll enjoy it!

I'm Hanshin, a french computer enthusiast living near Osaka, Japan.
I've been thinking of a project for some time, a scratchbuild project: The Hikari Project!

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Made possible by my sponsors EKWB, Aquacomputer and Pexon PCs! :D

Thanks to Chris for helping me with the CAD side of the project.

For some time, I've searching for the perfect case for me that would be defined by the following criterias:

- Simple/minimalist aesthetics
- Uniform aspect and color to give a "monolith" aspect
- Capacity to build an efficient watercooling system inside
- ATX capable
- Easy to work with

After a few monthes of reflexion and designing, I came to a final idea. Let me introduce you the Hikari Project.

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"Hikari" means light in japanese.
This case will be made in 5mm & 2mm Aluminium (5052 and 6061 alloy), laser cutted and powdercoated!


This is the hardware that will be used:

CPU: i7 4790k
Mobo: Asus Z87 Maximus VI Formula
RAM: 16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 2400MHz
GPU: Evga Titan X
PSU: Corsair AX1200i
SSD: TBA

And the watercooling gear:

CPU Block: EK-Supremacy EVO
GPU Block: EK Titan X waterblock
MB Block: EK-FB KIT ASUS M6F
Radiators: AquaComputer Airplex Radical 2 360mm radiators x2
Fittings: EK-HDC fittings
Tubing: EK-HD tubing
Pumps & Top: TBA
Reservoir: TBA
Fluid: TBA

I hope you will enjoy this buildlog and see you soon for a new chapter!
 
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Thank you mates, it means a lot for me! :D

So the time for my first update has come!

Here are some renders of the case (sorry about the quality, I'm still a beginner). I'll try to not spoil every details to keep some surprises for after. =00=

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As you can see, the case is divided in two chambers. The radiators, the PSU and the pumps will be mounted in the bottom.

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On the rear side of the motherboard, as I'm concerned about great cable management and ease of work, I tried to let a 5cm space. There will be a window on that side too, as I really want to expose the work that will be done there (and thanks to Pexon PCs, it should be awesome!).

The case itself consists in more than 42 pieces of aluminium (I use different alloys for the panels and mounting parts), for a total weight of aproximatively 25 kgs. Here is a preview of the cutting files:

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The production of the case has already started, and I hope to be able to show you more really soon!

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Thank you guys! :D

Time for today's update!

A mysterious box from Amazon US was waiting for me today when I got back from work! I wonder what can it be? :p

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Time for unboxing!

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It finally came! I wish NVIDIA would sell it directly in Japan like they did for the US but I guess the wait was a part of the game. redface.gif

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This card is really a beauty! I can't wait to put it on the bench to test it!

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Nice cooler, but with the help of EKWB, it shouldn't be on air for too long. =00=


Some other parts for the build made their apparition too!

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I just need the RAM to come and I should be able to begin hardware testing.

The case should be ready very soon too!

Stay tuned!
 
Another mysterious box, from Tamiya this time, came today.


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Can you guess what is coming? A little hint.

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judging from your CAD drawing I think you have come up with something that is so understatedly SEXXXYYY . And your metal work looks top dollar from the pic's you have posted thus far . Ohh La La is all I can say .
 
Thank you for the nice words! I think it will look great once it's finished!

Time for the weekly update! =00=

So, as you can guess, this time, it's painting time!

In combination with the Tamiya paint I received earlier, I will use High Finish brushes from Tamiya too.

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Time to get that motherboard naked.

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The shield will also have some "treatment" after!

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So, after masking some sensible parts, I started painting the RAM slots and the first PCIe slot.
Working with high finish brushes like these ones has the advantage to be able to work very precisely without having to use a lot of masking tape.
I have been doing some model painting in the past with brushes so I had some experience before, but you have to be careful of overpainting and let the paint (especially enamel paint like this one) cure properly.

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First coat done (the Sata ports have been done in gunmetal color, but I decided later to do everything in matte black).

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So while the paint was curing, I had the time to take care of another package that came recently. :D

Corsair Dominator Platinum 2400Mhz

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And light bar upgrade kits.

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They look really nice but I had to do something with the color.

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So after a few days, I was able to do four coats of paints for all the slots. The result looks really nice and resistant!
I gave my airbrush some work too, by painting the shield in matte black. Here is the Maximus VI Formula Black Edition!

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I decided to do the Sata ports in black too, as I wasn't satisfied by the finish I had with the gunmetal paint. So I had to sand it down, then paint it with my airbrush for a way better result (I don't know why it looks irregular on the picture though) .

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I couldn't resist so I tried to fit the RAM and it match perfectly! So happy of the result!

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That's all for today!

Oh, I think something is coming soon too. :p

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Thank you mates! Really happy with the result!

Prepare yourselves for more goodness coming next week! =00=
 
Looking good mate. I've been debating on doing the same to my Z97 Gryphon, for an all black pure stealth build. Seeing how well yours turned out, has just made my mind up for me.
 
Looking good mate. I've been debating on doing the same to my Z97 Gryphon, for an all black pure stealth build. Seeing how well yours turned out, has just made my mind up for me.

It is really easier than it looks! just take your time and choose the tools that fit you the better.
If you want to give a try to brushes, maybe try an acrylic paint instead of enamel as curing time is faster and it is easier to work with it!
Spray paint is a very good option too! :)

Can't wait to see how yours will look!
 
I've got to pop to the hobby store next week, for some LiPolly batteries so, I might pick up the Tamiya paint, and brushes, I used to use them on model cars, back in the day, and you got a good result, so I'll stick with what I no.
 
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