Which Case LEDs

deanj20

deanj20

New Member
Hey CF! Been a while! Busy, busy...

I'm building a computer out of scrap parts I have laying around - I've cut a "window" out of the side of one of my cases, and put plexiglas in its place. It will look good when I get it all assembled, and I'll post pics. But I just called the local computer store (Altex) and they said they don't carry case LEDs anymore - so I was hoping to get some advice on what I should use to illuminate the case nicely.

I was looking at these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...888056&cm_re=CASE_LEDS-_-00-888-056-_-Product - but the PSU I'm using will only leave one 4-pin connector, and I'm afraid that it won't illuminate the case very well. Another option is getting a bigger PSU and using 3 - 6 of these lights - that should work, but that's more money than I'd like to spend on a trash-to-treasure project...

Another option would be to get something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...D27X-_-100651224&locStoreNum=8454&marketID=42 and rig up a socket inside the case - but that would require a second plug coming from the case, and would look kinda silly I think.

So, please, someone who builds computers - give me some idea of what I should use to light up my box. Thanks!!!
 
deanj20 said:
Hey CF! Been a while! Busy, busy...

I'm building a computer out of scrap parts I have laying around - I've cut a "window" out of the side of one of my cases, and put plexiglas in its place. It will look good when I get it all assembled, and I'll post pics. But I just called the local computer store (Altex) and they said they don't carry case LEDs anymore - so I was hoping to get some advice on what I should use to illuminate the case nicely.

I was looking at these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...888056&cm_re=CASE_LEDS-_-00-888-056-_-Product - but the PSU I'm using will only leave one 4-pin connector, and I'm afraid that it won't illuminate the case very well. Another option is getting a bigger PSU and using 3 - 6 of these lights - that should work, but that's more money than I'd like to spend on a trash-to-treasure project...

Another option would be to get something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...D27X-_-100651224&locStoreNum=8454&marketID=42 and rig up a socket inside the case - but that would require a second plug coming from the case, and would look kinda silly I think.

So, please, someone who builds computers - give me some idea of what I should use to light up my box. Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

go with your first option you have or you could. do what you just made me think of for my next build. buy some leds from
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=529
but you would need a resistor to lower the voltage down to 3.4 volts

im asking a different forum if theres a site to get them cheaper
 
Thanks for the input.

Here's what I've decided to do - I bought a green 60W "party bulb" from Home Depot, and tomorrow I'm going to get a "light socket on a cord with a switch" (I don't know what else to call it) and a dimmer.

I'm going to run the cord right beneath or beside the power supply, and mount the socket and bulb up on top somehow. The dimmer and the switch will allow me to control the glow or turn it off altogether. I think that it will look nice, although I hate the idea of having two cords - but I do have a power cord that has an outlet on the back, so I could just plug one into the other and tape it all together.

The only thing I'm concerned about is the heat generated from the bulb - but I think as long as I have good airflow through the case (which I will) everything should stay nice and cool. Anyway, I'll post pics when it's all done - probably by this weekend or possibly tomorrow.

3282936_040609l_gv.jpg
Green Party Light
43dead63658ba_4632b.jpg
Lamp Cable (that's what it's called!)
1W84TCsRJpOWoqH0Afsrhy_nzL4EIoTGTF9qVt-gSPxu6U87FZqnET1vuQI0pA_TrgsiqT6g1O_JtZaX8Mfmpg87LAlZoKaVUqQ5s2MkZDlSizlxlKwNNQhVsJfafFFL5TmqlRB-hYeRfYiNd-2wrLIVOSh8MxBxtfd63C9L1CwhZCEBN9mTmKI1CsN4LwB_l6-DmLwDlK42JGwfRlp0DHaD
Dimmer
cord.jpg
Cord w Female on Back

(EDIT) - That bulb might heat the metal on top of the case too much - may insulate with cardboard... we'll see...)
 
Damn, Fatback - I wish I would have looked at your link first... If I decide I don't like the way me idea works out, I'm definitely buying some tubes. How many did you use?
 
deanj20 said:
Thanks for the input.

Here's what I've decided to do - I bought a green 60W "party bulb" from Home Depot, and tomorrow I'm going to get a "light socket on a cord with a switch" (I don't know what else to call it) and a dimmer.

I'm going to run the cord right beneath or beside the power supply, and mount the socket and bulb up on top somehow. The dimmer and the switch will allow me to control the glow or turn it off altogether. I think that it will look nice, although I hate the idea of having two cords - but I do have a power cord that has an outlet on the back, so I could just plug one into the other and tape it all together.

The only thing I'm concerned about is the heat generated from the bulb - but I think as long as I have good airflow through the case (which I will) everything should stay nice and cool. Anyway, I'll post pics when it's all done - probably by this weekend or possibly tomorrow.

3282936_040609l_gv.jpg
Green Party Light
43dead63658ba_4632b.jpg
Lamp Cable (that's what it's called!)
1W84TCsRJpOWoqH0Afsrhy_nzL4EIoTGTF9qVt-gSPxu6U87FZqnET1vuQI0pA_TrgsiqT6g1O_JtZaX8Mfmpg87LAlZoKaVUqQ5s2MkZDlSizlxlKwNNQhVsJfafFFL5TmqlRB-hYeRfYiNd-2wrLIVOSh8MxBxtfd63C9L1CwhZCEBN9mTmKI1CsN4LwB_l6-DmLwDlK42JGwfRlp0DHaD
Dimmer
cord.jpg
Cord w Female on Back

(EDIT) - That bulb might heat the metal on top of the case too much - may insulate with cardboard... we'll see...)
Click to expand...

idk those dont make as much heat as the old 100w gas filled light bulbs tho

i wana see a pic when this is done
 
ganzey -

Thanks for the heads up - yeah, say right on the bottom of the bulb "Not for use with dimmers" :(

I wouldn't really mind buying cathodes, but I'm trying not to spend a whole bunch of money, and I would kind of like to have this done by the weekend. So far all I've got invested in this thing is 2 cans of 99¢ spray paint, a can of hammered-finish Rustoleum ($6) (all black) and maybe $3 of bolts invested... and now that damn $6 green bulb. The rest of the materials I already had on hand.

I planned on buying a heatsink/fan combo at Altex for $12 tomorrow, and getting the lamp cord and dimmer all for less than $10. So all in all, I would have a grand total of $39 invested in a very nice computer setup. If I buy just 2 cathodes from Newegg, I'm up $30 more after taxes... and then I'll have to wait on them for a week or two.

Also, I really like the dimmer idea. And with my setup, you can change the bulb out when it goes out or whenever you decide on another color. I think I'll stay with my idea, but maybe get some different bulbs - maybe like these:

or these:

(I'll paint the son of a bitch green - :P)

Thoughts???
 
Well, hell...

I finished the case off today - and it looks really great...

Problem is, I must have fractured or otherwise damaged the mobo pulling it in and out of the case while I was touching up today... :(

Last night, I had it all out on the floor (mobo, psu, hdds, etc) all hooked up and running like a champ. Then tonight, when I put it all in the case for the last time, as soon as I plugged it in it came on - which was odd, because I normally have to push the power button. No video or keyboard (no numlock response) - nothing. So I pulled it all back out of the case, and thoroughly examined it, and everything looks fine. But it still powers up as soon as I plug it in, with no other signs of life (the fans all just spin). I don't know what the problem could be. Anyway, I'll just have to order another Socket 478 board and put it in there - then I'll post pics...
 
I forgot. I never posted pics. Now, keep in mind, my camera phone doesn't do it justice:

The same model case unmodded:
old.jpg


And then I got a hold of it:
1.jpg

I had to lay it on its side for now because I'm staying with my folks while I'm looking for a place, and I don't have a lot of room...
2.jpg

Waiting on my PCIe card from eBay w/ dual outs... my old mobo had AGP. so I didn't have any cards for a dual monitor setup...
3.jpg

The front needs something extra. I'm thinking of carving a design in the empty space...
4.jpg

When I get a little cash, I'm going to buy more plexiglass, and redo the window and make into a swinging door. Don't know why I didn't think of it in the first place...
5.jpg

Tried to reduce the light on my camera to dim the bulb down... it's not nearly as bright as these pictures would lead you to believe... it looks good.
6.jpg

need to paint the HDD caddy... waiting until I get my video card and some SATA drives to open it back up though... it's kind of a bitch... :P
7.jpg


Well, that's it. I enjoyed building it. I bet I could make another one in a few hours... this one took me a few days. Learning curve ya know... ;)
 
bigfella said:
geez that is a POS
Click to expand...



I was just taking an old junked Pentium II box I had laying around and trying to make something cool out of it to house the system I had in a giant case.

I think it looks pretty cool, and I've gotten nothing but positive feedback from everyone I've showed it to except for you. I can take criticism, but that's pretty cold to diss someone else's hard work wihout even making any suggestions.

It's a work in progress. It's got a 3.0GHz Pentium 4 with 1GB RAM. It runs Windows 7 flawlessly and does everything I need it to do with no problems. So, no, it's not a POS.

We can't all afford top of the line equipment. I just made something cool out of what I had. If you don't like it, fine. But unless you've got something constructive to add, kindly just keep it to yourself.



That is all.

:good: :D
 
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Forums are for opinions. Sorry to hurt your feelings, but your sig says "say what you want".

That computer was crap 10 years ago. lol Your sig says a P3 in a crappy case with a green light which is still a POS, regardless. Even with a P4. And since your machine is below min specs for Win 7 by quite a bit, i doubt it runs flawlessly. May be you have the African battery powered PC version. http://windows.microsoft.com/systemrequirements

Either way IMO it looks crap. I would suggest you spend your money on getting out of your parents place, or better still, instead of getting budgie mirrors for your ancient PC, put your money into something constructive rather than a crappy green light. And btw, keep the swearing out of it.
 
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bigfellla said:
geez that is a POS
Click to expand...

bigfellla said:
Sorry to hurt your feelings, but your sig say "say what you want".

Your sig says a P3 in a shitty case with a green light which is still a POS, regardless. Even with a P4. And since your machine is below min specs for Win 7 by quite a bit, i doubt it runs flawlessly. May be you have the African battery powered PC version. http://windows.microsoft.com/systemrequirements
Click to expand...

haters gonna hate :P

i think you did a great job with it. totally went a different route with the green :good: some cold cathodes would have worked better though. also, you would actually have more room if you stood the thing up.

just needs a little cable management now.
 
bigfellla said:
its not about hate at all. just becuase its not a positive response, doesn't make it invalid
Click to expand...

Your post had no point to it other then making you look like a Jerk, which it successfully did. You could of easily said "I don't like it", or not of said anything at all, your post is a good example of a toll. Also the computer in his sig is a laptop, not the desktop that he just built. Don't take this the wrong way, but you seem really immature for your age. Maybe you're just having a bad day, or something.

Don't get surprised that people are going to reply to you in a negative way. Negativity, attracts more negativity which is what a troll wants. I'm not saying thats what you're doing, but it does seem like it.

Now his tread is probably going to get closed.
 
He posted the pics and the outcomes of a build which i tried to help with (see previous posts). The outcome is really quite underwhelming. No trolling. I simply said i thought it is a POS, which most computer knowledgable people would agree. It looks crap. My 5 or so words were met with a filthy emotional response. Suck it up. Im sick of the political correctness. It is what it is, IMO, shite. That is what forums are for - opinions. I am very positive in other threads, helpful even, so don't suggest im trolling simply becuase i don't give a pat on the back for what is a very average effort.
 
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bigfellla said:
He posted the pics and the outcomes of a build which i tried to help with (see previous posts). The outcome is really quite underwhelming. No trolling. I simply said i thought it is a POS, which most computer knowledgable people would agree. It looks crap. My 5 or so words were met with a filthy emotional response. Suck it up. Im sick of the political correctness. It is what it is, IMO, shite. That is what forums are for. I am very positive in other threads, helpful even, so don't suggest im trolling simply becuase i don't give a pat on the back for what is a very average effort.
Click to expand...

i am assuming you meant fatback right?
 
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