Does this count as a mod?

[Gig-O-Ram]

I wasn't sure where to put this...so I put it here.

I just received my Zalman ZM-MFC1 controller a day sooner than expected, and instead of waiting for the weekend, I installed it a few days sooner than I thought I might, since I had the time. It replaces my Sunbeam Windmill, which I'll miss, but I couldn't find another one anywhere. Oh well...

The actual installation of the unit was not a big deal, even though you need to do a little wire cutting if you want to use the two switches it has. I did want to use them, so I can run six of my fans. But I didn't feel like cutting the leads on any of my fans, so I recycled a couple wire leads from my Windmill that I was sure were working, and cut those instead. For those who don't own one of these, it is very short. It only goes in about 3 inches or so from the front of the case, so it's a bit of a balancing act with brackets. And the reviews are correct when they say the lights are bright. They flicker a bit when on the lower setting, but not like the seizure inducing flickering I thought it might be, LOL!

What was a big deal was taking my rig apart enough to get the wires for the Windmill out, and then doing all the wiring for the Zalman and everything else just the way I wanted it. I had to remove the mobo entirely because I had WM wires running under it. I also removed my UV cathode and two inverters, which eliminated a lot of wiring. Now I only have one inverter buried behind the drive cages with my red and green lights on it. I think all this took 4 to 5 hours, just because mucking around in my rig is always such a thought provoking experience. "How should I do it this time?"
:alberteinstein:

To tell true, right now, I think my rig is about the least cramped looking inside that it's ever been. And since I cleaned the thing out for dust and extra wiring, cooling the chipset is (forgive me...) a breeze!

Some pics:
Even the flash can't mask how bright these things are!


How's this for bright!?

[Mysterio]

That's pretty nice... but you messed up on the blackness with the white colour cd/dvd drive

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Mysterio

That's pretty nice... but you messed up on the blackness with the white colour cd/dvd drive

I know...It's an older drive as it is, probably the only thing I have in the case that's an original part from an old system - that and my Maxtor. I should replace it sometime and have that "All Black" look, which would be cool.

[Beetle Bailey]

Looks good. I can't wait to finish my wifes system so I can get started on mine. I hope to in a week or so.

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

The actual installation of the unit was not a big deal, even though you need to do a little wire cutting if you want to use the two switches it has. I did want to use them, so I can run six of my fans. But I didn't feel like cutting the leads on any of my fans, so I recycled a couple wire leads from my Windmill that I was sure were working, and cut those instead. For those who don't own one of these, it is very short. It only goes in about 3 inches or so from the front of the case, so it's a bit of a balancing act with brackets. And the reviews are correct when they say the lights are bright. They flicker a bit when on the lower setting, but not like the seizure inducing flickering I thought it might be, LOL!

I have the same fan controller, what I did was I took a 3pin/molex adapter and pulled the wires our of the Molex connector. The metal Molex pins fit perfectly in the clamp down. This also extended the length of the wires, and prevented me from having to cut fan wires.

Originally Posted by Mysterio

That's pretty nice... but you messed up on the blackness with the white colour cd/dvd drive

Not really, it's nothing a little black spray paint won't fix. I spray paint Optical Drive bevels all the time.

[Pbirmingham1988]

That looks real nice.. Doesn't that bother your eyes though???

[gvblake22]

WOW, sounds like quite the ordeal!
Looks like a nice controller, but aren't you worried about a random static shock nipping your exposed HDD in the butt (literally and figuratively)?

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Pbirmingham1988

That looks real nice.. Doesn't that bother your eyes though???

Not really. I do notice it, especially when they're on full, but it doesn't bother me.

Originally Posted by gvblake22

WOW, sounds like quite the ordeal!
Looks like a nice controller, but aren't you worried about a random static shock nipping your exposed HDD in the butt (literally and figuratively)?

I hadn't thought about it, TBH. I haven't had any problems so far, but I suppose anything is possible. The reason the HDD sits there is only because of the cooler I have on it, otherwise it would be in an internal cage. Is there anything I could do - other than moving it - to help prevent exposure to static?

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

The reason the HDD sits there is only because of the cooler I have on it, otherwise it would be in an internal cage. Is there anything I could do - other than moving it - to help prevent exposure to static?

Seems like you should just be able to slide it back farther into the 5.25" drive cage enough to get a drive bay cover over the front...

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Seems like you should just be able to slide it back farther into the 5.25" drive cage enough to get a drive bay cover over the front...

Well, what I meant was that the drive is in the spot it's in because of the cooler, which when attached changes the overall size from the 3.5" form factor to the 5.25" needed in the larger bay. I actually do have the bay cover, but I just leave it off. I wouldn't need to push it back any to put the cover on.