Best products from r/pcmods

just a random spitball guide, but I'd go with something like this: https://www.amazon.com/HOEN-Cutting-Opener-Aluminum-Plastic/dp/B07BFVKW42

Look for the size you want and ideally one that can cut metal.

See what other people recommend, but I like hole saws, gets it done in one go with a nice clean hole. But hole saws can also be a bit unwieldy as that's a lot of area in contact. One time I used a large-ish hole saw on wood I over loaded my drill and had to borrow a friend's beefier one.

I am concerned that 200mm might be too big of a hole saw for a hand drill, but idk, I've never used one bigger than 120mm.

So for $10 of led strip and $25 of controllers you'd be able to make 10 sets of strip kits for $35. Selling at $20 each would net $200 and then $165 after materials and probably $130 profit after shipping and magnets. You can probably get an even better deal on the rgb led strip as well to increase profits.

Overall I'd say it is a pretty good deal but I wouldn't buy it for only 1 foot of led strip. Especially not $8 for another foot. Great for people who don't want to solder and/or just want an easy kit. This however, also exists and is only $17 with prime shipping.

I suggest upgrading your CPU cooler to something possibly like the Cooler Master Hyper Evo, use some ArctiClean to clean up the CPU before the install after you remove the old cooler. I suggest using coffee filters to clean it up because they are lint free and work very well. You can find tutorials online on how to install a new cooler if you have any issues with it. You can either use the thermal paste the cooler comes with or get some Arctic Silver 5, I think Radioshack repackages it and sells it.

I also suggest setting it up so the fan is pushing air through the cooler towards the back of the case and if you can afford it, get a second fan for the other side and do a push/pull config and that will help temps a lot.

Or if you have enough room and want a good solution to lower CPU temps I suggest getting something like the Cooler Master Seidon 120XL. I have one in my build and helps the CPU temps since my case is so small


Also get some cable ties, that shit is a mess

do you think something like this would work?
https://www.amazon.com/Onemax-Adapter-USB3-0-Extension-Dedicated/dp/B071YR1JVW/
back when i was doing a little mining, i think i asked someone about using a gpu with it for gaming and they said it works and they didn't see any issues with using it. but it wasn't mini pci-e it was one of those 1x for desktop. I might be wrong, could have been the spacer cables that go to the 16x to 16x.
that thing is super cheap and has sata for power.

edit: hmm i didn't link the build, here's most of it. https://unitedstreamers.net/threads/the-custom-pc-case-laptop-to-portable-desktop-w-excessive-cooling.383/
I have a lot of new pics that need uploaded, i'm pretty close to firing it up but have been super busy with other stuff.

Edit 2: found this that can also help https://www.amazon.com/XINY-Mini-PCI-E-Extension-Cable/dp/B06XSYRLJW/r
I could likely just solder a old wifi card fingers to the 1x but this way i make sure i dont screw something up.

I got some random LED strip setup on Amazon for $14.99, I just connected it to a SATA power cable and it came with a remote. Pretty easy to set up. Super Bright Computer LED Strip Kit - Vibrant LED Computer Lighting LED Computer Lights - RGB Multi Color 2pcs 20inch LED Strip Light with Multi Function RF Remote for Desktop PC Computer Mid Tower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AZ4XX0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8mM6BbWFH5FN9

I prefer these when I'm doing LED lighting. It requires a little bit of soldering, but just a singe Molex connector where the AC power brick is. Two wires total.

Long strip, lots of color options, remote control, has the ability to adjust your color settings in R,G or B one step at a time in either direction and save custom color profiles and has several different pulsating/flashing lighting effects if you're into that.

Regardless of which one you get, if you go with a long LED strip like this you should either get the NON-waterproof version or be ready to cut and solder the strips at every corner. The waterproof covering is excellent but doesn't bend very well at all.

Also, invest in some thin double-sided tape. The adhesvie that comes with a lot of these isn't very good.

stock cpu cooler might be able to handle a modest overclock but if you had the extra cash and wanted to be positive the cpu would stay cool then id say scoop a 212 evo as well

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PV84NCR

Install by tapping in to the wires going to your PC switch. Set for momentary, download the app and your all set. FYI, you use the app to configure it, but you can use a smart speaker to control after it's configured. You can also turn it off and on via voice if you have a smart speaker like an Echo. BTW, when you activate it, if the PC is already on it will turn it off. For just a phone without a smart speaker, just search for wake on lan.

Sure! Found this kit from a reputable vendor: https://www.amazon.com/532pcs-Shrink-Tubing-innhom-Approved/dp/B075WR9FVL/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2D9Y44OEO8I5J&keywords=heat+shrink&qid=1564436097&s=gateway&sprefix=Heat+shrink%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-5

Amen to that! Nah you don't need any extra tools, not for private use at least. I own a heatgun but 99% of the times I'd just use a regular lighter. Can't confirm a hairdryer would work but yes, if it's hot enough :)

> The whole point was to prevent GPU sag but I guess I could run some bends to keep the card propped up.

I'd get creative with some form of pillar or even do something with suspension like in Pi.

I'd do something novel with suspension from above.....but I've got a horizontal motherboard in the HAF XB case.

I've looked into such vertical GPU mounts before for the sake of something novel(gpu laying fan-side up in my case) and I keep coming to the same issue, awkward cabling / plugs.

The only way around it that I see would be to cut into the case to allow for this from Cooler Master or something like it for full access to the back of the card and to use normal cables.

Not sure if your case would need cutting, but most have bars or slats between/under the PCIE covers.

Thanks for the input. I'm going to get a new fan. Looking at these 2 noctua fans any input would be appreciated

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Noctua-4-Pin-PWM-Controlled-Ultra/dp/B00KF7Q4WG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=noctua%2Ba14&qid=1561980183&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&th=1

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Noctua-NF-A14-PWM-Chromax-Black-Premium/dp/B07655KF5C/ref=pd_sbs_147_6/259-9422388-7911165?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07655KF5C&pd_rd_r=c03e4d08-9bf2-11e9-928f-5119d4ade27c&pd_rd_w=Y5AGs&pd_rd_wg=O64rw&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee-bb40-d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=KBCMWSQRQQMAX6SXGHXV&psc=1&refRID=KBCMWSQRQQMAX6SXGHXV

Lots of cool effects with this strip, internal power and Bluetooth controlled via smartphone. Very cool for the money IMO.

Airgoo® Smart Bluetooth RGBW LED Strip Light Kit - Smartphone App Controlled Multi Color LED Light 3.28FT for Computer Case Decoration or Computer TV Backlight, Home Decoration, Parties Decoration https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AZ4XYEY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VgoSybPQ74AC2

These leds are what i use. They are really bright have every color you can imagine. it does come with 16 feet, which i did manage to use in a full size tower. It has sticky tape on the back which is ok i still ended up having to use some 3m double sided tape. ive used these in 4 builds and i love them. ive tried cathodes its hard to get them into small spaces and behind stuff without either being able to see them or them not fitting. my cathodes also only lasted just over a 2 years where leds should have a longer life span.

Something like this may also be helpful then. It hasn't been out long and hopefully they will be restocking it. You also have this one which is more specific to Cooler Master cases but you could mod it to fit differently if you cut a side panel. Brackets just might make things easier for you.

Get one of these (Mnpctech, Puget, Atlas, Bitspower or any kind of bolster),
put something below it
or attach a piece of string to your GPU and the top of your case.

Backplates can also reduce GPU sag (or rather bending) but those support brackets probably do a better job.

Technically, you can use this: https://www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-Controller-Individually-Addressable-Programmable/dp/B0792SFHJ4?th=1

That however presents and issue. That is designed to be used outside a case, not inside. Now, if you are willing to solder, you can create external controls and adapt it to an internal usb port. There are other options as well, I suppose, but that's really the clean way to do it IMO.

This one looks good visually and seems good on paper, what do you think? https://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Technology-Backplate-Special-11289-01-20G/dp/B07K12KNHG/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=rx+580+8gb&qid=1571809079&sprefix=rx+580&sr=8-6

Theres not really any case fans near it at all. As i said it's in Dell 790 SFF so there isnt room to fit your finger either side of the card (Or the end) I was lucky that way. I do have a dremel, angle grinder and so on and have modded cases with custom brackets and psu shrouds and the likes before, i just dont want to really hack the cooler to bits unless i know it's going to be sufficient cooling. The motherboard doesn't have any headers either to add a fan , neither does the GPU. The card is sandwiched right up to the PSU and completely covering the other PCIE.


If you look at the card though
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GeForce-Profile-Express-Graphics/dp/B071HPN262/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1549632664&sr=8-4&keywords=1030+gt
It seems the fins on the left are probably not even needed, so I was wondering if i cut them off enough to get maybe a PCIE x1 riser cable in, then i could run that to the far side of the case and install the pcie wifi adapter and broadcom card. (Want airdrop/continuity functionality)

https://www.amazon.com/Pin-Slimline-SATA-Power-Cable/dp/B0056OA8ZW does this look like the connector in OP’s photo? I’m pretty sure it is. Not 100% though.

https://www.amazon.com/XSPC-Single-4-Pin-Connector-4-pack/dp/B00TMR8HC0/


Closest I could find. I didnt see any that were using the 3 pin fan connectors.

It would be an easy DIY project. I would cut the 3 pin wire off an old fan, wire that to a resistor and an LED and call it a day.

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Thanks. I think I would have to strip the LED strip to attach it to the controller unless I purchased something like this.

Something like this seems ideal.

If you already have some sort of fan cover/grill laying around, you could just make it catch dust by cutting up a nylon stocking stretching a bit across the back before mounting.

LOVE it. looks awesome and I think the effort really paid off.

my only question is, where did you buy the mount for the GPU? Not the PCI Extension cable, the part where it mounts the case.

edit: found it. but where did you buy it?

edit 2: oh, fuck me, it's on Amazon, now. a few months ago, you'd be luck if you got the notification from coolermaster before they sold out. I though I'd come back and leave the link incase someone else wanted it

If its power, then its a mini sata power for like, slim BR drives and whatnot.

You can get an adapter like this if you need it.

https://www.amazon.com/Pin-Slimline-SATA-Power-Cable/dp/B0056OA8ZW

Just look up " (fan size) fan filter"
There's 120mm on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036WTDHK/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/185-8997632-1294127?fp=1&pc_redir=1427235805

Thank yea, I had a blast actually doing it. the mount is made by Coolermaster.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071P862G1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought mine off ebay. Looks like they're either not selling right now or out of stock. I don't see it listed on their site so they may have discontinued.

There's this one though.

https://www.amazon.com/Graphics-Support-Holder-custom-Gaming/dp/B01DQK7DDW

Non-mobile: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036WTDHK/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/185-8997632-1294127?fp=1&pc_redir=1427235805

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