Overview / Usage

Hey everybody!

I'm Bill Owen, I started Mnpctech, http://www.mnpctech.com in 2001. I started out modifying computer cases for friends into unique custom designs. Over the past 20 years I've been approached by manufacturers to build them Gaming PCs and Case Mods for giveaways, PC game releases, event marketing or displays gaming industry shows like CES, CeBIT, Computex, Comic-Con, Pax East. In 2019 I expanded Mnpctech into making custom desktop gaming PC's for Youtube and Twitch Game Live Streamers and Gaming Influencers.

I finally finished my personal workstation. I'll primarily be doing video and photo editing. I got deals on the Gigabyte OC-FORCE motherboard, 4790K and two 980Tis from friends upgrading their hardware. The rest of the components were bought on sale or Ebay. I don't need the latest and greatest hardware as I rarely have time for gaming anymore. I've performed a lot of custom modifications to this PC build. The theme was inspired by legendary PORSCHE 917. The only Gulf Porsche 917 to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans was the one driven in Steve McQueen's "Le Mans" movie. If you're a motorsports enthusiast, I highly recommend seeing this movie for vintage racing footage alone. The story line stinks, but it's really about the event and cars. There is an HD version on YouTube. Many innovations in cinematography were created while filming this movie. Steve's production company welded brackets to the front frame work of the 917, so they could mount a camera to shoot him, and the other drivers, in the cockpit.

You don't often see pastel colors used on custom PC builds, but it was important that the GULF RACING / PORSCHE LIVERY paint be authentic. We traced down the factory paint codes for the 1970 Porsche 917. The paint colors were mixed by Jim at "Auto Plus" in Bloomington, Minnesota. The EK XTX 360mm Radiator was painted the Gulf Racing Orange. The orange stripe is mirrored onto the chassis. The circle number five represents "Mastercase 5"

The gauge is a VDO 12 volt gauge from an old VW to indicate power. The main power switch is a momentary toggle switch with red safety cover which is used for ignition switch in the Porsche 917. The reset switch is Blue anodized aluminum push button. Both switches are mounted in machined aluminum mounting plate. The PSU shroud has embedded magnets, so it’s easy to remove and re-install. The paracord sleeving for the 24 pin and video card cables is “Graphite Grey” and the cable combs are machined aluminum by Mnpctech.

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Methodology / Approach

I didn't like the Cooler Master Mastercase 5 case at first. I feel the engineer missed a lot of opportunities that could have made the case even better. Especially since CM marketed it as "modular" and it’s designed for DIY liquid cooling. The Mastercase falls 40% from it's marketing pitch, but the overall build quality and finish is outstanding. It eventually won me over after dismantling and re-assembling the case. Here is my final thoughts about the Mastercase 5 case, keeping in mind that I look at cases from perspective as DIY liquid cooler and modder.

RAVES about the Cooler Master Mastercase:

Overall Build Quality, Fit & finish. Top panel / cover design options are nice. Modular HD/SSD tray design and mounting options are best to date. 240/360/280 radiator option for front is nice.

REVISIONS for the Cooler Master Mastercase

Top radiator mounting location should be offset, to clear DDR slots on some motherboards 100% Riveted chassis?! I understand using rivets over screws to save time in manufacturing, but at minimum, the mid section floor should be removable for better access. Lack of Water pump and reservoir mounting. CM's competitors started embracing DIY cooling market over year ago, by including mounting options for reservoirs and water pumps. Mastercase 5/ Pro window panel is very flimsy. The "smoked" poly window is bluish/purple and has very poor clarity for viewing inside the case. In closing, I want to stress that you can create an awesome PC build without having the bleeding edge of hardware inside.

Technologies Used

Intel Core i7-4790K 4 GHz 4-Core Processor

Gigabyte GA-Z87X Gaming Motherboard

32 GB DDR4 Corsair Dominator

Corsair Force MP500 M.2 SSD, 1 TB

Two Nvidia GTX 980 Graphics cards

Corsair RMX 850W PSU

Repository

https://www.mnpctech.com/pages/gaming-pc-build-case-mod-gallery-by-mnpctech