Computer Modding
From Mod Mania
Mod Mania Essay
Topic: Personal Computer Case Modding
By Kieran Prescott
PC case modifying has evolved from the beige box modifying into a international community based activity where case modders can show their ideas and gain valuable information from experienced other modders. Case modding is all about experimentation, pushing the boundaries of Personal Computer case design. T The only way to fully understand PC case modding and the people who do it is to ask the case modders themselves.
The first forum to be asked was themodbrothers.com. Jeff aka FunkyStickman the co-owner and admin of themodbrothers.com said that “I mod because I don't want Ric to kick my butt. And I can't help tinkering with things.” (Ric M, the other co-owner and admin) Jeff sees it as a competition among friends to develop ideas and gain respect from his peers. Jeff’s curiosity of how things work and go together provides the motivation to modify PC cases and the components that make up the PC and the case. The case modding community regularly hold case modding competitions where entrants and post their case mods and get a chance to win some gear.
One of the major reasons why people case mod is to try and resolve the restrictions PC case manufactures employ to reduce cost and increase profit. “The truth is, almost every case out there is a culmination of compromises. Guys sit around and have to water down potentially great ideas, so that they can be mass produced at an affordable price. That's what it comes down to, the bottom line. Features are changed or modified to fit into some predetermined price range. Believe me, I've worked directly with NZXT on a few ideas, but ultimately saw them cut back or scaled down due the cost feasibility.” (Craig Brugger losias.net) This then makes uses mod their cases to get the performance or aesthetics that were originally watered down by the manufacture. “You can take something no matter how crap, and modify it to what it should have been in the first place.” (Craig Brugger losias.net) But the great ideas might not be what the user wants in terms of aesthetics. So the user then becomes a modder to improve on their view of the case.
This is another side of modding where the user mods the case in seeking to improve on the aesthetics. Like p0Pe from (RRTech) “years ago, I had an old boring beige computer like anyone else, and decided that it was fucking sad to look at. It was the only thing that ruined my 16 year old disco room. so green light and a lil hardcore skull! since then things escalated. Now I mod to show creativity. i enjoy sitting down thinking of new ways to do stuff, like cabling in pc-beto. But also enjoy doing stuff that only have a visual effect. For me design follows function. It has to look good, but also be practical.” This effect on user to make their PC cases more personal and better looking has its advantages for industry. “As well as adding some of your own character and style to it in the process. Modders are usually on the cutting edge of technology implementation. If you want to see what the case market has to offer 2 years from now, look at what the modders are currently doing...” (Craig Brugger losias.net) I effect case modders and case manufactures are going around in circles once one design comes out the modders then mod the design to improve it and then the case manufactures change their design again.
Pob (TMB) has a more personal approach to the way he modifies. “Partly to make the case personal and unique, not just another off the shelf pc.” And he takes it even further by saying “There is something deeply inherently psychological in the gratification of making something and the more you are involved in making it the greater the satisfaction that is gained.” And from this he recognizes and understands the dedication not of only himself but other modders put into their creations. For example Pob‘s thinking about inspirations and his true personal meaning behind modification is. “While the work of people like Bill Owen (TMB & MNPCTECH) is a great inspiration, personally I don't think I could ever commission someone like him to build me a case. Yes my efforts are never built to the same level or quality to a professional custom design, as I just don't have the resources or experience too call on, however any case I mod I modded, to spend time and money knowing at the end I will have a case that I created is the true attraction for me.” Pob (TMB) Pob understands what he and other modders are trying to achieve not only in personalization but commendation and recognition from other forum members.
But is there something more to it? “I strip and throw out beige and black boxes monthly. It's just that- most computer cases are disposable. If I'm going to spend an ungodly amount on a decent case, I might as well make it from scratch. I want something I can use my whole life, and maybe pass it on to the next generation.” Cheapskate (RRTech) Cheapskate believes there is something more to modding something personal that creates self satisfaction that no case manufacture can provide. “Part of the pleasure of modding is the collision of challenges that it provides… …It’s the main reason that I mod. The logical reasons are there too I suppose; personal expression, performance, and the desire to "one-up" the original designers.” Mach (TMB.com) Mach understands that it provides a challenge, where the user needs plan accordingly to what they want to achieve as a final result.
Mach also makes a good point. “Make magazine Maker's Owner's Manifesto starts out with the statement "If you can't open it, you don't own it." Some of that attitude exists in modder's too, "My hardware, my way". Modding is the act of making your PC truly personal (to borrow a quote from Paul Capello). And then “The reasons we mod are as diverse as the people who mod but in the end, if what you dream causes you lose hours on end, connects you to a creative 3rd rail, or confounds you with "where the hell did that come from?", then you win, mod on.” Mach (TMB.com) So modding is a natural instinct we do it to be creative and show off.
The modding community may divided by unique groups of members who believe in different views or mod different styles or types of PCs the thing is they are still all connected and can appreciate what others have made from nothing much at all. Modding has pushed the boundaries of case design so much that the manufacturing industry are supporting and using Modders. But even if the case manufacturing industry pushes ahead, it will be the modders that push it further. To sum it up borrowing a quote from Mach who borrowed it from Paul Capello (TBCS.com) "My hardware, my way" and from Mach “Modding is the act of making your PC truly personal.” This is why people mod PCs.
Refrences:
Forums used:
TBM (The Mod Brothers www.themodbrothers.com) Relevant thread: (http://themodbrothers.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2195)
RRTech (Real Red Raider Tech www.realredraider.com) Relevant thread: (http://www.realredraider.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=25001)
OCAU (Overclockers Australia www.overclockers.com.au) Relevant thread: (http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=862846)
Referenced Members:
-Jeff aka FunkyStickman, The co-owner and admin of www.themodbrothers.com
-Ric M, the other co-owner and admin of www.themodbrothers.com
-Bill Owen. Professional case modder and parts designer/manufacture/reseller www.mnpctech.com and an admin of www.themodbrothers.com
-CraigBru aka Craig Brugger. A very influential Small Form Factor Modder owner and admin of www.losias.net
- CoolMiester another very influential case modder that mainly focuses on ATX and EATX form factor modding mainly in Cooler Master Cases.
-Paul Capello famous modder and owner/admin of TheBestCaseSenario.com
SFF (Small Form Factor, smaller versions of the standard ATX PC specification limited by size constraints)
