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Unread 11-30-2005, 09:34 PM   #12
maxSaleen
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Orlando, Florida
Posts: 383
Default Re: Watercooled FX-53 Guardian Case Polarflo TT

Whoa!

You need some serious cable routing help. If you have any old (very old) Maximum PCs laying around, try and find a review of a Voodoo desktop. They way that they fold their PATA cables is beautiful and effective. Buy some black ones on line for like $1 a piece (ebay). Then go with the black foam insulation, maybe sleeve your PSU (for a cheap+quick+easy alternative go to radio shack and get some plastic spiral wrap, you'll know it when you see it).

To route your cables effectively:

1. Take all the panels off of your case. All of em. Even the front.
2. Take all of the wires out of the system. All of em.
3. Sleeve as much of it as you can.
4. Formulate a plan. Look over the case and decide how many wires you need and where they should go.
5. Start with your PATA cables. Fold them as neatly as you can and try to have them run along panels of your case. The old Voodoos are great examples.
6. Next go to you system cables (Front panel connectors, USB, fans). Tuck as much as you can and tie off all of the slack that you can (zip ties or twist ties).
7. Now run your power cables. You'll find that you won't use some. Bundle those cables up, tie them off, and then either stuff them into the top 5.25" bay or above the PSU if there is any room.

Tips along the way:
1. Try to get cables to run "together" in channels. Then tie them together with zip ties. It makes for a more coherent appearance.
2. Move that RAID card to the lowest PCI slot you have available. This makes it easier to the PATA cables to run "along" the case.
3. When you fold PATA cables, use perpendicular bends, and make folds like you would with a paper airplane (pulling the edge of the paper to the other side... similar to pulling the connector across the cable so it is parallel to the wires of the cable).
4. Lose the round cables. IMHO being consistent will make it look better.
5. One hose clamp per fitting is enough. LOL!
6. Space those HDs. It will help airflow and will make cable routing easier.
7. Routing power cables to the front of the case (behind the drive cages) and then under the hard drives to the power connector can help clean things up.
8. If you don't sleve, at least take the time to twist the cables tight, and then tie them off with zip ties. It will take you five minutes to do this to every line on your PSU.

Deep breath..... Hope this helps. Learning from photos is really the easiest way. Much easier than reading my crap. Sorry I can't help you with that. Look for pictures of Voodoo's. They are the best in the buisness when it comes to cable routing.
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