[PC Build Log] Fractal 1337+

After partially completing the last pc case mod I completed Cooler Master Cosmos S Meet AMD, I have got the modding bug. When I moved my hardware into the Cosmos S it freed up my Fractal Design Arc XL Full Performance Tower which I reviewed here.

One of the biggest mistakes I made with the last build was assuming there was a host of white motherboards on the market…oh boy how I was wrong. This time I had a think about the most common motherboard combinations on the market, after some research I come up with these:

3 Most common motherboard color combinations

1. Black & Red
2. Black & Yellow
3. Black & Blue

While red is a little cliché as a PC color right now with manufacturers over-using red like it’s never going out of fashion, I felt red would be a great base color despite that given the host of red motherboards. Considering the Arc XL is black as standard I decided on Black, Red and White for this project.

Fractal 1337+ Updates

Here’s What Fractal Design’s Arc XL looked like before any work

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Arc XL: Preparation

As with before, quality preparation makes the rest of the job easier and the finish superior. All Panels received a good sanding as well as getting cleaned ready for priming.

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Unlike the Cosmos S, the internal color scheme I had choosen required me to remove the motherboard tray which is turn meant I had to take the top section off the case as well. Doing this required me to drill out the rivets so I could separate the panels from each other ready for spraying.

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Tip: To remove rivets, just take a small drill piece and gently drill through the middle. Once through, the rivet should easy pull out.

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Arc XL: Top Coat

Due to time constraints of the earth spinning on its axis and day light fast fading, I didn’t get as many pictures as I would have liked (no full case shots being primed).

There was also a few mistakes on my behalf which resulted in more wasted time waiting for paint to dry before it could be sanded and refinished.

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The side panels proved the most testing, they kept producing a powdery chalk like finish, so had to spend more time sanding parts down and refinish them off, however – looking great now!

Arc XL: Putting it back together

To start I used a riveting gun to re-install the motherboard tray.

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Re-install the top section and re-install the Arx XL I/O Panel as well as re-install all the PC case plastics and get it resembling a case again!

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I have run out of the red top coat so need to grab some more. I plan to finish off the final panels and get them lacquered tomorrow. Once complete I will update this build log!