MaximumPC 2006 10

ririgg of the monthmonth ADVENTURES IN PC MODIFICATION Sponsored bySponsored bySponsored by

120 MAXIMUMPC OCTOBER 2006

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ALEX WILEY’S

Batman

Begins

T

here’s no mistaking the Batman logo, which is

precisely why Alex Wiley recreated the shape for

his entertainment-center case mod. He constructed

the bat from aluminum, reinforcing the silhouette with

screws studding the entire periphery. Multiple coats of

PPG automotive paint and clear coat give the case its

black lacquer fi nish, both inside and out. Inside, parts are

strategically distributed across the entire wingspan. And

because a tangle of wires coming down the back would be

akin to Batman sporting a panty line, Wiley routed all the

cables through the neck, which is made from 3/8-inch steel

tubing. Air vents on the top of the wings and a total of eight

fans keep the bat’s internals cool.

PPG automotive paint and clear coat give the case its

black lacquer fi nish, both inside and out. Inside, parts are

strategically distributed across the entire wingspan. And strategically distributed across the entire wingspan. And

because a tangle of wires coming down the back would be because a tangle of wires coming down the back would be

akin to Batman sporting a panty line, Wiley routed all the akin to Batman sporting a panty line, Wiley routed all the

cables through the neck, which is made from 3/8-inch steel cables through the neck, which is made from 3/8-inch steel

tubing. Air vents on the top of the wings and a total of eight tubing. Air vents on the top of the wings and a total of eight

fans keep the bat’s internals cool. fans keep the bat’s internals cool.

With the front

panel off, you can

appreciate the art-

ful arrangement

of parts. Above

the videocard, and

behind a mesh

screen, sits a slot-

loading optical

drive—discs enter

at the top of the

left wing.

Wiley spruced up

the hard drive cages

with logos he made

from aluminum set in

pigmented epoxy. The

semi-transparent epoxy

allows the light of 30

LEDs (in each cage!) to

shine through. POW!

For his winning entry, Alex Wiley wins a $500 gift certifi cate

for TigerDirect to fund his modding madness! See all the

hardware deals at http://www.tigerdirect.com, and turn to page

116 for contest rules.

With a wingspan of 55 inches,

the Batman Begins mod lords

over Wiley’s 40-inch LCD,

adding grandeur to whatever’s

on the screen.

ALEX WILEY’S

Begins

here’s no mistaking the Batman logo, which is here’s no mistaking the Batman logo, which is

precisely why Alex Wiley recreated the shape for precisely why Alex Wiley recreated the shape for

his entertainment-center case mod. He constructed his entertainment-center case mod. He constructed

the bat from aluminum, reinforcing the silhouette with

screws studding the entire periphery. Multiple coats of

PPG automotive paint and clear coat give the case its

month ADVENTURES IN PC MODIFICATION

Wiley rerouted the

motherboard ports

to the back of the

case, so he can

thread the cables

neatly through the

hollow steel neck.