Case Modding

Case Modding (of English. Case = case, English. Modification = change ) is primarily changing the external appearance of the PCs to the visual enhancement. It concerns mainly involves the optical processing of non-visible in normal housing components. Furthermore, the technical modification of the hardware components may be referred to as modding.

Description

In Case Modding a Plexiglas window is used for example in the side part of the panel and the PC interior illuminated with LEDs and fluorescent lamps, or install a water cooling system. Are used most visually striking materials. It has its own case modding community formed, which also performs competitions (eg DCMM - IFA Championship CASECON German Casemod Championship, GCCM - - Games Convention Casemod Masters, IFA C3). Depending on the nature and extent extensive knowledge and technical skills for the reaction are necessary for the assets.

At the " modding " (from " modify " derived Slang term ) is a big emphasis on making housing and components unique. This leads to unconventional solutions, such as beer crates or microwave ovens (see picture) as housing. Also eye-catching finishes are common.

The interior of the computer chassis may be coated, for example with eye-catching fabric, which has the color of the cold cathode. Also popular is carbon film ( ie decorative film, which has the pattern of carbon fiber reinforced plastic) as a disguise. Of course you can also paint the interior in a contrasting color to highlight it clearly.

Meanwhile, the top of the case modding scene is characterized by a high monetary and time and trying to expand the creative design options ever.

If you build his computer in a completely self- produced housing, you talk within the German modding scene of a CASECON (from " Case Construction " - housing construction ), while in the English-speaking world, the terms " Custom Computer Case " or "scratch built" be used.

Meanwhile, there are also already completed " modded " housing to buy, but these are not particularly considered at the core of the case modding community, especially since the term is inappropriate also because it is industrially produced series products and not to individual productions. Here, the term basically is extended and includes any computer case, which offer one or more of the usual ingredients Case Mods ( such as windows, lighting, LCD displays ). History is to be noted that in the late 1980s, the Commodore offered specially designed versions of the Amiga 500, for which the TV presenter Stefanie Tücking was recovered as a namesake.

Particularly fond impressive components are used as:

• Plexiglas window (Windows ) (with or without engraving )
• Cold cathode lamps (also: Cold cathode )
• LEDs
• Airflow cable
• LED fan
• Temperature Display
• Fan Controllers

The disadvantage is that These kinds altered housing no longer comply with the EMC Directive in circumstances and thus can be far-reaching for the source of high frequency radiation. Thus, they can interfere with electronic devices, networks and the radio or television reception in the area. Anyone who alters a PC is legally liable to the manufacturer and has to comply with the standards for EMC and safety.

In addition, as rebuilt computer and even more sensitive to electromagnetic interference from the outside, and thus have a significantly reduced noise immunity. In practice, this is likely but usually only occur in the vicinity of strong sources of electromagnetic radiation.

Other alternatives to the Case Modding noise reduction in personal computers can be considered. The aim here is to get through changes to the housing and the components of a computer as quiet as possible, with a water cooling system can be used.

Casemodders

As casemodders persons are referred to the so-called casemods create or Casecons. Expand their computer to features such as an infrared interface via which the complete remote control of PCs is possible, or light it with numerous LEDs, CCFLs, etc. to the complete redevelopment of housing.

Case Modding as a visual art of the present

In recent years, a part of the professional case modder has increasingly addressed the issue of art (visual arts ) and Design ( Industrial Design ), which is mainly reflected in the design and execution of case modding work. It is the goal to be the artistic aspiration and stand out from the mere change the external appearance of the PCs to the visual enhancement and to be considered as an independent art form in the field of visual arts.

While this is done under the term casemodding, but the PC is now more of an artistic and aesthetic design for pure design object whose planning and designing a larger time frame in availing than the actual design of the object ( the PC ) itself

Responsible in this "new " Case modding movement are primarily individuals who have shaped the career of the German Case Modding Scene significantly in recent years, including the multiple German Case Modding master and author Benjamin French

DCMM - German Casemod Championship

DCMM stands for German CaseMod championship. It provides case modders annual opportunity for their so-called ' mods ' to imagine and to compete with the creativity and craftsmanship of other case modders. The cases are reviewed by a panel of representatives of major case modding communities. Regardless of the visitor choose the DCMM the most spectacular creation. The DCMM applies to approximately 60 issued to 70 exhibits per event as the biggest event of the case modding scene worldwide. Since 2008, in addition to the categories Casemod and CASECON the category Mod CE ( Consumer Electronic Modified ). In this category, converted electronic devices of all kinds compete that are not PC. Since 2010 there is also next to the Categories Cases on the Move above; these are cases with as many as possible to independently moving electro-mechanical components ( sub-category of casemods, Casecons, 24std mods and mods CE )

German champions in Casemodding since the first DCMM in 2002: