A toy car, a household item, or simply things scavenged from industrial waste can all become a computer case. For “modders”, a computer is not just a work tool.
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The car-computer. Photo: ITConnect. |
“Mod case” or “case modding” refers to the practice among computer enthusiasts of modifying or custom-making a computer case according to their unique design, or simply to enhance usability while working. This hobby is quite popular among tech enthusiasts worldwide and has only recently emerged in Vietnam. The community of modders is still small, often interacting on technology forums such as Amtech-VN.com, VozForum.com, or Xtremevn.com.
“Computer enthusiasts typically fall into two categories: those who buy high-end products and those who create unique pieces“, said Vu Thanh Cong, director of XSoft Game Company, which specializes in selling modding materials in Hanoi. “Generally, high-end products are expensive, primarily aimed at those with high incomes. Some cases can cost hundreds of USD compared to the usual 10-20 USD at computer stores. In return, they are beautifully designed and come with space for additional components, so they require less time to fashion. Creating unique pieces involves crafting from start to finish, which is very time-consuming and labor-intensive. This style is more suited to creative young people with good skills“.
According to modders, about four years ago, a person named Phuong “PC Toys” (Hanoi) created a completely wooden computer case inlaid with mother-of-pearl, shaped like a traditional cabinet. This is considered one of the first handcrafted cases in Vietnam. Unfortunately, this case traveled to Germany with a customer of Phuong’s, and the author no longer has any photos of it.
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The “Nuclear Power Plant” model. Photo: ITConnect. |
A well-known computer among modders today is the Nuclear Power Plant model by Nguyen Thuy Linh (Hanoi), who recently won first prize at the Crazy PC modding contest last June.
“I started working on that case before I even had a computer. At that time, I was too broke, so I thought I would make my own case. But by the time I could afford a computer, the case was still not finished“, Linh said.
This fourth-year architecture student at Hanoi University recounted that he often went with friends to an industrial waste site in Bac Ninh to scavenge materials for his build. The first reason is that it’s easy to find unique items there. The second is that buying from the waste site is cheap. However, everything brought home has to be “crafted” again to be usable. After six months of “construction”, Linh’s Nuclear Power Plant took shape from the gathered materials. Despite saving costs, the total spent on “miscellaneous purchases” for the case amounted to over 3 million VND.
Also owning a one-of-a-kind computer, Nguyen Trong Hung (Hanoi) shared that he modified his case according to his work needs. Known in the gaming community as Hung Warcraft for distributing CD keys for this game across the North and South, he frequently has to swap hard drives to retrieve data. Therefore, Hung decided to redesign almost the entire case, converting the hard drive mount to a horizontal slide.
“My case is definitely not beautiful, but I love it because I made it from start to finish. I invested only 100,000 VND and spent a week tinkering with it, and it’s very convenient for my work“, Hung enthusiastically shared. He mentioned he is currently redesigning the front panel of his case with images from the game Warcraft III.
The Craft of Modding
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Ready for assembly and disassembly. Photo: H.H. |
In categorizing, computer case modders can be divided into three groups. The first group is “part swappers,” who buy expensive pre-made cases and then purchase additional components to install. Well-known brands for modding accessories like Thermaltake and CoolerMaster have representatives distributing their products in Vietnam. From cases specifically designed for modding to uniquely shaped screws, reflective cables for computer decoration, there’s even colored coolant for water cooling that changes shades under ultraviolet light. This group of players is not very large due to the high cost of cases and high-end components.
The second group requires more effort, creating a computer case entirely from raw materials like bamboo and wood. Such works are very special and demand design creativity and mechanical skills from the modders. This is the most professional and challenging style, and it is not widely practiced in Vietnam due to a lack of materials and tools.
Another group seeks to save costs by modifying old cases according to their designs. Old server cases are particularly favored by modders because of their large size, providing ample space to “show off” inside. Old server cases are typically sold for around 100,000 VND each. They already have slots and screw holes according to standard specifications for mounting motherboards and peripherals. Modders only need to modify the “front panel,” add lights, rearrange cables, and supplement fans to create a grand computer case that is “one of a kind.”
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Special components for modders. Photo: H.H. |
Most “experts” in the modding community agree that this third style, which is economical, is currently the most popular in Vietnam due to its compatibility with economic and technical conditions. Players can gradually “upgrade” their cases according to their means. The first step is simply to remake the side windows of the computer case using acrylic, add lights, cooling fans, etc.
Progressing to more complex designs requires players to possess several skills. First, one must have an industrial design mindset to arrange components like motherboards, chips, and fans in a special space while ensuring easy airflow for cooling. Additionally, mechanical skills play a crucial role in executing designs as each computer component has its own standards. This is especially important in conditions where specialized tools are lacking.
“When starting out in modding, consulting forums is very necessary. There are many foreign websites that meticulously guide every step from beginners to completing a product, such as Bit-Tech.com, FrozenCpu.com, or SideWinderComputer.com“, Cong said.
According to Cong, the modding movement in Vietnam is still in its early stages. Most modded machines are simply repainted, have doors redrawn, play with lights, and install cooling fans and special power supplies into existing cases, without producing truly impressive works. Even the model by Thuy Linh, which won first prize at Crazy PC, did not meet the requirements for cable management inside the case, although Linh’s design and ideas were outstanding.
The creator of the first inlaid wooden case believes that the most important thing is to have an idea to develop. “Despite the challenges with materials and tools, if one has a unique idea, it is still possible to create products that can compete with foreign ones“, Phuong stated. He mentioned he is currently working on a new project to integrate a computer into his scooter, which he expects to complete by October.
Ha Thao
