The Concept:

The plan is to break away from traditional aesthetics while tipping my hat to a generation of forward thinkers. I strive to create something that goes beyond “standard” ideas and instead pursue this project inspired by layout, location, and function. Frank Lloyd Wright’s mentor, Louis Sullivan famously stated that, “Form follows function”. This idea is expressed by Modernisms’ tendency to have the function of a project dictate much of the design ideas. I will attempt to look through the eyes of this perspective throughout the build.

IKONiK will be my interpretation of a sleek, modern and high tech PC. It will feature the latest hardware modded into one cohesive design. I have purchased a good deal of exotic materials and finishes that will help give it the modern design cues I am looking for.


Concept Design:

The concept design for this build serves as an outline if what I want the build to look like. As the build progresses I will add some things, keep a lot from the design and change a few. This helps to assure that this build is up to my standards when its finished.
















What To Expect:

I will be using the new DARK Base Pro 900 from Be Quiet for this build. I am honored that they approached me to be the first person to mod this case. It has a lot of new features; with modularity being a big part of the design. The plan is to invert the motherboard and take advantage of the design features found throughout the case.



This build will primarily focus on modding the hardware as well as the case. My last build, “Dark Matter” was a scratch build that required hundreds of hours focused primarily on building the structure of the case. For this build I get to save that energy and focus it towards modding the case/hardware. As with all of my builds the main features tend to evolve. The build usually takes on a personality of its own during the process. I have set guidelines and a concept for this build but, it will have a lot more “freestyle” modding that I tend thrive in.


in.






EVGA:

Motherboard: Z170 Classified K

GPU: GTX 980ti Classified

Ram: Superclocked DDR4 PC4-21300 16-16-16-36 (4gbx4)




Be Quiet:

Case:
• Dark Base Pro 900 (Silver Edition)

Power Supply:
• Dark Power Pro 11 (1,200 watt)

Fans:
• 6 X 140mm PWM & 2 X 120mm Pure Wings 3 fans



CableMod:

Fully Sleeved Modular Cables:
• B-series ModFlex modular cable set (Black) w/clear laser-cut combs

Looking forward to this. Your design and ideas are quite awesome.

rjohnson11
Looking forward to this. Your design and ideas are quite awesome.

Thank you very much. There's also a lot of suprizes that I've saved for later. There will be some sweet watercooling features as well. Thanks again for checking out the log.

EVGATech_MDecker
cant wait to see the build log

Thank you very much. Your just in time for the next post.

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And so it begins:

Meet The Dark Base Pro:

The Dark Base Pro 900 case by Be Quiet has recently arrived at the shop. The case comes in black, silver or orange accents. I went with the silver Pro version. The Pro version comes with an upgraded PWM fan controller that can be controlled through your motherboard. It also has modular RGB LED strips that can easily be moved to multiple locations.

Another neat feature is the tempered glass side panel. Everything inside of the case is modular which allows you to move things to accommodate your specific needs. I will be flipping the motherboard 180 degrees for the IKONiK build. I took a few pictures right after unboxing it and the 1,200 watt Dark Power Pro 11 PSU.

The New Dark Base 900 Pro (silver edition)







Some great shots of the Be Quiet Dark Base Pro 900. These pics give you an appreciation for the work that went into this high end case. By Malik

 
Looking good.        

XrayMan
 
Looking good.        

Thank you XrayMan. I really appreciate that.

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3D Printing: Fan Grill Logos

I wanted to get started on the, “IKONiK” and “EKWB” logos I designed a couple days ago. After the logos were finished on my 3D printer I went ahead with some light clean up and applied some sandable filler. These inserts will be used on the radiator grill and rear 140mm fan.

Next up to be 3D printed is the actual fan grill that these pieces will mount to. When the new PureWings 3 fans arrive I will post some mockups of them with the grills.






PSU Arrival: (Be Quiet 1,200 Dark Power Pro 11)

The PSU from Be Quiet recently arrived at the shop. I used the same PSU on my last build and I liked it so much that I requested it again for this build. I have wanted to do a few mods to a PSU for a while now and this design will work well for the IKONiK build. Be Quiet was nice enough to throw in some awesome swag. I shall wear this shirt proudly.



PSU Mod Ideas:

The plan is to cut a window in the side of the PSU so that I can mount two-way security acrylic. This will allow people to see inside the PSU when its on but, not when its off. I will need to add a few LEDs inside the PSU for this. When the backlights are off the lpanel will look like a mirror. This is the same concept used for security in places like Vegas's Casinos.




Sleeved Cables Arrival: CableMod B-Series (black)

As with most PSU manufacturers, Be Quiet uses special modular connectors for the cables being plugged into the PSU. I have had a hard time finding pre-sleeved solutions that are specifically designed for this PSU until I came across CableMod. They sell all kinds of pre-made and custom cables solutions for a large selection of PSUs including Be Quiet. I loved the look of the cables immediately and I am very happy to have them as a sponsor of the IKONiK build.

Awesome. Already ahead of the Game!  Cant wait to see the progress and finished product!

EVGATech_EddieH
Awesome. Already ahead of the Game!  Cant wait to see the progress and finished product!

Yup. I try to anticipate whenever I can. Thanks for checkin out the build also. Talk to you soon.