From July 22nd through July 25th, computer enthusiasts descend on the Bilbao Exhibition Centre for Spain’s oldest, large scale computer/LAN party-Euskal Encounter 2006. According to the event’s Web site, Euskal Encounter 2006 was prepared for more than 5,700 attendees with a network for over 3,500 computers, a 2 Gbps Internet connection, and over 35,000 square meters of floor space in the Bilbao Exhibition Centre.
While attending Euskal Encounter 2006, Webshots member katxikamo, snapped pictures from the show floor and captured dozens of serious computer case mods. From aliens to aluminum cases, these wild mods are definitely not your everyday computer cases.
Compiled and captions by Bill Detwiler
© Webshots – katxikamo
Even at night the party keeps going. Break out the coffee and caffeinated sodas.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This alien PC mod is almost certainly inspired by H.R. Giger’s famous extraterrestrial xenomorph designed for Ridley Scott’s sci-fi, thriller Alien.
© Webshots – katxikamo
The alien mod includes a smaller model of the Xenomorph “facehugger”–the first stage of the fictional alien’s life-cycle.
© Webshots – katxikamo
The PC case’s mesh grill side and liquid-cooling system should keep this alien nicely chilled.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This alien is ready to chomp down on a few DVDs and CDs.
© Webshots – katxikamo
From the back, you can clearly see the liquid cooling lines running from the PC to the external radiator.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This head of this machine towers over the LCD screen next to it.
© Webshots – katxikamo
Another extreme mod, this red dragon definitely catches your eye.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This machine’s clear side let’s you see into the belly of the beast.
© Webshots – katxikamo
The machine’s red lighting increases the dramatic effect.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This silver sphere is definitely one of the more unusual PC mods I’ve seen.
© Webshots – katxikamo
A blue glow emanates from between the silver bowls.
© Webshots – katxikamo
With the silver case open, we can see the hardware inside.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This totally tubular mod puts square PC components into a round case.
© Webshots – katxikamo
The hard drives are externally mounted to the tube’s frame and each has its own cooling fan.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This machine’s blue lights are a nice touch.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This black briefcase mod might be even cooler than the aluminum briefcase.
© Webshots – katxikamo
© Webshots – katxikamo
The lights make the controls easy to see in the dark and they just look really cool.
© Webshots – katxikamo
The controls really stand out with the multicolor lights.
© Webshots – katxikamo
The clear side shows off more than just the panel lights.
© Webshots – katxikamo
If your rig has lights, a clear side panel is almost a must-have item.
© Webshots – katxikamo
Judging from the very large ducts, I assume airflow is not a problem for this PC case.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This blue cube case has a control panel on top and handle for easy carrying.
© Webshots – katxikamo
Another blue tower case with a clear side panel and lighted fans
© Webshots – katxikamo
Just like Wonder Woman’s invisible jet, you can see right through this totally clear PC case.
© Webshots – katxikamo
Judging from the machine’s markings, the owner is a definite Half-Life 2 fan.
© Webshots – katxikamo
I’m not sure if the clear box on top of this machine’s case is a power supply or part of a liquid cooling system.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This PC case is clear, except for the yellow face plate and silver front. The lights add a nice touch.
© Webshots – katxikamo
This machine sports two huge heat sinks and a fan between them.
© Webshots – katxikamo
A very clean looking red and black tower case with clear side panels
© Webshots – katxikamo
The fan on this baby looks like the front of a jet engine.
© Webshots – katxikamo
© Webshots – katxikamo
The reservoir for this machine’s liquid cooling system is a long cylinder attached to the machine’s back–functional and cool looking.
© Webshots – katxikamo
A close up shot of the machine’s liquid cooling system
© Webshots – katxikamo
What else would you do with a bunch of empty water bottles and pizza boxes, but build a tower.
© Webshots – katxikamo
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Previously, Bill was an IT manager in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.
