Tech Industry

Wild computer mods from Euskal Encounter 2006

By // August 25, 2006, 6:31 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Euskal Encounter 2006

    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

  • Night time

    Even at night the party keeps going. Break out the coffee and caffeinated sodas.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Alien PC mod

    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

  • Alien PC mod: Front

    The system is still being put together.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Alien PC mod: Right side

    The alien mod includes a smaller model of the Xenomorph "facehugger"--the first stage of the fictional alien's life-cycle.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Alien PC mod: Left side

    The PC case's mesh grill side and liquid-cooling system should keep this alien nicely chilled.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Alien PC mod: Mouth drive

    This alien is ready to chomp down on a few DVDs and CDs.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Alien PC mod: Top

    That's one tall PC case.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Alien PC mod: Back

    From the back, you can clearly see the liquid cooling lines running from the PC to the external radiator.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Alien PC mod: Back tall

    This head of this machine towers over the LCD screen next to it.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Red dragon PC mod

    Another extreme mod, this red dragon definitely catches your eye.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Red dragon PC mod: Right side

    This machine's clear side let's you see into the belly of the beast.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Red dragon PC mod: Lights

    The machine's red lighting increases the dramatic effect.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Silver sphere PC mod

    This silver sphere is definitely one of the more unusual PC mods I've seen.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Silver sphere PC mod: Lights

    A blue glow emanates from between the silver bowls.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Silver sphere PC mod: Open

    With the silver case open, we can see the hardware inside.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Blue tube PC mod

    This totally tubular mod puts square PC components into a round case.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Blue tube PC mod: Hard drives

    The hard drives are externally mounted to the tube's frame and each has its own cooling fan.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Blue tube PC mod: Front

    A clear front let's you see inside the tube.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Blue tube PC mod: Removing the front cover

    Removing the front panel

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Aluminum briefcase PC mod

    Looks nice and highly portable

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Aluminum briefcase PC mod: Side view

    This machine's blue lights are a nice touch.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Black briefcase PC mod

    This black briefcase mod might be even cooler than the aluminum briefcase.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Black briefcase PC mod: Close up

    The blue lights provide a nice glow.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Yellow case mod

    This yellow case's handles make the machine easy to move.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Yellow case mod: Front

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Illuminated control panel

    The lights make the controls easy to see in the dark and they just look really cool.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Illuminated control panel: Close up

    The controls really stand out with the multicolor lights.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Illuminated control panel: Side

    The clear side shows off more than just the panel lights.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Clear side panel with biohazard emblem

    If your rig has lights, a clear side panel is almost a must-have item.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Military PC mod

    This machine is ready for duty.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Blue cube mod

    Judging from the very large ducts, I assume airflow is not a problem for this PC case.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Blue cube mod: Back

    A huge fan helps keep the machine's hardware cool.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Blue cube mod: Top

    This blue cube case has a control panel on top and handle for easy carrying.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Blue case with clear side

    Another blue tower case with a clear side panel and lighted fans

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Totally clear case

    Just like Wonder Woman's invisible jet, you can see right through this totally clear PC case.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Red case with clear side panel

    Judging from the machine's markings, the owner is a definite Half-Life 2 fan.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Clear power supply mod?

    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

  • Clear power supply mod: Side?

    Green lights brighten the top box.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Clear power supply mod: Front?

    The machine's front panel is also lighted.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Clear case with yellow front

    This PC case is clear, except for the yellow face plate and silver front. The lights add a nice touch.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Fan between the heat sinks

    This machine sports two huge heat sinks and a fan between them.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • iMac mod

    I'm not sure what the small screen on this mod does.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • iMac mod: Back

    The iMac case from the back

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Red and black case with clear panels

    A very clean looking red and black tower case with clear side panels

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Black and yellow mod

    The fan on this baby looks like the front of a jet engine.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Black and yellow mod: Side

    I wonder if I can get a tan from these lights?

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Black and yellow mod: Drive open

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Black and yellow mod: Cooling system

    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

  • Black and yellow mod: Tubing

    A close up shot of the machine's liquid cooling system

    © Webshots - katxikamo

  • Bottle and box tower

    What else would you do with a bunch of empty water bottles and pizza boxes, but build a tower.

    © Webshots - katxikamo

Euskal Encounter 2006

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

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...