Thermaltake Casemod 2026 has been underway since January. It’s time for another update on the progress of my project. As a reminder, this competition pits 8 modders against each other around the same configuration. As promised, I’ll be sharing my news, successes, doubts and, above all, lessons learned with you on a regular basis. Because, from my point of view, this event is first and foremost an opportunity to learn new things and meet new people.
Casemod 2026: 3D printing
For this Casemod 2026, the use of 3D printing is mandatory to showcase the Palit Maker GPU customization system. It’s a superb proposition from Palit. At the same time, all competitors are relying heavily on printing to customize their chassis. I was planning to do just that, too, when defining the initial theme.
And it was the occasion of a new encounter in the person of Ben Retromod! A talented French modder, he’s one project after another, each more ambitious than the last. He agreed to design for me some pieces that were beyond my skills with the Nomad Sculpt software. In particular, he designed this magnificent exhaust pipe, which we printed in duplicate.
My relationship with 3D
I’m well aware of the potential of 3D printing and its creative contribution… but I don’t manage to love it in the same way as the other activities involved in PC modding: cutting, drilling, working with materials and structures. And this competition has constantly confirmed my feelings. Added to this is an unwavering determination to be different. With one exception – and what an exception it is! – The participants print and structure their mods around 3D. Of course, once sanded, painted and worked on, 3D products are superb. But when they come into direct contact with the PC, their plastic nature is very much in evidence. The Thermaltake View 600 TG is a massive chassis, a monolith. I want to keep it that way, and not turn it into a toy.
Time to choose
This brings me to a difficult choice: to install all the carefully prepared 3D parts, or to put them away in a drawer for future projects?
At present, the chassis is getting closer and closer to the post-apocalyptic look I’ve been dreaming of. The custom tank and custom buckle far exceed expectations. The real bullet holes in the chassis, the scattered shell casings, the plates of real rusted steel, the tubes dirtied with exhaust scale… this mod is adopting a style that suits me. Most of the form serves a function. At present, the 3D additions seem almost vulgar to me.
However, they bring an easy identification of the theme and an exuberant side that may please. I’ll share the final decision with you at the next update. In the meantime, feel free to discuss it on the OCC Discord and follow the progress on the Thermaltake forum.
