B2G: Can you tell us about yourself?
Andrew: I’m Andrew Lee Adanza, 26 years old. I am an IT graduate from De La Salle University – Dasma. I worked in the IT industry for 6 years as a programmer/developer/server and network specialist. In the modding world, I introduce myself as Arcis Modz. I’ve been modding for several years but only for my own pc. I don’t have the courage to share my work coz I’m a bit shy until a year ago. I consider myself a freshman in the modding industry.
B2G: How did you come-up with your modder name?
Andrew: Honestly, I’m not the one who thought of my modder name, it is my friend (shout out to Elimar, my buddy in Malaysia). Actually, there is a bit of story behind it. I have a page before named Nex-Gen PC Modz where I sell modding tools and stuffs. I did not maintain that page properly and after a while, it became a mess. So I decided to put it down and make a new page and ask Eli to help. He is focusing on the letter “A” to be the start of the name because when I build project Alpha (my first project in Malaysia), I already made a logo which is a letter “A”. At that time, I really don’t care where the word came from or what’sthe meaning of it. My only goal is to think of a word that is easy to remember and sounds cool. He came up with Arcis, a Latin word which means Fortress. For me, it’s easy to remember and sounds cool so I end up using it.
B2G: What was your inspiration in joining the modding community?
Andrew: Well, I’ve been into pc for about 6 years or so. At first, building a gaming rig was only my goal at that time. But as time passes by, my love for PC grew. One time, I was browsing the internet searching all about hardware and I saw this Philippine forum site called TPC. I saw a thread there that is all about modding. Since I love “DIY”, from then and there I was hooked up to modding and became an enthusiast. I research about pc case modding and went to images and there, I see lots of pc mods. So what I did is I ask my friends who has a spare generic case to give it to me so I can practice modding and started to research on how and what are the tools needed in modding. That‘s how it all begin.
B2G: What was your first project?
Andrew: I’ve done lots of case mod before, it’s not really a mod, more on side panel cutting. LOL. Well, my first finished project is Cube-X which is an entry on the CM Case Mod World Series 2015 and I am proud to say that………………………………………. I lost. LOL. But seriously, even though I lost, I’m still proud because this project open up the door of sponsorship. Corsair Malaysia, Intel Malaysia and Bitfenix Malaysia sponsored this project.
When you look into it, there is nothing special with cube – x. The only thing that is different on this case is that the liquid/coolant pass in the case itself (bottom part of the case, psu shroud, front panel, top panel).
B2G: Do you have any particular routines in modding?
Andrew: Actually, I have.
- Planning
- Stare at the monitor(sketch up)
- Think of a design/concept
- Draw a rough sketch
- Make a 3d model/sketch up
- Modding
- Be in a good mood.
- Print the plan/dimension
- Start modding
- Scrap the plan/design coz better idea came up
- Back to planning/designing(sketch up)
- Back to modding
I always end up trashing my first idea because while I work, a better/crazy idea always came up.
B2G: What are your top 3 best mods and what was the idea behind the mod?
Well I’m a freshman in the modding world and actually, I only have 3 major mods. I will categorize them base on their role in my modding career. Well actually, it’s also the sequence of which mod I did first. LOL
1st is Cube – X. Cube-X because it’s Cube with Xtra ordinary loop. It opens up the door of sponsorship. An entry in the 2015 CM Case Mod World Series. Thank you Corsair Malaysia for the SSD and lightbar kit, Bitfenix Malaysia for the cable extensions and Intel Malaysia for the i7-4970k, for supporting this project.
2nd is Buyangyang. Buyangyang is a tagalog term meaning “in the open”. As you can see, all parts are exposed, even the liquid cooling. It was designed to display all computer components of a computer. It open up the door of MSI for the Motherboard and Graphics card, Plextor for the SSD, Avexir for the RAM, Thermaltake for the PSU and water-cooling. Again, I would like to say thank you guys for your usual support. I love you. Mwah. 😀
3rd is Apocalypse. Apocalypse because it’s something cool and represent destruction. It was featured in FHM Philippines, (dang I hope I was in the picture, too).
This project was used to introduce the Z170 series motherboard of MSI.
B2G: What difficulties and challenges did you encounter in modding and how did you surpassed them?
Andrew: For me, measurement or dimension guessing for planning. I know you can see the dimensions of hardware over the internet, but it’s still best for me to have all those hardware in real life (in front of you) and try the actual fitting/testing fit on the case. Sometimes I do crazy ideas and I need to test it first before I execute that idea because it can f’ed the placing of other hardware or that crazy idea is not applicable due to dimension constraint.
B2G: Can you tease us with your upcoming project?
Andrew: Not much to tease since I post logs on forums and faceboook on the status of my project. Maybe just to give you an idea. Here is the banner and link of the project.
B2G: Do you have any modders to look up to?
Andrew: All moddersJ. I love to see case mod/PC mod. The hardship, passion, blood and sweat of every modder to have a finish masterpiece is something I look up to. But there is this small group of modders who are crazy, kind and daring who is always behind you, pushing you to danger, LOL. Kidding aside, even though most of us haven’t met yet (those 300 messages back reads), those crazy-stupid-cheating ideas, tips and tricks. Salute to you my modding brothers.
Shoutout to:
Mickee Boy Lacena(Left) & Andrew Lee(Right)
B2G: Do you have a message to aspiring modders and to the B2G community?
Andrew: For the aspiring and freshmen modders like me, I would say that:
[signoff icon=”quote-circled”]
Always enjoy what you are doing (your mod project). If you hear criticism, take it positively, it will help you grow as a modder.
Always enjoy what you are doing (your mod project). If you hear criticism, take it positively, it will help you grow as a modder.[/signoff]
[signoff icon=”quote-circled”]
Modding is not about the hardware you use, it’s not about liquid cooling, it’s all about the art, passion, dedication you put in every project you make.
[/signoff]Thank you sir Andrew Lee for accepting our Interview! We hope that you may continue to inspire others in the modding industry!
1 Comment
Idol Andrew!