Computer Cases

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris Stolworthy
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Chris Stolworthy

Ok guys I am gonna go about manufacturing my very own computer case. I have
access to all the facilities needed and then some. (It helps when your dad
has a fairly high position at the local college) Anyways anyone know of
some good sites to give pointers on this? Or recommendations of what to
include? The system will be watercooled but other than that the standard
setup. Any input is greatly appreciated.
 
Chris Stolworthy said:
Ok guys I am gonna go about manufacturing my very own computer case. I have
access to all the facilities needed and then some. (It helps when your dad
has a fairly high position at the local college) Anyways anyone know of
some good sites to give pointers on this? Or recommendations of what to
include? The system will be watercooled but other than that the standard
setup. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
although you will , apparantly, not have to actually pay for it...
chances are it would cost more to build a case from scratch than to just go
out and buy one... remember...your time is money.

at any rate building a case may turn out to be a good learning experience.
since a wide variety of commercial cases already exist...it would be best
that
you specifically do *not* seek help or look at how other people have built
cases. it's best if you design it completely by yourself.

the reasons are that :

1) that's the best way to *really* learn something
2) if you do not see how others do it...there's a chance you'll come up with
a
novel design!
 
Ok guys I am gonna go about manufacturing my very own computer case. I have
access to all the facilities needed and then some. (It helps when your dad
has a fairly high position at the local college) Anyways anyone know of
some good sites to give pointers on this? Or recommendations of what to
include? The system will be watercooled but other than that the standard
setup. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Dont have a system already?

Just take measurements of a typical sized case - w x h x d

And measure the dimensions of parts like PS, MB and where the holes
are and drives. Then make a frame that should be easy enough as long
as you have access to metal bars that are suitable. You could just cut
them and drill holes to screw the frame together.

The polishing and smoothing or shaping would be up to your taste and
the equipment you have.

Then inside the oveerall frame you need bars or platforms to mount the
drives and PS and mother board. After that you need to make a
faceplate for the front that can take the drives and buttons and
lights and then its just the back , top/bottom and sides. Then get a
hole saw and cut holes so you can put the grilles and fans.

What about wheels on the bottom ?

Take a look at some high end tube audio gear , with its polished metal
sometimes as reflective as glass, silver and gold , heavy looking
expensive and stylish metal parts and etched glass . Maybe even some
birdseye or flame maple. Maybe you can make something like that --
stunning and expensive looking.

Just make the frame flexible enough to later accept a BTX
configuration.




..
 
Chris said:
Ok guys I am gonna go about manufacturing my very own computer case. I have
access to all the facilities needed and then some. (It helps when your dad
has a fairly high position at the local college) Anyways anyone know of
some good sites to give pointers on this? Or recommendations of what to
include? The system will be watercooled but other than that the standard
setup. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hello, you have selected a very ambitious project to pursue. I am sure
you can do it, but you have a lot of work ahead of you! I am not aware
of any tutorials on the subject that will help you out.

Sheet metal is by far the easiest material from which to build a case.
The design realization is simply bringing a concept, what you want your
case to look like, to the hard data stage, ie; a drawing, a blue print,
or a sketch. There, the easy part is done. The hard part is getting it
all to fit together. Drawing in 3d using a modern cad program is the
surest way to get a good fit up. Start with a motherboard design that
you wish to use and construct two of the case sides ( actually that
would be a side and the back ) around the board, allowing clearance and
accurate locations for mounting the MOBO and all of the rear panel
connectors. Next draw in the hardware that you intend to use, allowing
for air flow, cables, and accessibility. These items would determine the
size of the case. The remaining details would be the arrangement of
slots, tabs, and fasteners to secure the case parts to each other.

Allow two weeks of hard work for the design stage before you even
think about touching a piece of metal!

Good Luck
Art Leonard
 
I agree that you are in for a learning experience. Since everything that needs
protected is already in its own container, why not try this first:

Build the system WITHOUT a case... a table or desk will work fine... just wire
everything together and hook it up. It will run just the same as in a case.
(WARNING, if you do this on a bed in your dorm, make sure sheets and stuff
don't get tangled in any fans). Seriously, this does work, and it is very
simple to add/remove something too.
 
Chris Stolworthy said:
Ok guys I am gonna go about manufacturing my very own computer case. I have
access to all the facilities needed and then some. (It helps when your dad
has a fairly high position at the local college) Anyways anyone know of
some good sites to give pointers on this? Or recommendations of what to
include? The system will be watercooled but other than that the standard
setup. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Well, you could always do something like this!

www.g-news.ch/articles/nhp200nc/

Stupot
 
Well, you could always do something like this!

www.g-news.ch/articles/nhp200nc/

Stupot
Click to expand...

Geez thats UGLYYYYYYY.

You could put one on a briefcase or suitcase. Make a PC case out of
it.

The most ingenious one Ive seen was the coffee machine PC. The one in
WIRED and many other places . The beer keg PC and Engine PC all look
well done too though.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.10/makeover.html


However instead of a joke case or a wacky case --- Id like to see one
really crafted like I mentioned like super high end audio gear ,
particularly tube gear. You see impressive super heavy , high tech
looking machined metal or timeless heavy metal polished to a mirror
glass finish and etched glass , engraved aluminum.

The cheapo plastic looking CD and DVD drives might clash with
incredibly expensive looking polished metal on button , etched glass
in the side panels and rich looking burnished birdseye maple in some
places along with panels and high tech aluminum panels.
 
Make sure the PSU is positioned so that the CPU is in the open and able to
exhaust it's heat. I have seen some cases that the PSU covers the CPU and
therefore isn't ventilated very well so CPU heat up is the result.
 
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