Topic: Building your own case question. (Read 7728 times)

Sirgod · « **on:** November 26, 2005, 12:34:15 pm »

I've been kinda tinkering around to get the wifes old PC up and running, and I got to thinking, I might as well try my hand at building my own case. I'm thinking of going Acrylic, and someone from another site mentioned using http://www.sketchup.com/ this to design It. My question is, has anyone used this program, or anyother Software like It? Is Acrylic an OK medium to use for a custom case?

thanks guys,

Stephen

Midnight Tech · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2005, 01:09:55 pm »

Any one having problems with cases check here -> http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/case-mod/...this is the case-mod section of the site in my proflie.
Hope we can help you out Stephen!

Sirgod · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2005, 01:23:25 pm »

Thanks MT, I made a post there as well.

Stephen

Midnight Tech · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2005, 01:30:32 pm »

TY TY!
All we ask is no Bewbies please!

E_Look · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2005, 06:14:20 pm »

Case? Maybe you should ask J'inn.

FPF-SCM_TraceyG_XC · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2005, 06:34:26 am »

Aluminium is the best choice for computer case material. Lightweight, but strong enough to support everything, it has the additional advantage of offering good thermal properties for keeping the case cool (unlike plastic which does not conduct heat anywhere near as good). Aluminium also looks better and can be given a nice finish to it.

Sirgod · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2005, 09:32:47 am »

I was considering that, and I have plenty of Aluminum to work with out here, However, I was thinking Acrylics, so I could get into water cooling down the road. Outside of that, your dead on the mark Tracy.

Stephen

FPF-SCM_TraceyG_XC · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2005, 09:07:26 pm »

Myself, I'm using a Lian-Li serverr tower case, all aluminium. You can still use watercooling regardless of what case material you use (although, you cant watercool everything, so would still recommend aluminium over other materials). The Lian-Li case also has a machine finished surface on the aluminium, not as plastic looking or having the appearance of something out of a Borg ship like some Thermaltake cases (lol). I do have a perspex side window though.

Do remember though, that while watercooling is better than air cooling (since air cooling relies on the air temperature itself to be cool enough, which is why aluminium works so well, because it conducts heat from the air inside the case), there are other alternatives.

Heat pipe technology has become very popular in computer cooling. Essentially, a heat pipe works just like a refridgerator without any moving parts. The heat pipe (which looks just like a normal solid pipe in appearance) contains a liquid which boils at the operating temperature of the CPU. Liquid in the pipe close to the CPU changes phase from a liquid to a gas, thus absorbing latent leat. If you recall your high school chemistry, in order for a liquid to change phase into a gas, it must absorb energy from the environment. This principal is used to make refidgerators cold. The gas then rises up the pipe to a radiator with a fan, where the gas cools and condenses back into a liquid. The reverse phase transition from a gas back to a liquid releases the stored latent heat, and the liquid then falls back down the pipe to the CPU again. The thermal properties of a heat pipe are 2000 times greater than a normal solid copper pipe, requires no maintenance or electricity to operate, and has no moving parts to break down. It was originally designed for spacecraft where power and space are at a premium, but the technology is finding applications in other fields.

I have a Gigabyte 120mm radiator fan on my CPU that uses 4 heat pipes to connect to the CPU. At idle, my CPU runs at 24C, and I have not seen it go over 37C under load. Mind you, I also have 6 other chassis fans moving all that hot air out of the case, which as previously mentioned is all aluminium. The larger the case, the better for cooling it is too. Hope this helps

Sirgod · « **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2005, 09:26:29 pm »

LOL, I have a thermalTake case myself.

One thing I'm also considering , Is Making a Frame like the NCC-1701, and using the saucer section to hold the MB, CD-rom etc, and the Bottem part for the HD. Don't know yet, But I might try and plan It out.

I just want to do something differant this time around.

Stephen

PS. thanks for the suggestions Tracy.

FPF-SCM_TraceyG_XC · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2005, 02:02:05 am »

No dount you've checked out some of the case modding websites... I saw a good one once where they installed a touch screen to the front of the case and it was used like a diagnostic tool... played video and everything.. lol. You could get the same effect by attaching a PocketPC to the front (without its case and embedding it).

Would love to see the final product!

E_Look · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2005, 10:10:30 am »

Yow! Lian Li?? One of their cases costs more than either my CPU or video card or motherboard(... or all three combined)!

If I had to build myself a new computer, I'd get what I got my kids- one of the Raidmax W series (Astro they call it?) simple cases with a side window... the version that DOES NOT come with a PSU. They are simple, steel, allow sufficient cooling air flow (given that you utilize ALL the air holes; in my more expensive but older Codegen case, I had to drill a extra fan port on the side panel), come in some really nice bright basic, almost primary Star Treky TOSish colors (one boy got Borg green, the other Starfleet blue... me? I'd opt for photon torpedoed K-D7 explosion plasma yellow

) and they're really cheap, like $25-35 USD cheap!

(Did I mention they were cheap?

)

FPF-SCM_TraceyG_XC · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2005, 12:35:04 pm »

True, the Lian Li server tower case I bought when building my computer was the single most expensive item, and does not come with a power supply! However, computer parts will come and go, and given the flexibility and engineering of the case, I figured I could still be using it in 10 years time (even if everything else has been replaced), so thought the cost to be justified.

Commander Maxillius · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2005, 06:34:28 pm »

I have an old TRS-80 model III case in the garage that I plan to use if I ever decide to build a PC. The plan is for a 15-inch LCD to go where the 9-inch B&W was. I know I'll have to be creative with mounting but there's plenty of space and the airholes all face up and the room to mount like 5 fans side by side. I'll probably have to cut an air intake closer to the bottom either in back, in front, or both.

I'm going to paint it too, just need to figure out what color.

E_Look · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2005, 11:44:20 pm »

Will one of today's motherboards fit properly in such an old case?

Commander Maxillius · « **Reply #14 on:** December 06, 2005, 01:28:44 am »

Not with the existing hardware, but I know i have to drill new holes to mount anything in it. Also, seeing as how I tossed everything that was in there, I don't have to worry about getting 1980 mounting hard ware to work with 2005+ tech.

Physically, however, it's cavernous!!! There's about as much room as a tower in there. Also, the flat-panel monitor takes up a fraction of what was provided for the original tube. The holes for the 5.25in floppy drives are big enough for two modern 5.25 in CD drives each, in addition to the space between the holes wich I'd use for hard disks.

I'm debating on wheter or not to put a keyboard in the space provided for it, and if I did I could use a laptop keyboard and put a trackpad where the original number pad was. If I didn't, I could cut that part off and leave a the hole with a grate for more ventilation.

When I start the project I'll post pictures.

E_Look · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2005, 08:49:18 am »

Don't forget the phaser controls and photon torpedo launch triggers.

Sirgod · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2005, 09:34:42 am »

Quote from: E_Look NCC-9091 on December 06, 2005, 08:49:18 am

Don't forget the phaser controls and photon torpedo launch triggers.

Hey Bro, Mine will have a key just for Magic Photons.

Stephen

Commander Maxillius · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2005, 03:17:11 pm »

Quote from: E_Look NCC-9091 on December 06, 2005, 08:49:18 am

Don't forget the phaser controls and photon torpedo launch triggers.

AH HA!! THAT'S WHAT I'LL PUT THERE!!! I'll take a standard keyboard and make a cover for it that has all the hotkeys for SFC and make the cover so that it looks TMP-movie-era computer-ish.

T' Kang · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2005, 03:33:26 pm »

I would agree with Tracey. I am using a WaveMaster, but did add an acrylic window to watch the Klingon parts glow...

E_Look · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2005, 10:30:24 pm »

Klingon parts??

Commander Maxillius · « **Reply #20 on:** December 07, 2005, 09:31:58 am »

Quote from: E_Look NCC-9091 on December 06, 2005, 10:30:24 pm

Klingon parts??

probably just red lights and the case probably has many scratches and dents to simulate a real live Klingon actually owned it and ran WinME on it

T' Kang · « **Reply #21 on:** December 07, 2005, 08:08:45 pm »

Close... Klingon Parts, Fed parts, Rommie Parts, they are all built in China...

Nemesis · « **Reply #22 on:** December 07, 2005, 08:38:59 pm »

Quote from: Maxillius NCC-13443 on December 07, 2005, 09:31:58 am

probably just red lights and the case probably has many scratches and dents to simulate a real live Klingon actually owned it and ran WinME on it

That is just wrong. Klingon's on occasion may be sadistic but never masochistic.

T' Kang · « **Reply #23 on:** December 08, 2005, 03:06:29 pm »

The reality is that the case has a soft-core klingon theme. There has been a little laser cutting and embossing done. The blue led's on the system have been replaced with red ones. Such as; the vga, keyboard, etc. had blue leds, they are now red. Fasteners (screws) that were all types are all now TriWing heads. But I do like the base WaveMaster. I have good airflow. The hassle I have is that the system can crank out more heat than I can get rid of in the smaller room wher I work. The A/C system was build up for this to be a bedroom, not a "computer-server" room. If I were building an other sys I might look at the CM Stacker for "use" and the WaveMaster by the entertainment center in the living room...

As your keyboard thoughts... or other custom ideas... Laser cutting out of the budget? There are endless possibilities with the vinyl graphics that can be printed.

Commander Maxillius · « **Reply #24 on:** December 09, 2005, 04:14:32 pm »

Quote from: IKV Nemesis on December 07, 2005, 08:38:59 pm

Quote from: Maxillius NCC-13443 on December 07, 2005, 09:31:58 am
probably just red lights and the case probably has many scratches and dents to simulate a real live Klingon actually owned it and ran WinME on it

That is just wrong. Klingon's on occasion may be sadistic but never masochistic.

I didn't say he did it on purpose

The dents are from beating the crap out of it when it crashed upon booting for the 15th time in a row.

T' Kang · « **Reply #25 on:** December 10, 2005, 01:50:52 pm »

LOL.. After 10+ BIOS re-writes, and one VGA BIOS rewrite... There have been thoughts about using the BFH (Big F Hammer) at times... Now to get the Air Filter built up and exhaust ported "outside."

E_Look · « **Reply #26 on:** December 10, 2005, 06:22:43 pm »

Hee hee hee...

... you must know my son, whose rig, built by yours truly, crashes on him three to thirty times in a row, often within as short as a one or two hour period.

But he'd better not put any "Klingon grafitti" on the case; he'd lose his computer privileges until his grandchildren build him another one.

Besides, his is a blue Raidmax basic box with blue LED fans and red LEDS somewhere on the motherboard, making it a Starfleet vessel.

SkyFlyer · « **Reply #27 on:** December 12, 2005, 11:17:06 am »

I have NEVER had problems with Windows ME.. and I ran it for five years.

IAF Lyrkiller · « **Reply #28 on:** December 14, 2005, 08:34:33 am »

Quote from: SkyFlyer on December 12, 2005, 11:17:06 am

I have NEVER had problems with Windows ME.. and I ran it for five years.

I ran WinME longer then you and had problems w/ peer-to-peer networking.

I then upgraded my syst and it now runs XP and no problems what so ever.

Darth Sidious · « **Reply #29 on:** December 14, 2005, 09:05:19 am »

While i dont reccomend WinME - i found if the laptop is DESIGNED for WinME, it runs similar to 98... ie tolerably.

500mhz HP pavillion, 64meg ram. runs like a charm till i overload it with programs running - my own fault.

Have had very little problems with it. Still... i'm glad to not have it as my primary machine anymore. 64meg ram bites.

Quote from: Keyn'gIy on December 14, 2005, 08:34:33 am

Quote from: SkyFlyer on December 12, 2005, 11:17:06 am
I have NEVER had problems with Windows ME.. and I ran it for five years.
I ran WinME longer then you and had problems w/ peer-to-peer networking.
I then upgraded my syst and it now runs XP and no problems what so ever.

SkyFlyer · « **Reply #30 on:** December 14, 2005, 06:02:42 pm »

I wouldn't reccomend ME over XP either....

But it isn't a piece of crap like most people say it is.

You might need to tweak it a little bit, but after that it runs very smoothly.

I upgraded to XP because some games nowdays don't support 98/ME

Dash Jones · « **Reply #31 on:** December 14, 2005, 07:44:31 pm »

64 meg Ram!!! Ouch...

My aunt uses an old computer with a original Pentium in it...and it has 80 megs even!!!

Darth Sidious · « **Reply #32 on:** December 15, 2005, 07:01:45 am »

Used laptop. Proprietary ram - or i'd have upgraded it myself. Wasnt about to pay 2-3x as much as normal PC100 ram costs to go to 128meg.

Still... for only 64meg ram, it did pretty well for mudding/browsing, which was all i used it for anyway

Quote from: Dash Jones on December 14, 2005, 07:44:31 pm

64 meg Ram!!! Ouch...

My aunt uses an old computer with a original Pentium in it...and it has 80 megs even!!!

Commander Maxillius · « **Reply #33 on:** December 16, 2005, 03:04:37 pm »

My sister had a Compaq designed for WinME that ran like crap until I put XP on it, then it ran fine. It's got Linux on it now and it runs better lol.

Celeron 600MHz, 256MB RAM, Mandrake 10.0 Community edition

Javora · « **Reply #34 on:** December 17, 2005, 04:03:21 pm »

I don't know if Stephen is still planning on building his own case but he might find this of interest:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1899276,00.asp

T' Kang · « **Reply #35 on:** December 18, 2005, 11:57:38 am »

Quote from: Javora on December 17, 2005, 04:03:21 pm

I don't know if Stephen is still planning on building his own case but he might find this of interest:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1899276,00.asp

Thats nice work!

Nemesis · « **Reply #36 on:** December 23, 2005, 06:42:08 am »

Quote from: Javora on December 17, 2005, 04:03:21 pm

I don't know if Stephen is still planning on building his own case but he might find this of interest:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1899276,00.asp

Another link

Sirgod · « **Reply #37 on:** December 26, 2005, 12:09:36 pm »

Quote from: Javora on December 17, 2005, 04:03:21 pm

I don't know if Stephen is still planning on building his own case but he might find this of interest:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1899276,00.asp

Thanks Javora, I'm still planning on doing It, It just might be a few months down the road.

Stephen

PS: thanks nem, that's pretty cool also.

KBF MalaK · « **Reply #38 on:** December 26, 2005, 02:51:36 pm »

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

Unlike this guys computer... upgradeable ???

Sirgod · « **Reply #39 on:** December 26, 2005, 02:53:24 pm »

Quote from: KBF-K' MalaK on December 26, 2005, 02:51:36 pm

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

Unlike this guys computer... upgradeable ???

LOL, years ago, i worked at an ACE hardware store in AZ. we sold tis product called good stuff. That mod looks like it was covered in Good Stuff.

Stephen

Midnight Tech · « **Reply #40 on:** December 26, 2005, 07:27:46 pm »

Bet he don't worry about expansion boards coming loose! Can't run too cool though....

Nemesis · « **Reply #41 on:** February 05, 2006, 04:04:53 pm »

A very special case design for Stephen

Sirgod · « **Reply #42 on:** February 05, 2006, 04:10:36 pm »

Quote from: IKV Nemesis on February 05, 2006, 04:04:53 pm

A very special case design for Stephen

Sold me on the first PAge.

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #43 on:** February 05, 2006, 04:12:09 pm »

Quote from: Stephen NCC -73070 on February 05, 2006, 04:10:36 pm

Quote from: IKV Nemesis on February 05, 2006, 04:04:53 pm
A very special case design for Stephen

Sold me on the first PAge.

Stephen

One key thing to remember. Do NOT try and build the system the same day you empty the new case.

Sirgod · « **Reply #44 on:** February 05, 2006, 04:30:55 pm »

LOL, I've had to quit the Drinking, But I still have enough of you SFC buds around to help me with the Case... Literaly.

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #45 on:** February 05, 2006, 04:36:37 pm »

Quote from: Stephen NCC -73070 on February 05, 2006, 04:30:55 pm

LOL, I've had to quit the Drinking, But I still have enough of you SFC buds around to help me with the Case... Literaly.

Stephen

You'll have to get Stormbringer to help you on this one as I never started drinking. I am the token the Klingon Teetotaler.

Midnight Tech · « **Reply #46 on:** February 05, 2006, 04:41:51 pm »

Quote from: Stephen NCC -73070 on February 05, 2006, 04:30:55 pm

LOL, I've had to quit the Drinking, But I still have enough of you SFC buds around to help me with the Case... Literaly.

Stephen

Don't start again with all those new pups in the house!
BTW Javora, that's an interesting looking case mod!
I've got a mod in mind butI've got to get all the goodies together for it first!

Sirgod · « **Reply #47 on:** February 05, 2006, 04:44:08 pm »

Quote from: IKV Nemesis on February 05, 2006, 04:36:37 pm

Quote from: Stephen NCC -73070 on February 05, 2006, 04:30:55 pm
LOL, I've had to quit the Drinking, But I still have enough of you SFC buds around to help me with the Case... Literaly.

Stephen

You'll have to get Stormbringer to help you on this one as I never started drinking. I am the token the Klingon Teetotaler.

LOL, yeah I need to get his Butt down here for a visit sometime soon. I miss that big lug.

Quote from: Midnight Tech on February 05, 2006, 04:41:51 pm

Quote from: Stephen NCC -73070 on February 05, 2006, 04:30:55 pm
LOL, I've had to quit the Drinking, But I still have enough of you SFC buds around to help me with the Case... Literaly.

Stephen
Don't start again with all those new pups in the house!
BTW Javora, that's an interesting looking case mod!
I've got a mod in mind butI've got to get all the goodies together for it first!

Hehe, I'm still on a puppy high this afternoon. then again, I'm a huge animal lover, and will soon be having to come up with a good name for three lil' Girls.

Stephen

E_Look · « **Reply #48 on:** February 05, 2006, 06:53:17 pm »

Guys, if you're really in a hurry, just give me the insides and you keep the "case".

News:

Topic: Building your own case question. (Read 7728 times) var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};

Topic: Building your own case question. (Read 7728 times)