Strange Case Mod

[s3ppel]

Selfmade Aluminium Case

I am planning to create my own case from one of those aluminium boxes wich are used to transport larger tools or briefs, for example. They are about 40x50x40 cm. So far nobody seems to have done this before so I'm looking for good suggestions. How to mount drives? If possible I don't want to buy an extra case just to rip it appart. How to install the Mobo? I have seen boxes where it would be possible just to screw it into the bottom, but it might not work with all boxes. Maybe those plexi - people can help me. I plan to include a TFT (maybe a little later) so I am interrested in modding a Video Card to have the VGA connector inside as well. Keyboard and Mouse will be Logitec Cordless Desktop, the transmitter will be internaly connected via USB. I don't yet now how to apply sound, I currently own a SB Live! Player.

Thank you very much for your advice, I'll let u know what I'll come up with.

Please check out my other post concerning this matter as well:
http://forums.overclockers.ws/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61461

[ThePunkGeek]

i was thinking about trying somthing similar becuase i can get enough aluminum for free to build a case. I never got started because i didnt know where to start. Good luck

[Ottoman]

I was gonna put my computer into a aluminum briefcase, but decided to spend the money on H20 instead, and go for practicallity over estetics..

if u can find a case large enough for your pci cards to stand in it should be possible...

but remember u have alot of hot equipment cramped in a small space..

so cooling would be essential, perhaps difficult...

I thought about putting a fans on each side, intake and exhaust..

if u have a dremel then cutting holes for the mobo to pass through is easy..

and mounting, u don't need a floppy, and u can suspend the hard drive on the "ceiling" of the case so that when i closes it hovers over the mobo... u may have to remove the PSU from it's "cage" due to lack of space, but that can be VERY dangerous..

[s3ppel]

space is not my primary concern. the boxes i am looking for are about 17" (42 cm) long, 12" (30 cm) wide and about as high. the celing can be swung open and i want to integrate a tft there to get a easy-to-move pc. I am wondering how to fasten the stuff inside. I got 2 old at cases, maybe i just rip those off. lets see...

[s3ppel]

Can someone perhaps tell me the maximum ATX motherboard size specification, please?:eh?:

[Ottoman]

ATX is a form factor..

they're all standardized... all the screw holes are the same...
and the size...
just measure yours...

[s3ppel]

Originally posted by Ottoman
ATX is a form factor..

they're all standardized... all the screw holes are the same...
and the size...
just measure yours...

Are you absolutely shure the overall size of the boards is always the same? I know the holes are standardized as well as the pci slot side, but how about the other three sides?

[badgers]

A full ATX board can be a little different in size but the important part is that the screw holes are always in the same dimensions relative to each other.

I have noticed an 1/8" difference in the bottom of my boards.
Just below the last PCI or ISA slot is what I call the bottom.
but the screw holes still lined up, which is the important part.

I think the most difficult thing for you will be bringing the AGP card and any PCI cards out of the case.
If you look at the back of any ATX case you will see that the box has jog in it so that you have some place to scre the PCI or AGP card to. I would not be ashamed to take an old case and rip the 5.25 or 3.5" drive cages out. I have gotten some old cases that were not ATX and I grabbed the 5.25 drive cage before throwing the rest out.

I have wanted to make my own case for a uATX board with Vid, Audio, and lan all intergrated into the board. I think it would make a good comprimize between notebook and desktop performance/price. the Nforce boards video is fine for me. I just have not seen any in a uATX size. I have thought about the KM133A but the video is a little lower then I want.

You don't seem to want it small so you should have no problem.

You will need to drill and tap the case so that you can mount the standoffs for your motherboard.
Be sure to use tapping oil when working, Aluminum is easy to seaze(Spelling) and strip.
An easier way would be to do as you said. Rip the Motherboard tray out of an existing case. I would not suggest you mount the board to the exterior side of the case:)
If you do you will need to remove that side of the case to screw the drives into the cage. You can get creative and make the cage snap in and out and maybe try to use a screwless support for the CD rom type drives .

post back if you try this because I have been thinking of doing some custom case work as well. I wish you the best of luck.
I think the integration of the flat screen will be cool but the vid card will by default bring that connector out of the case. so you will have a plug out of the case which you need to route back inside for the integral flat screen. This may be more difficult because the vid cable is not as flexable as you might want.
It might be possible to unsolder the default connector and resolder it at 90 to stay in the case but this might be a challenge.
if vid is integrated on the mother board then it may be a lost cause because of the ATX header configuration.

Also, you might want to make a hinged door that when traveling you can cover the flat screen for phyisical protection.

[s3ppel]

First, thanks a lot for your excellent advice.
When I'll post first pictures next week I hope the situation becomes a little clearer. The aluminium box I talk about is more like a chest than a suitcase. I is abot 17" (40cm) long and 12" (30cm) wide and high. I want to integrate the TFT into the top so that it swings open like a notebook. By the way, does anyone happen to know a slim TFT that can be mouned to a wall??


For this I plan to mod the video card as you said (see the link above in my first post) and try to solder on a second VGA connector (on the back of the PCB) that I will unsolder from an older ISA card. Do you think it would mess up the Video Card to have 2 Connectors? I dont think so as long as I dont connect 2 Devices.

Concerning the the motherboard:
I want to try not to integrate a mobo tray from an older case because i think it will waste some of the important space. Instead I'll try to find a box wich will stand on the sides, having the bottom a little over the floor. (see the picture, and sorry for the bad quality, i just forgot how to use ms paint. i hope you'll get the idea.) Then I can screw standoffs through the bottom.
I will then try to saw holes into the box, bending the edges inside to apply the pci cards there. I still dont know how to do it, i will do some brainstorming about it during the week. :confused:

Sorry I don't no a microATX nForce board either, but even if I did, I wouldn't go for it because of the lack of flexibility. I want to integrate a TV-Card, NIC and 5.1 Soundcard (maybe more), wich would become difficult in microATX.

I am also thinking about some sort of closable blowholes for protecting the system during transport.

Well, keep on with the good advice people, the situation changes from hopeless to "might perhaps succed". And my rusty english gets some necessary practice now that I'm out of school. :cool:

[s3ppel]

I have taken some pictures of the box i mean at obi today. undortunately i dont have a digital camera, so they will go to development tomorrow and should be back in my scanner by the end of the week. But I have the size by now:

Length: 54cm
With (deep): 34cm
Height: 26,5cm + 2,5 cm inside top

All sizes are inside. How would u arange a pc - including tft - inside this?