[DUSNOETOS]

Well let me start by saying that I do not expect every one to like the case I am building. I am a amateur sculptor, so much of the things I build has my unique artistic flair to it. So if you don't like it, I don't mind if you say so (and why would be nice) but PLEASE don't be rude about it.

This project has been gradually forming in my head for nearly 5 years. The catalyst that started the whole thing was finding an old dual blower fan in a scrap pile in a barn that was to be razed.
All though the idea of using the blower to cool a computer was there for years the idea did not become a reality until late 2008 with my first attempt to use the blower. (see this thread for details of that attempt). I used that setup for for a few months and it worked well. But for multiple reasons, I did not keep that setup. None the less it started the thinking process that has led up to this current build.


My goals "ARE" (since it is still in construction as of 12-2-09):
Fully functional case.
Low noise.
Fully filtered air flow.
Exceptional Cooling.
Low cost (the Demand of the wife)...SO...
Use parts I have or can scavenge.
And a fun project to help clear my mind during a stressful life transition.
(will explain on request via private message)

[ATTACH] [IMG] 78424 [IMG] [/ATTACH]
[ATTACH][IMG]78425[IMG][/ATTACH]
Could not resist taking this picture...that is my daughter... and the foundation for the motherboard
[ATTACH][IMG]78430[IMG][/ATTACH]
[ATTACH][IMG]78431[IMG][/ATTACH]
Current space for 6 Hard drives and 3 DVD drives and one floppy (case has room where a 2nd 6 hard drive cage could be installed later)
[ATTACH][IMG]78432[IMG][/ATTACH]
Frame completed. Since the PSU will be completely inside the case, I wired the case independent with it's own plug and master on off switch. Since the Blower is AC, it needs a relay to turn it on and off (see first blower thread ↑), that is the yellow part.

[DUSNOETOS]

More build pictures:



The rack holding the drives can slide in and out. The PSU will sit on the right of the drive rack. I used an old seat belt as a henge for the door.


the back has a large removable filter that easily slides in place.

[Zerius]

my ears hurt from looking at that

[DUSNOETOS]

Originally Posted by Zerius

my ears hurt from looking at that

I assume your comment is based on thinking that the blower is very loud (?)

But in reality it is rather quiet... It is actually quieter than the 120mm fan I have on my CPU heat Sink now.

[sweefu]

hey mate, looks like a great idea! hope you have fun with it and good luck.

[hokiealumnus]

Looks like a fun build. Your daughter is very cute. Made my wife give an "awwwww".

[DUSNOETOS]

Originally Posted by hokiealumnus

Looks like a fun build. Your daughter is very cute. Made my wife give an "awwwww".

Thanks

[SeanBest]

I've heard of overclocking CPUs and GPUs ... but turbocharging a case ... heck looks like a twin turbo actually.

[visbits]

Getto Ben is going to get a run for his money!

[madhatter256]

hahah nice. post pix as u progres!

[jeckulz]

This is SCREAMING for a ricer theme.
Would look MINT with bonnet vent from a Pulsar and a scooby rear wing , Paint it white with a green stripe and have half the blower sticking out with a massive cone filter and a 3" exhaust!!!



Sorry, wrong forum

[Flurp]

Originally Posted by hokiealumnus

Looks like a fun build. Your daughter is very cute. Made my wife give an "awwwww".

2nd this... well My wife gave more of a "awww she's cute, so not all these guys are young kids with their parents money?"

looks nice keep up the work... so sculpting... you looked into making a fibre glass top or something to get a nice smooth top on it ?

[DUSNOETOS]

Thanks for all the comments so far.

2nd this... well My wife gave more of a "awww she's cute, so not all these guys are young kids with their parents money?"

No I am very much not a young kid living with his parents. I am 31, and happily married. ---Heck, in a few years it may be that my parents will need to live with me.

To answer one question... As for the top? The end goal will be to get a piece of Plexiglas for it on a hinge.


ANY-FOR-WHO; I am very happy with how it is turning out. Larger than my original thought and it is going to be rather heavy.

Well, here are 3 more pictures that show the progress.

You can see that I now have the basic "shell" up.
The clear window is a piece of clear plastic that used to be part of a
lid for a cake box from a grocery store bakery
..............................................Simi lar to this one:


Here is a taste of how I am going to finish the box.

I am just starting to wonder if the single 140mm fan as an exhaust will be enough or should I add a second exhaust fan??

[DUSNOETOS]

Here are 2 more pictures:

The 120mm fan is an Antec 3 speed LED fan.
the smaller fan is a 80mm x 20mm fan that will suck the heat out from the GPU.

[DUSNOETOS]

All that is left is panting and a few minor things (like door latches); then I will be ready to install the components.


Here is me and Esther playing peek-a-boo. And also a view of the bottom inside with out the hard drive/disk drive rack.

Here is the front with the top lid open.

Top down view.

Top lid closed.

Scout just had to inspect to make sure I was doing a proper job.

[DUSNOETOS]

Other side view.

Close up of the "front panel" the 2 yellow squares are the power and reset switches. These gave me so much trouble

The color idea is: RED with bronze accents. But that is not yet set in stone so please feel free to offer other color ideas.

[DUSNOETOS]

I decided to wait on painting the outside....mostly because my wife wanted the mess cleaned up for now. So I went ahead and installed everything.

I decided to replace the North-bridge heat-sink with this. It is a modified heat-sink from an old I-MAC. It works well. The white stuff is wet Tacky Glue (it dries clear) - it is there as a precaution to make sure it doesn't move if bumped. And yes I used a zip tie to hold it down.



The ducting from the Blower to CPU was not easy to make. Tried 3 other ideas before I settled on this one.





COMMENTS PLEASE! This thread has had many looks but few comments...

[DUSNOETOS]

I am sad. No one has an opinion on my newly built case. I was really hoping for some feedback.

[hokiealumnus]

I think it's great. You did a splendid job working on a tight budget, which I very much respect (and sympathize with). It's original and looks like it should work great. How does it cool?

[Ben333]

IDK man, people call me ghetto.... but damn. lol

The popsicle sticks aren't really doing it for me, neither is the tape, paper or lego pieces. If it works for you then that's great but a setup like that would drive me crazy.

[jhanby]

Awesome case. Very ghetto indeed.

How's the cooling on that beast ?

More importantly, how quiet is it ?

[DUSNOETOS]

Well thanks for the comments - and for not being rude if you did not like it. As I noted in the first post - I did not expect every one to like my idea. But that is the nature of things. If we all liked the same things this would be one very boring world.

To answer some questions:
Is it quiet? Is it perfectly silent - no... but it is quieter than my old set up The blower is surprisingly quiet. The fan on the GPU is actually the loudest one.
How is the cooling? not bad. My 2 cores have always been about an average of 10° apart


Ya working on a very tight budget was tough - but it was also a good life lesson.... But I am very happy with the outcome. All I have bought for this project has been: Hot glue sticks, Paint, and some new brushes; all told I have spent less than $10.

The only significant changes I plan on doing when I have $$ to burn would be: better GPU and CPU heat-sinks, and a different way of ducting the blower.

Well I do hope for some more opinions .... but I gotta run for now.

[neonblingbling]

Do you really need those exhaust fans? Looks like the blower has things covered (as in cant get airflow )

[psionic98]

exhaust fans may be a moot point.. the blower should keep some positive pressure in the case and keep air moving out the back end rather nicely.. why not have the gfx use a passive heatsink and duct the blower over that too.. less fans = less noise!

[DUSNOETOS]

why not have the gfx use a passive heatsink and duct the blower over that too.. less fans = less noise!

That is s thought... but I currently don't have anything that would fit it.... I have been toying with the idea of cutting up an old CPU heat-sink and using that... But that would be a project for another day (my Wife has me locked into other tasks at the moment that I reluctantly agree are more important than my computer's).

Do you really need those exhaust fans? Looks like the blower has things covered (as in cant get airflow )

the 140mm fan sucks the air out from under the heat sink. And the 120mm (one with blue LED's) has over an inch of clearence...

I never said this case is a perfect design - it is only my first attempt at a full case build.
I am also very hesitant to put much more money into this system - it is getting old - but save money for a newer setup.

[DUSNOETOS]

I am frustrated the 80mm fan that I had above the video card decided to start grinding...some dirt must have gotten in to the ball barring . it is a old used fan that I cleaned up. luckily I have other quiet 80mm fans, but that was my last 15mm thick one. (this means that a normal 25mm thick fan will stick over the place where the PCI set screws go.) Even though I made the case so the fans could be replaced if needed - it is still a pain in the rear.

Well I have started to paint the case. I am using acrylic paint (since it is good quality and cheep). I am just really surprised how much the wood is sucking up the paint. I am going to have to put on many coats.

I am also realizing how much I shake these days. Do to some nerve damage in my hands and wrists I have a slight tremor that is slowly getting worse as I age. For the most part it never bothers me and I am able to control it - but trying to paint around stuff meant to be a different color is hard... It is looking like I may have to tape parts off to keep it neat (some thing I have rarely had to do....)

[RollingThunder]

Originally Posted by DUSNOETOS

I am frustrated the 80mm fan that I had above the video card decided to start grinding...some dirt must have gotten in to the ball barring . it is a old used fan that I cleaned up. luckily I have other quiet 80mm fans, but that was my last 15mm thick one. (this means that a normal 25mm thick fan will stick over the place where the PCI set screws go.) Even though I made the case so the fans could be replaced if needed - it is still a pain in the rear.

Well I have started to paint the case. I am using acrylic paint (since it is good quality and cheep). I am just really surprised how much the wood is sucking up the paint. I am going to have to put on many coats.

I am also realizing how much I shake these days. Do to some nerve damage in my hands and wrists I have a slight tremor that is slowly getting worse as I age. For the most part it never bothers me and I am able to control it - but trying to paint around stuff meant to be a different color is hard... It is looking like I may have to tape parts off to keep it neat (some thing I have rarely had to do....)

DUSNOETOS

Did you have it sprayed for termites?

[DUSNOETOS]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

DUSNOETOS

Did you have it sprayed for termites?

HA HA, very very funny. If termites ever attack this case....I would have a lot bigger things to worry about.... Like is my home is going to collapse.

[burningcpu]

Dude, I love the case. A lol! at the kitty and baby inspection team. My kitties put their noses into all of my new builds. If it is in their house, it has to be approved.

[onefstsnake]

Pretty cool build.

Yeah popsicle sticks need alot of paint.
Sanding sealer would help but its kinda messy and smells pretty bad.

This build is definately shows how one can recycle old parts into new projects.

And wow $10! I dont think Ive bought anything for my computer for less than $15. Maybe a bag of thumbscrews lol.