Portable Custom PC Case

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CoolBug

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Hey Guys,

I'm keen to make a custom PC case and would like expert advice if anyone has any.

So I already have a micro ATX, an i5 and a super average GPU, I don't necessarily want to buy a new motherboard or other components, I already have a PCI wifi card that I should be able to use as well.

I was looking for a carry case and the stars aligned when I found this, the inner dimensions are I.D.(LxWxH) : 330x217x160mm:

I3301092452.jpg

http://www.communica.co.za/catalog/Details/P1175702244

My plan is to lay the motherboard flat on the bottom of the case and have the PSU on the left but when I'm using it, the box will be on it's side like a normal PC with the PSU on the bottom.

Also I only need bare essentials, just going to be using my SSD and a 2.5" 750GB, no DVD roms or anything.

So I've made a design in SketchUp using all my current components, even using the actual motherboard to get an understanding of where things are, all those little round holes are 10mm holes for ventilation.

Final Version 1.JPG

I understand heat is an issue so I will use this as an extractor fan, I'm sure I'll be able to mount the fan on the lid of the case and route the power in such a way that I can open and close the case seamlessly:

https://www.rebeltech.co.za/2312-lian-li-bs-05-140mm-black-no-led-lian-li-bs-05-140mm-double-ball-bearing-with-fan-guard-and-filter-1200rpm-6042cfm-209dba-black.html

The GPU juuuust fits with like 2mm to spare:

GPUfits.JPG

Only complications might be the hinges of the case but the MB IO will be at the bottom of the case and then I have to just find a nice place for the switch and make holes for HDD LED if I feel the need.

Thanks, any advice is more than welcome.
 
Keep in mind that the inner case corners are round so you will not be able to butt things up to the side unless you raise them above the inner bend.
Secondly I doubt the inside of that case is flat, I suspect their will be thicker raised areas running through the case in order to give it some structural rigidity else it's gonna flex like tupperware but I could be wrong.
 
1. Ponder makes a good point about the rounded corners. Be very careful when doing a test fit. I'd go as far as using some electrical tape / play-doh or presstick to get everything in place first to test the fit.

2. Personally, I'd rather have the heat venting directly out of the top, you can use 2 x smaller fans there instead of one huge 120mm on the side. You can also use a smaller fan at the bottom (next to the PSU) to suck more air inside, but you shouldnt need it

3. It will tricky to glue the mobo support screws to the case, that might require some creative solutions.

4. I'd also be very wary about the GFX card wriggling around and damaging the PCI-X slot. You will need to stabilise the car in it's uppermost position like most cases do.
 
Enigma_2k4 said:
1. Ponder makes a good point about the rounded corners. Be very careful when doing a test fit. I'd go as far as using some electrical tape / play-doh or presstick to get everything in place first to test the fit.
Click to expand...

No doubt, I don't think the rounded corners & sides will be too much of an issue though.

Enigma_2k4 said:
2. Personally, I'd rather have the heat venting directly out of the top, you can use 2 x smaller fans there instead of one huge 120mm on the side. You can also use a smaller fan at the bottom (next to the PSU) to suck more air inside, but you shouldnt need it
Click to expand...

I could do 2 x 80mm fans on top but I couldn't really find anything decent at this size, they were all really cheap and of questionable quality, this seems like a good fan with good airflow and it comes with dust protection and fan guard. Also I'm going to test to see which is better, flowing into the case directly onto the CPU or extraction to filter out the hot air.

Enigma_2k4 said:
3. It will tricky to glue the mobo support screws to the case, that might require some creative solutions.
Click to expand...

Prately or Sugru?

Enigma_2k4 said:
4. I'd also be very wary about the GFX card wriggling around and damaging the PCI-X slot. You will need to stabilise the car in it's uppermost position like most cases do.
Click to expand...

I'm going to make a bracket for the GPU so it won't be dissimilar to a normal case.
 
CoolBug said:
Prately or Sugru?
Click to expand...

you shouldnt need to glue the mobo stand offs in place but i would add the glue as an additional fastening means.. measure the threaded bit of the mobo stand off, diameter, i think its 3 or 4mm.. drill a pilot hole thats smaller than the diameter of the threaded bit into the case plastic.. you can then screw the stand off directly into the case and it will stay in place.. you can spread some glue on the threads before screwing them in to lock them in place, but i dont think it will be necessary though..
 
For the price of the case you can make a case from aluminium (laser cut all pieces so just need to assemble) - basic frame and panels and plonk a handle on top. Perhaps hinge one panel and keep it closed by a magnetic strip or single screw.
 
Archer said:
I was just trying to look for something similar, I was sure there would be something around R1k that fits the bill.

Unless there is some special need to go custom (be it just for fun, or some design requirement, etc) I would suggest going with something manufactured.
Click to expand...

I agree with this

Edit : Although that's an m-ITX chassis, you'd need a compatible board if you go with that specific one
 
iDoS said:
I'd just copy this design -

http://www.wootware.co.za/cfi-cfi-a0121bb-mini-itx-all-black-gaming-chassis.html
Click to expand...


That chassis looks very cool! Although, the space might be too small. Also, doing your own custom chassis will certainly be more expensive but also alot more fun and rewarding (and frustrating of course).

WASlayer's solution regarding the mobo standoff bits are a good solution. I def think a touch of glue would be necessary as you dont want them shaking out over time.
 
Yea, unfortunately I don't really feel it's necessary to buy new motherboard or components etc, I'm just looking for a case, I've been looking at Ammo boxes and metal toolboxes on the local interwebs, I've found but nothing readily available.

The Micro-ATX that I have is already quite small.

Another thing is that the plastic on this case is more than tough enough for my purposes and will be easier to mod than a metal case, if I find a metal case with good dimensions, I might still go for that.

I'm also not really sure about making a whole frame and cutting aluminium, for me there is a lot of ambiguity so this box for now at least, seems ideal.

Thanks so much for the input so far guys!

EDIT: That CFI suitcase type case is pretty awesome.
EDIT: I could only find this video of the case where the guy says the plastic isn't too tough but maybe you wouldn't want to be dropping you case in the first place, that said, mistakes do happen, maybe I can put shock absorption in as a precautionary?
 
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Enigma_2k4 said:
That chassis looks very cool! Although, the space might be too small. Also, doing your own custom chassis will certainly be more expensive but also alot more fun and rewarding (and frustrating of course).

WASlayer's solution regarding the mobo standoff bits are a good solution. I def think a touch of glue would be necessary as you dont want them shaking out over time.
Click to expand...

It might be possible to do this without spending too much, case is around 800 which is the price of a super average case, I guess then it's also the fan but there shouldn't be much more unless I buy tools which I might not have to.
 
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