The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Is this a viable case mod?
Shoggoth
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Firstly, I know nothing about the logistics of actually building a case. Maybe this is the worst idea. This is why I ask you fine folks!
The idea is to build a computer into one of these sawhorses:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79849797
The actual layout would likely have a couple of beams running across the inside of the sawhorse to mount the mobo and other parts on. Mobo on one side and other parts on the opposite side. The outside would likely be covered with evenly spaced slats of some material. Spaced at larger intervals on some sections to allow for some more air flow.
I guess my main concern at this point is keeping it cool. Is it possible? What's the best fan lay out? What're some good (cheap!) materials to be using for the "skin" slats?
Yes, this will be under my desk. No, I don't have a lot of shit on my desk and never will.
The idea is to build a computer into one of these sawhorses:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79849797
The actual layout would likely have a couple of beams running across the inside of the sawhorse to mount the mobo and other parts on. Mobo on one side and other parts on the opposite side. The outside would likely be covered with evenly spaced slats of some material. Spaced at larger intervals on some sections to allow for some more air flow.
I guess my main concern at this point is keeping it cool. Is it possible? What's the best fan lay out? What're some good (cheap!) materials to be using for the "skin" slats?
Yes, this will be under my desk. No, I don't have a lot of shit on my desk and never will.
Shoggoth on
0
Posts
I would still enclose the area, place some wood supports on the bottom (on either side of the current middle support in the saw horse), and use it as a cabinet. Just find a microatx or a small atx tower to fit here there. Maybe a door on the front of the enclosure so you could get to the DVD drive, and a hole in the back or bottom for cables.
If the area is too small for a 'box in a box', then you should be able to mount a motherboard/parts right on the existing supports. Get a sheet of aluminum or acrylic, pre-drill holes at the correct spacing for your motherboard, mount the sheet to the middle support, then mount the MB with spacers to that sheet. You could fabricate a similiar tray for your HDDs and such, and mount next to it on the center, or were the center support and back support form the 'T' for better stability.
As for cooling, a few 120mm case fans would do the trick, and depending on the slat spacing, you most likely wouldn't need to cut out holes for them, just mount them on the inside of the slat material. For flow, you would want at least 1 pulling clean air in, and 1 exhausting it out the back or side, with the powersupply fans assisting the exhaust.
If you mod, post pics!
*edit*
Oh I would use wood for the 'louvered' door look you are trying to create. I think I remember seeing pre-cut louvers in the big box lumber stores, but google is failing me on an example.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/build-pc/4318067
Thats...really cool! That much custom acrylic must have cost a bundle though.