Right... here I go, First, Codename X is just a temporary name, I haven't really figured out a name yet. I've been working with Sketchup for quite a while now... making concepts of mostly pc cases.. this one is the first ever design that I made using Sketchup and I can't seem to get it out of my head, so now... I've basically arrived at the point where I'm actually happy enough with it and would like to show it and ask everyone else their opinion. It will most likely be built in a combination of aluminium/acrylic. Sooo.. in short.. I designed something, I don't know if I should possibly build it, I'll show you guys where I'm at now and would like to see what you think about it. [The following renders are way too glossy, will have to do re-do them soon as I'm starting to get the hang of rendering now] A "Quick" Render: and another one which I like : Open version: This closed outer case would be for transporting purposes, or just if you want to stash it into a corner where nobody would see it. Still not sure about the actual case, but yea, a concept. Front closed: Back closed: Exploded/Xray view: So... tell me what you think, suggestions are appreciated
The open concept certainly look great mate, the illusion of floating components If you could pull off the zero visible wiring also that would make for something else!!!
Don't forget to put a special PCI braket of sort to hold the GPU in the open concept. Else your will break your PCI-E socket of your motherboard. If this case will be a switchable case between open and close concept. I would find a way to slide the open concept stand somewhere (in the case, or in hidden compartment) for easier transport. The HDD;s outside like they are, in my opinion, not nice due to their labels and color. I would put them in a metal enclosure. This will also allow you to have better HDD cooling, and allow you to hide the wires or circuit board connector more easily, and have vibration absorbing system. Be sure to have small holes on the motherboard tray so that you can connect and hide inside the SATA and power cables. If all the wires are completely black, I think they won't be visible to the un-trained eye Be also sure that the video card PCI-E plug cover can be pulled and retracted, allowing you to change the GPU. On the closing panels, you may need to use a foam/pad on the inside, so that it doesn't scratch the case, and prevent system vibration from having the panel hit together and make noise. What I worry is all these HDD's (2 is fine.. but like 4), might cause cooling a problem. You might need a fan there when you enclose your case.
Numbered the things you said in order to be able to answer it seperately. #1: I'm working on making some sort of bracket, though no succes with that so far, it would have to be removeable again because of the outer panels #2 Not sure what you mean by this? Are you talking about the detachable pieces? hmmm... good idea, even though I'm not sure if I can squeeze them in. will investigate! *a bit later* I've found a possible solution... attaching them on the inside of the outer panels might work, can't really make them slide in the main case, since it would leave a big gap when I want to use them, and because the structure will be weakened. #3 I've tried making an enclosure for the HDD, but with it it seems like a huge chunk of metal hanging off the case... doesn't look too good either, which is why I chose this approach... but it's not final yet, so I might find a new idea for an enclosure #4 Holes will obviously be made, but as I'm unsure what size/amount of cables will be going where I haven't made them yet #5 PCI-e plug as in the power plug? there's more then enough space for that, and if not, the case will need to be taken off to take the GPU out anyway, so more then enough space for that #6 The outer panels will be held by "hooks" if you can call them that. This is most likely reduce vibrations also since it will put tension on the panels #7 The 4 HDD's are just to show what could be possible, not what will be actually be on there
Have just looked into a spot for the detachable pieces, no luck.. but it is possible to stuff them in the outer case if I need to take them with me while transporting. No other ideas/comments/suggestions?
Fap-tastic concept Bartaggio, I like this more than the off the shelf level 11 ( also loved the little level 12 by whatshisname ). I have some ideas, feel free to laugh at them: 1) cheat a little- design the main upright of the 'chassis' to that there is 'tab' sticking out the rear in line with the gfx card. Have the pci plate be a nice thick piece of either alloy ( polished ofcourse ) or thick lexan, and have it bolt to that little sticky-out tab. Now, the clever part ( in my head... ) is that when the outer case is installed, this tab doesnt stick out anymore and is flush with the rest of the panels. Might need to do a doodle if it helps. I know this means the gfx card isnt really floating quite how you might like it to, but the aesthetics shouldnt be compromised too much. 3) I quite like the exposed HDDs myself, though I can see the argument for atleast partial enclosing them ( dust, dirt, accidental knocks etc ). What about just very thin lexan or plexi cases that slide over each HDD, just like an old video cassette tape and their thin cardboard case? If you used smoked plastic to form the 5 sided box, it would look rather nice I think. 7) more HDD = more porn, its all good baby As for storing/stowing the parts for travel, meh, couple rubber bands to keep them together and a bit of bubble wrap, then bung 'em inside the case- maybe wedged between side panel & psuif theres enough of a gap ( for normal use with the outer case installed, I'd stick those parts in a safe draw somewhere Very much look forward to seeing this become a reality.
Right, have been working a bit on the case again. I have added 2 other versions of the outer case and also found a way to secure the PCIe cards in "open mode" so they don't break off the PCIe sockets or worse. These are pretty much based on the EK waterblock backplates and will be attached to the card in a similar way. It will be attached to the actual case with 2 M3 screws. Cases: PCIe card holder: (in red to make it clear) Comments, suggestions?
For HDD, have a hot-swap backplane inside the spine, and as many slots/backplanes as are necessary, this'll mean rotating your HDD's 90degrees, which may entail widening the enclosure but it would look cool... For secure attachment there could then be a short protrusion at the side of either slot, to screw the HDD's into (first screw would probably be enough, if it needs to be longer, then have this brace removable like your PCI-E brace concept) With regards the GPU support, I don't think what you have there will be enough, it may well be, but then it would be a shame (an expensive shame) if it wasn't. I would double up what you have at the moment, with a replacement back plate for the card (don't know if that's what it's really called, the bit that the sockets stick out of anyway) this should then screw directly into the spine, bracing the card at both sides. Had you considered turning the PSU by 90 degrees too, so that the cabling all went directly into the spine, this could either make the case very fat, or necessitate having two smaller PSU's (a couple of 500w PSU's instead of one 1000w for example) to keep the width in check. You could then have most (all?) of the wires that show either appearing from underneath/behind the mother board, or have take-off's at specific points on the spine...
#1I have actually turned the HDDs 90 degrees, but I found that it didn't really look that great or stable. A bracket would solve this but it would ruin the whole sleek and open design if there's brackets sticking out. Will look into it as I do like being able to hot-swap hard disks and hide cables. #2As for the GPU support, it is 4mm thick and on the rear side the 2 ....? pieces of metal that stick out ...? will be in the slots shown below, if they're too short for some reason I could always fabricate some new. I think having an 8mm thick plate on top is too much. My case isn't even built from 8mm thick sheets! #3I have considered placing the PSU like you said, but that would either block off the fan, or leave a gaping hole in the side, which I want to leave as clean as possible. The width of it should be okay. I haven't actually checked other PSUs that have fans placed in other places, so it could still be possible. Thanks for the suggestions, has given me something to think about again
Couldn't you place the PSU downwards and add a little cavity at the bottom? Zero Cables Cheesecake. Also you could make shrouds to go over cpu pin connector, 24 pin atx, pci-e power connectors etc.
I have tried something similar to that but didn't actually use it as it would be a pain to attach the case. Take off the holder -> take out GPUs -> put on case -> secure the cards somehow. I want to be able to just take off/put on the case and not worry about the cards being unstable. Just did some minor tweaking to my backplate: Added a small strip on the sides to support the weight better. Think it's stable enough now? That's actually a pretty nice idea! Unfortunately, with this PSU I will have to put it so far down the bottom side is actually all the way through the case
Came up with a new concept on where to place HDDs, not sure if this is actually an improvement since it kind of removes the whole "open" design. Opinions? Suggestions?
Very inspiring work. Made me think about open air case with motherboard cover and cables soldered on the backside of motherboard. And of course watercooling with sleeved tubes.
I would prefer to see the motherboard flush with the inner face rather than the motherboard on stand-offs and having the HDD's back there. Something like this... ...only more elegant could look good, certainly if you had the right drives (think WD's Raptor X) it could be made to look really sexy.
I do like the motherboard being in line with the case, but it would mean that I need some sort of backplate to still hold it up, and a rubber border or something to avoid short circuiting. As for the HDDs.... I don't really find it working with the other components, it screws something up. Thanks for the suggestions and support!
...yea they just look... flat. I know having the motherboard in line would lot of work, but boy would it look good If the HDD's were kept standing as they are above (or rotated 90 degrees, but still standing up, that might look better), but located on the foot instead of projecting from the face???
That could work, but I think that would either result in a cable mess, or some major cutting in the case to get the cables there, will try out tomorrow and see where it ends up.
