If I wanted to build a case where I didn't need to show the insides, it would be water cooled, so heat would be less of a problem, would using MDF be ok as opposed to Acrylic? The only reason for going for MDF is that it's way cheaper than Acrylic, especially if we are talking about 10mm. The outside of the MDF will be covered with either Aluminium or brushed steel. The MDF would form the structure. In the UK the I can get MDF boards at 1600mm x 650mm x 12mm for about £8! The equivolent Acrylic would cost me about £40 - £60. I'd sooner spend the extra money on a water block or bigger rad. Is there anything fundamentally wrong is using MDF over Acrylic?
Go ahead and do it. Make sure you have enough ventilation through the case tho as heat will not dissipate from teh case like it would a steel or alu one.
Yeah definately, might help contain sound too. Youll need to cut out holes for intake and output fans though. Youll definately need an intake of some sort - air drifts in all around the seams on most cases, so just make sure you put a fan grill somewhere with an intake fan or just a hole to let air in (the front).
£60 for that huge a sheet of acrylic? (160x65x12mm) That's crazy cheap over here... Would at least cost a couple of times that over here...
You can't go wrong with MDF, but you're gonna cover it after? I know I tell everyone this, but don't neglect your local scrap metal dealer. You may find some cheap ali/steel plate. I'm collecting parts for my second CNC router at the moment, and the local scrappy has 12mm plate aluminium for £2/Kg. If you get there at the right time, it's good condition too. Just a thought!
Yeah, I saw your thread and thought OMG, thats like well cheap! Don't think I'd clad my MDF with that though, I've have a very quiet PC, but I won't be able to lift it.
LOL! If I had the time, tools AND space then that would be an l337 idea. But I reckon I'll end up using Alu Foil to clan that MDF, just to give it a real amature look.
I was just thinking about using wood myself, and that was before i read this thread. The beauty in that you can make it to the exact size you want. This is what gave me the idea of using wood Case I mean from the outside it doesn't look like wood. You colud use something like carbon sheeting or something cheaper. I was also thinking about cladding the edges in the 90 degree alu from B&Q What about plywood? It's ok for me i work in a timber yard..... So it'll be even cheaper for me. Well if you decide to make it from wood don't forget those pics.....
Don't forget though, you're not going to be using 1/2" arcrylic more likeily 1/4" and that's a lot cheaper than 1/2"
Erm...no. I was seriously thinking about using 10mm acrylic. I really wanted it sturdy, not because I was gonna take it to Lan parties, but the case design is gonna be tall and thin...well, thin'ish.* *The inside width is gonna be the size of MB with standoffs and GFX card, which is around 14cm. If right angled AGP extenders were reliable, then it'd be even thinner.
I highly doubt you need that thick of stuff, you may not know it but MDF is damn strong... I have a nice box of 3/4" MDF I use for a few subwoofers. It's not the most solidly constructed but i'm guessing it could support >300LBs.
