Hand Built Aluminium HTPC - [Updated 24/4/03 - Funky New Pictures]

Well I planned to make a very highly detailed project log…but I really didn’t have the time – sorry.

I needed to start using this machine ASAP as I’ve got a spanking new Sony projector just begging to be played with

So…over the last week I have gone from having a couple of sheets of barley pattern aluminium sheeting, a few lengths of steel tubing, various connectors and a handful of fixings to this…my first attempt at building a case from scratch

I was tempted to buy a case specifically for HTPC use but none of those available really suited and they all cost a fair bit.

The main aim of the project was to build a silent system. Water-cooling was ruled out early on as just being too time consuming, as being a noob to it, so Zalman was my saviour in the form of their new P4 HSF, their passive video card cooler and their silent PSU. The remaining case fans will be run from some form of fan controller and will only be used during gaming sessions and can be switched off for movie viewing.

Anyway, to the pictures…as most of you have skipped all the waffle anyways.











































There’s still plenty to do but I’m well pleased with it.

Cheers, CC

 

amazing as always....could we get some close ups of the mounting hardware for the mobo and such?


edit: doh, nm I see them.....my next question is what are you gonna put under the mobo? that looks like a lot of space!

 

Cheers Phire

The motherboard tray is mounted simply using M4 bolts with a 55mm sleeving of 5mm aluminum tubing and is fixed underneath the case using fancy cap nuts - simple but effective.

The motherboard is then mounted to the tray using 5mm insulated spacers which have an M3 size bolt hole in both ends. So the are bolted to the tray and then the motherboard bolts onto the spacers.

The reason I have choosen this design is to allow me to mount the DVD drive and the HDD underneath the motherboard meaning the case did not need to be too deep.

It measures 430mm wide x 320mm deep x 220 high.

Cheers, CC

 

great lookin case wish i had the patience to build one from scratch
btw did u take those pictures during a power cut

 

That looks nice man, good work! I think maybe you and Zap should have a compo to see who can make the most 1337 HTPC

Currently I say Zap's is cooler, but your's looks a lot nicer with Zap's not having a case or anything yet. Keep the updates coming mate.

 

nice what do u call those designed metal sheet?

 

I love the heavy steel.

(The images could use a GAMMA brightness boost)

 

Industrial Chiq.

Nice, i love the massive handles on the front

 

Lovely mate, just lovely

 

Today I made the aluminium cover for the case which took a bit of persuading, with a hammer, but was worth it in the end.

I also took some better pictures this time.











I will take more pictures of how it's constructed when I take it all apart soon to add the sound proffing stuff I've got.

Cheers, CC

 

Hmmm, nice.

How big is that? it looks massive

 

It has been made to be the same width as the rest of my AV gear which is 430mm wide. It's actual dimensions are 430mm wide x 320mm deep x 220 high.

It is not meant to be moved around. It will just sit in the rack with the rest of my AV stuff.

Cheers, CC

 

K. That's even cooler then.

 

That's some awesome work. I love the handles.

 

Looks good!

Dont suppose you work for Zalman??

 

That does look lovely

I would love to have the skills and tools to build some thing like it myself.

 

Have installed some lighting and placed the unit with the rest of my AV gear. Some more stuff to do but I really wanted to start using the thing.

Anyway...pictures not of the best quality as usual















Cheers, CC

 

NICE! For some reason, I'm insanely drawn to the display! Is it a graphic vfd?

 

siiiicccckk!! Dude, it looks amazing!

 

Fits so well into your rack unit... nice.