Hi guys well now that school is finally over I will take on my first modding project. Even though I have followed the modding scene for a couple years now I never had the time or motivation to actually attempt anything big. Well that is going to change. I want to make small computer with a huge hard drive to fit all my mp3s and movies on there. There will be no monitor, keyboard, or Cd-Rom drive. So it will be very small. I will also be putting a wireless network card in so that I can share it with the whole house. These are the things I’m planning on putting in a custom fabricated aluminum case. *Via Epia M-Series Mini-itx motherboard *D-Link DWL-520+ wireless pci network adapter *Western Digital 250GB EIDE hard drive I'm still looking for a really small Power Supply to power the unit. Sorry i don't have any images to show you, but unlike some people (Zapwizard) i am not that handy with rendering programs. I think Via has an External Power solution like those used for laptops... but i can't find any info on that... Questions *How do i mount a motherboard on aluminum? *Is there any good software that will let me control the computer from another computer? PcAnywere is too slow. P.S. My dad works for a contract manufacturing company so that means expect to see perfectly cut aluminum (laser cuts) and some nice bends. It should come out looking first class. I got some really cool ideas, but I still have to get everything organzied and on paper. Sorry that this thread is so long and that there are no pics, but this is just an introduction. I don't know if i should post this or wait till i actually get something done, but who really cares? "The best is yet to come"
Where are you? You use standoffs. VNC (do a google search). Or if running Linux, just telnet in... Any chance for cutting some for me too?
Now i need to figure out a way to put standoffs in with drilling into the bottom of my case. Actually i can get stuff cut for you, but it will cost you I'll ask my dad, but i can't get too much stuff done cuz those guys are busy doing more important things, but it is definately possible.
Ok... on this page Via says that there is an exteranl power supply that can be used to power their motherboard...http://www.viavpsd.com/newspress/index15.jsp Anyone have any info on this?
How do you figure? My laptop has a hard drive, lcd monitor, and dvd drive and the power adapter seems to handle it fine
WD 250gig Desktop-HD: Spinup 2.4 A (max) 680 mA 21.4 W Read/Write 430 mA 730 mA 8.8 W Seek 730 mA 750 mA 12.5 W http://www.wdc.com/en/products/current/drives.asp?Model=WD2500JB IBM 80gig Travelstar Laptop-HD: Startup (max. peak) 4.7 W Seek (average) 2.3 W Read (average) 2.1 W Write (average) 2.2 W http://ssddom01.hgst.com/tech/techlib.nsf/techdocs/5A00243E13BB249687256C4E006CF086/$file/HGSTTravelstar80GN.PDF
Here's how I'd build it. 0.25" for the top and bottom (so you can tap the edges from screws to attach the sides), and 1/16th" from the rest. The seperate pieces would be cut like so (2) - 9" x 9" x 0.25" (top and bottom) (4) - 9" x 4" x 0.0625" (sides) I also have some stand-offs I could mail you if you can't find any. With larger drive you'll need alot more juice than a little ITX PSU can supply. I recommend this tiny 200w model
Thanks a lot guys for your help! I guess i have two options... 1) Buy a couple external PSUs or 2) get the tiny PSU Captain Slug suggested. It's a little big but maybe i can rip out it's gust and not use the casing. Captain Slug ..... what program did you use to make that picture? Btw.. I just learned that my father's company are experts in fabrication. Meaning for my case they will not only laser cut and bend the aluminum, but they will anodize it any color. Also they can make any design i want out the aluminum... Time to get creative i could get a couple things done for you guys but not too much... first come first serve seems to be the fairest way.. peace
Just got the board today... I opted for the M9000 for 2 reasons 1) The heatsink is a lot smaller on the M9000 than on the M10000 2) The store didn't have the M10000 So i got the M9000 + Kingston 2100 512MB for $232. I know i could of got the stuff cheaper somewhere else, but with Fry's you can always return stuff with no problem Here are some pics Testing... And here is what the new computer will be replacing... I know the computer is a mess... I have 4 HDs in there totaling 380 Gigs 2 x 60GB 1 x 80GB 1 x 100Gb All are 7200 and Western Digital
Just to let you know i found a solution for the power supply. There are external power supplies you buy just like the ones used for laptops. Here is the LINK Here are some specs ripped from the site... Cool power. Operating at only 12V, the PW-60 dc-dc quiet power supply converter generates a cool 60W of power. The PW-60 provides plenty of power for your CPU and peripherals. Designed to meet the most demanding fanless power operations the PW-60-MINI-ITX delivers cool power for compact, light designs. 100% Silent. The PW-60 mini PSU is a 100% silent dc to dc solution. No fans, no noise, just power for your silent and small PC. Read more specs or buy online Tested configurations. The PW-60 has been tested on a EPIA -800Mhz, 512Mb RAM, two IBM 120Gb hard drives while decoding a MPEG movie. Recommended configs: C3 processor, 1 regular size hard drive, any amount of RAM. -------------------------------------------------- Time to redesign my case as this will allow me to make it even smaller. The only thing i don't like is how the PCI riser goes away from the motherboard.Hmmm.... I wonder if i could reverse it?
They are the ones I was talking about. 60W is not enough for your PC. Don't believe what they said. Because you don't want your PSU to be running at 100% load 24/7.
Looking forward to seeing the finished case. I'm thinking about doing a simular case too. Is the M9000 graphic wise to reply films no probs.....? The only difference i was thinking about installing a DVD in mine.. But like I said not sure if the graphics on the board is upto that..... I hope so.... Keep us posted Dredog, want upto date pics when they are available... I got a price the other day dor some aluminium 5 pieces Aluminium Sheet 10SWG (3mm) 300 x 300 including delivery £38 Here's the site Aluminuim sheets
And who say's size isn't important....... Never mind, I'm sure you'll find a way around it. I must admit the copper looks nice too...
