The Pico is definitely smaller than a 3.5" drive. I've got a pic of mine sitting next to a hard drive somewhere... Dark~Energy made the model, so I'll trust it's accuracy. Well, I don't have the tubing routed yet, but there should be room to loop over the 'top' of the ram and into the CPU block. I do have a little more room up there because of the clearance needed for the rad's height. Maybe I'll make the case transparent, and show you the insides then. I think I should be okay, but just barely... I'm hoping the PSU fan will be sufficient to pull heat of the chipset. I'm open to modifying the PSU fan if more airflow is needed.
Thanks! I just can't get away from the Pico's. They are an awesome little piece of hardware. Cable management won't be as bad as it could be. Most everything will be mounted to the central motherboard tray. At least, that's what I'm hoping...
Heh... I had my share of fun routing the cables for the eutanasia-case... My new setup is even a bit smaller than that one, but I got away much easier because I used Swiftechs Apogee Drive as the block/pump... New cooling loop... For me the chipset turned out fine with the older case, but in the newer one the psu really makes a lot of noise and the chipset is frying. One reason why I'm designing a new case as we speak.
Lol, yeah, that Apogee sure makes for a small loop. It's so simple it looks 'wrong', like you forgot to include something. So, a new case, huh? Details man!
Probably gonna skip writing out anything on this case Too many things to fix. The cooling loop however turned out great. Just used the swiftech compact kit. A slightly larger radiator, but with the fill-cap and res integrated it made things easier.
Haha, well better get on it then. Thank you. The case will be made from aluminum. 2mm, and 6mm to be exact. I'm also looking in to assembling it without fasteners. That means either welding, or possibly even brazing.
Sometimes it comes down to the trivial things... Once again, I didn't get a whole lot done last night. I did manage to start working on the interior and component mounting. This may may be my favorite part, as I absolutely love making the most of available space. As with the Rogue, there will be lots of one piece parts that will have multiple bends in them. I think I've started on a design that is both very strong, yet space efficient. Expect an update on that in the next few days. Also on my mind, has been a possible name for this project. There's been lots of crappy names that have bounced through my head, and very few good ones. Of course, originality is important. Right now, I think the best two are Nemesis, and Protos... Not sure which, or why. Any thoughts?
Nemesis and protos, eh? ...Protosis? Proptosis? Exophthalmos! Seriously though, NZXT has already taken Nemesis. I'd go with Protos.
Dang it... I just googled the NZXT Nemesis... Lol, how could I have missed that? Well, that's definitely out then. So, that's one for Protos. I was really wanted to use Ares, but Asus has that one already...
cool, so all assembled in to one piece? To me that seems like a bit of a bad idea, because if you need to fix, move, mod, etc, something, you have to crack the case open... Maybe have an inner and outer shell, and just slide one out of the other? that or something smiliar... you can always stealth a hinge or something still, good planning
The outer shell will be one piece. The interior will be mounted on a central tray and slide out complete... radiator and everything. I want it to be relatively simple to work on. Since the interior will slide out complete, it will effectively become a test bench, and not require the rest of the case to function.
Sounds like my current setup... My current setup is housed in a solid outer shell and all the components are attached to a central tray and they all slide out from the back. Setup in "shell" Setup in alternative testbench As you can see, I made two different "housings" for the tray... One that is completely closed, and one that can be used as a test-bench.
Outstanding! I love your implementation. I decided after I built the Rogue, that I wasn't going to make another case that was so hard to work on. The first concept was Duality, and that was designed to have parts swappable in 30 seconds or less. This project won't be on that level, but still much easier just the same. I've even planned on putting fold-out feet on the back of the motherboard tray.
Heh... Thanks. Well I would've loved to work a bit more on the design of that case, but I ran out of time (like usual), as the case had to be finished for a LAN here in Finland. The other thing that is limiting me at the moment is that fact that I live in a 2 room appartment with no room for modding. Besides I really don't have enough tools to do anything big. I'm really waiting to see this case of yours. Really sounds like its gonna be too good to be true
Yeah, room for modding is critical. Even though I have a house, I've never had a dedicated place to work either. Granted, I took over a space in my basement, but it was hard to keep the mess contained. I also was working on a card table... That's why I'm looking forward to my new workshop. To good to be true, huh? Well, the funny thing is, I decided to build this case instead of Duality because it was cheaper. I couldn't justify the extra cost of the other project right now. Not to mention that I really wanted a 'simple' LAN box. With me, nothing is ever really simple though, and this project has grown in scope and detail, but luckily not in physical size. I'm one for the engineering, and sometimes designing a case is just as much fun as building. I love moving components around, and seeing how they fit together. I guess that's why I love SFF in general. It forces you to think about space and efficiency in design, because if you don't, you'll have an underperforming toaster...
...and we have a name for this project... It will be OSIDIAS, and I've got to give my wife credit for coming up it. It's sad how much I concentrated on this trivial little detail, but I was convinced that I wanted something completely original. I think I've found it. Over the last few days I've been making up a parts list. It's amazing how much aluminum will find it's way in to this box. I'm planning on making the outer shell out of a single piece of aluminum. I'll cut all the holes, then bend accordingly. Should be fun, huh? Also, as mentioned earlier, I'm going to braze all the parts together. This will free up any concerns about fastening parts together, and will guarantee a rock solid case. I also like the idea of no exposed fasteners anywhere on the case. This will be a new technique for me, and one that is rarely used in modding in general. I'm sure it's been done, but I can't name a project that incorporates it. So, I've got to finish Project: Hutch, then this will start immediately after. I'm guessing in a month or so.
so any usb, audio, firewire posts and power and reset will be on the internal piece and will be able to slide out without interfereing with the outershell? if so, i like. How do you plan to have it come out? like on wheels, snap out, rails, etc? hope to hear more
The plan is to use the same touch contacts I used on the Rogue. It would eliminate most of the wiring. I could have absolutely everything slide out, but it's not really necessary, and the tight clearances won't allow it. The tray will be held in place by simple rails on the top and bottom. I had thought about using drawer slides, but I honestly don't have the room. Extra space inside is measured in millimeters...
