My first real mod...

[Tim White]

I am in the mood for making a mod case but I'm having a tough time finding inspiration.

Anyone have any good ideas for a case? Something they've always wanted to see? I wont be doing any acrylic (other than windows maybe) and I won't be using any exotic materials such as carbon fiber etc. (just not in the budget)

Let's hear some good ideas, inspire me please...

[Olin Coles]

I used to have a bug for modifying my computer case; but that was back when beige was an acceptable color and manufacturers didn't offer any personality with their products. Now there seems to be a case to fit every occasion, and that saves me a whole lot of time.

I've seen some crazy builds though. One of my favorites is a total reconstruction that puts the entire computer in a super-small enclosure. For me, the ultimate mod would be creating a system that fits in the drawer of my desk and interfaces through the front panel. That, to me, would be cool.

[XJnine]

You know, I've though about something similar except I've always wanted to mount everything to the underside of my desk. Off the floor and out of the way!

[Olle P]

I guess my computer is the biggest around here... counting the case size.
65cm (25½") high (including wheels), 34cm (13½") wide and 76cm (30") deep.

It's my own design and build, most of it is made from cheap 12mm board.
Apart from the actual computer parts it houses two noise traps (air intake and outlet) and all 230V AC equipment related to the computer such as transformers for the loudspeakers and joystick.

Cheers
Olle

[XJnine]

Pics? Sounds interesting...

[Olle P]

I'm in the process of writing an in-depth article (description) about the whole project, and that article isn't finished yet.
I have written a bit about it in Swedish, but hasn't updated that info in quite a while.

Anyway, here used to be some pictures from the build process:
- - -
This is a picture from the front end. At the bottom you can see the dust filters covering the air intakes. You can also see some white rails where the actual computer is to slide in.
At the rear is the hole for two exhaust fans, in front of the rear noise trap.
At the left side is the large, removable, access panel.
- - -
A better view of the access panel.
- - -
View from the rear/underside. Here the exhaust holes are visible as well as the filtered air intakes.
- - -
Here's the mounting for the actual computer parts. The air intake at the bottom is provided by three 12cm fans, two of which are mounted in the picture.

Edit: The server I used is gone. Some pictures of that old project are available here (http://cid-35e8ae106f74bade.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Datorn/Oldies) instead.

Cheers
Olle

[Werner Wischerath]

Thread jumpstart! I agree with the small form factor. Every case I look at I wonder if I can shrink it. And they're ITX to start with! Of course that would be with keeping it capable of gaming.

[Olle P]

SFF gaming computer is no sweat. The tricky part is to also make it quiet! SPCR had some success (http://www.silentpcreview.com/Silent_Gaming_System_Build_Guide/SFF_Config) though...

Cheers
Olle

[Werner Wischerath]

Actually, in my case SFF is the only option. Currently working overseas and must be able to pack it up and move at any time. And I have always been fascinated with making things powerful, yet small. Even If I was home, I would likely build SFF (just maybe a wee bit bigger than I am buildings so GPU wouldnt be so limited in choices)