$20 Modded Case from Target

J

jeff_addison

n00b
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
17
I am on a very tight budget when it comes to case modding, but I still wanted something that looks classy and not overdone.This a storage bin that is sold at Target($10). I used a Dremal to cut the holes. The internal shelf is sold seperately($5). The motherboard and rear I/O panel are mounted to it and slide out in one piece. The access door is also sold seperately($5). Total labor was only about 3 or 4 hours. The El lite, fan, and fan guard were purchased at Xoxide for under $10. I have a large reused power supply fan cut into the top that sits directly over the CPU that pulls cool air in. The side fan exausts the warm air on the top half and the power supply fan exausts the warm air on the bottem half. I like having easy access to the I/O panel. It beats having to turn the case around when I want to hook something up. I also mounted my power switch on that side as well.
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7804/frontrightwflash.jpg
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9980/frontrightnoflash.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/4802/frontleftwithflash.jpg
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4770/frontleftnoflash.jpg
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6058/dooropenwflash.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1867/dooropennoflash.jpg
 
The plastic seems very durable. All of the edges have a half inch ridge and the side panels are at least an 1/8th inch thick. I doubt I will use it more than a couple of years.
 
my hats off to you! that is an awesome minimalistic case! Really clean looking, but what kind of temps are you getting with that cube?
 
That's badass. I really like that. The only thing I do not like is how the optical drive is mounted, but other then that, very cool case.
 
I was about to drive out to target to get that 'case' until I saw the pics and description.

Nice mod!
 
Cooling is a very good, actually. My only real heat issue are the hard drives. I added the metal bracket after I could feel the the drives were getting too hot to touch. The metal reduced the heat enough to satisfy me for now, but I plan to address the issue later.
 
I think it's sick, but yeah, it does look like the shelf that the mobo sits on could use some reinforcement.
 
That's pretty neat. I had similar idea; I wanted to use an old plastic locker for a case. Never got around to it though, and threw it out.
Anyways, cheers. I like it, I might do a similar thing down the road if I feel up to it.
 
Yea, the mobo and shelf are bent a little. It's not perfect. I am sure if I spent more time, I could have made things a lot better. I just didn't have the time.
 
im thinking cutting the door panel bottom corner out so you can access the dvd drive without opening it maybe...thats all i would have done differently but i say nice work!
 
jeff_addison said:
Yea, the mobo and shelf are bent a little. It's not perfect. I am sure if I spent more time, I could have made things a lot better. I just didn't have the time.
Click to expand...

I would definitely reinforce that mobo tray. With the board bending like that it is stressing solder and will no doubt fail sooner than later. But it is a really cool idea, get the execution right and it will be awesome.
 
very nice. That makes me want to make a trip to target. lol I will have to agree with Helicopter, though. That mobo tray makes me a little nervous. It doesn't look like the board is bending too much, but a dowel running the width would make things a bit more solid. I'm impressed, though.
 
Thanks for the compliments and feedback. The nice thing about this is that if I screw it up or want to make changes, the cost for a new one is next to nothing. I do plan on pulling the motherboard tray and reinforcing it with a small alluminum angle bracket or metal screw rod from Lowes. I also noticed that my stand off's are uniform except for the one on that corner. It looks to be a tad longer than the others and makes the bend worse. That will be replaced immediately.
 
Well done man. Simple, cheap and effective. Damn if it doesn't look good too.
 
Just wanted to update this post and let everyone know that Target came out with an updated shelf (motherboard tray) that is stiffer and is not warped and does not warp. System is holding up very well. The new shelf (tray) really looks better and puts my mind at ease about the motherboard. Also, these cubes come in black, blue, red, white, green, and purple.

The blue eel light around the edge did not last very long at all. I replaced it under warranty, and the replacement didn't last either.
 
Nice ... Making something cool from a cheap piece of crap. This is what modding is all about!
 
old thread. that being said it is an interesting project. I'd have some concerns about the cooling. where does the cool air come in from? Looks like the top has 2 fans, the bottom only has the PSU fan. They both would be pulling air in from the gaps in the door. probably not enough. I'd probably also cut out a bottom right square from the door so the dvd could be used without opening. and i'd hack apart a junk case and use the tray/back from to put the motherboard on. anyway thanks for sharing
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top