Vintage radio as SFF enclosure

graff

n00b
Joined
Jul 4, 2011
Messages
5
Been wanting to build a SFF system for a while, but could never find the perfect enclosure. The I stumbled on the (unoriginal) idea of using a vintage tube radio as a case. Turns out that lots of very cool radios are available for low price (just search ebay).

Anyway, i use my system for surfing and checking email. not gaming or serious demands. so i decided to use the intel onboard graphics. been pleased for my simple needs. here is my config:

Mobo:
Asrock H67-ITX
CPU:
Intel Core i5-2500
RAM:
1x4GB G.SKILL F3-10600CL9S-4GBNT
HDD:
1TB SEAGATE 7K ST31000528AS
CASE
FAN:GELID FN-SX12-10 R

I reconfigured the radio knobs on the front. on the far right is the pc on/off. in the middle is a USB port. and the other knob is just a dummy for now. Note all 3 knobs in place in the first picture (other pictures are before knobs were complete)...I completely refinished the cabinet - was in rough shape as received.... but it only cost $75 for the radio...


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That's nice! Do the front controls do anything?

EDIT: Never mind. Reading comprehension fail.
 
Very nice job and great choice of radio for the case.

Now my problem is that my wife is wanting one. :p
 
Nice case! But why a i2500 for checking email? Could have used a Celeron 420 (and 775 mobo ofc...)...
 
Nice case! But why a i2500 for checking email? Could have used a Celeron 420 (and 775 mobo ofc...)...

In this case, I guess it means future proofing! :D

Nice build. Perhaps I missed it, but what PSU did you use?
 
In this case, I guess it means future proofing! :D

Nice build. Perhaps I missed it, but what PSU did you use?



Yeah, the CPU is overkill, but I was thinking of future proofing. I want this to last a long time. This PC replaces an iMac that I bought in Jan 2002 (just weeks before the intel imacs were announced). That computer did not hold up well (mainly cause new applications only supported intel processor...).

Actually I intended to buy the 2400S due to low TDP, but could not find anybody stocking this part.

For the PSU, I used SeaSonic SS-300SFD. This is a SFX form factor 300W supply. Nice small form factor (though pricey)
 
Yeah, the CPU is overkill, but I was thinking of future proofing. I want this to last a long time. This PC replaces an iMac that I bought in Jan 2002 (just weeks before the intel imacs were announced). That computer did not hold up well (mainly cause new applications only supported intel processor...).

Jan '02? Are you sure about that? Did you mean Jan '06?

Yeah, the 2500 should last you a very long time. Now you can enjoy 1080p videos and Flash! (I have a few Macs, flash doesn't always work well)
 
Jan '02? Are you sure about that? Did you mean Jan '06?

Yeah, the 2500 should last you a very long time. Now you can enjoy 1080p videos and Flash! (I have a few Macs, flash doesn't always work well)

yeah, Jan '06... thx
 
Nice work, I'm thinking about a similar build with an old 70's zenith radio I have.
 
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