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The case has two form factors, 7l desktop and 20l tower, and three base layouts (two for tower and one for desktop).
I plan to use desktop form factor for APU builds or builds with entry-level GPUs. The tower form factor is for mid to high-end gaming GPUs and maybe even for water cooling if I ever decide to go that route.
Design goals I have for the case:
- wide compatibility with standardized components;
- small form factor;
- sleek and elegant looks;
- tower with vents only on the back and bottom panels, without visible screws and cables;
- desktop can be used as monitor stand.
Technical data and component compatibility:
- tower dimensions: 444mm x 225mm x 205mm (height x width x depth), 20l volume;
- desktop dimensions: 70mm x 444mm x 225mm (height x width x depth), 7l volume;
- material: aluminium (undecided on finish -current rendered photos are with brushed aluminium);
- motherboard support: mini-ITX;
- power supply compatibility: SFX, SFX-L (both tower and desktop form factor) and ATX (only tower).
Component compatibility for tower in rotated 90° layout:
- CPU cooler height: ≤ 181mm (without case fans on the back panel);
- GPU length: ≤ 376mm (with 60mm free space for motherboard and GPU cable management);
- GPU height: ≤ 59mm (2.9 slots).
Component compatibility for tower in sandwich layout:
- 205mm can be split between CPU cooler height and GPU height;
- GPU length: ≤ 376mm (with 60mm free space for motherboard and GPU cable management).
Component compatibility for desktop:
- CPU cooler height: ≤49mm;
- GPU length: ≤ 220mm;
- GPU height: ≤ 52mm (2.5 slots);
- GPU width: ≤ 130mm (with installed SFX/SFX-L PSU).
Transformer case has support for:
- fans (2x 140mm or 4x 92mm back + 1x 140mm or 4x 92mm bottom), and
- water cooling radiators (1x 280mm back + 1x 140mm bottom).
Size comparison:
Please contribute!
I am very excited that the project is nearing its palpable state and would like to collaborate with the community to make something truly great.
Here are the things I am having doubts/problems with and would like your advice/opinion:
- Power button placement in tower form factor. Currently the button is at the bottom of the case. This is probably not great for functionality but it fits with minimalistic design.
- I have decided to present the case with these elongated honeycomb vents, which were inspired by a front grill from one of Ford's cars, but I am still going back and forth between this and my original idea. The original idea for the case in tower form factor was to make it look like a speaker. This means vents at the back would be either a honeycomb metal mesh or some sort of fabric.
- How to incorporate dust filters? Achieving positive air pressure will be difficult so I think dust filters will be necessary.
- What are the best practices for noise insulation and cable routing?
- What do you think should be added for the case to be more transformable and compatible with even more components?
