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Ok I have a few questions for the more experience modders out there. I am going to be undertaking a fairl large case project this semester and need some help. I am an engineering student so I want to also use this as a learning experience. I plan on literally designing a case from scratch. Here is my rough idea of basic layout. I plan on making a basic fram from L shaped aluminum riveted into a 22 X 9 X 25 box I believe DxWxH. Its going to be a full tower of my own design. I plan on using aluminum sheets for the sides of the case.
My main concerns
1. I need to be able to make a accurate schematic of where I want everything and how I want it done. Does anyone have a copy of a schematic of a Full tower that I can use as a starter for my own.
2. My biggest concern is the Motherboard tray and the drive cages. I have some ideas for the drive cages but i have a feeling this is going to be difficult to line up.
3. I want the case to be functional and still look good so I would like to be able to incorperate the back IO panel that comes with a motherboard.
4. Another big concern is the section of the case where I plan on putting the PCI cards. This section I think is going to be the hardest to design. I actually have an idea to stealth the drives so I dont think that should be a problem.
5. I want to do this with as few tools as possible Perferably just keeping it down to riveter dremel and drill. I might need a tool to bend the metal with But I would rather avoid that.
As you realize when designing a case the dimensions need to be very accurate to make it all line up properly thats why I would like a few schematics of existing full towers if they can be found to aide me. If not I can take an extra cheap case I have and measure with it but that is going to be difficult. I think I am going to spend about 2 weeks on the schematic and design before I begin framing it up.
Also I would be very open to any suggesstions on dimensions to use for a full tower. I thought about scavenging the drive cages and back panel from another computer but that ruins the entire purpose I was trying to achieve.
Also this is going to be going against many normal conceptions of how a tower should work and what it should look like. I plan on reorganizing everythings place in the case to suit my purposes better. For example I plan on having the PSU at the bottom of the case because I find that with cases designed this way wiring is much simpler as long as you have a long enough cable for the disk and hdd drives. I will be putting the Motherboard up near the top of the case with a little sections designed for wiring that should come out of the bottom of the case such as a mouse and keyboard cord if it is a on top of desk solution. I also plan on using all 250mm fans for intake and exhaust. I plan on having an intake at the front of the case somewhere. I dont know how I am going to stealth it yet or if I plan on making a design around it like the aerocools. The other intake will be on the bottom of the case and the case will be elevated by about 3 inches by these handle things that match the handles on the top of the case. The exaust will be where the PSU on most cases is because this is the logical place other than directly on top since heat rises. I may have a side Fan that also blows directly onto the motherboard which at 250mm should effectivly cool nb sb GPU and CPU if positioned right. I have a few other cool design ideas I plan on putting it in but I want those to be a surprise.
What do you all think? I have a feeling its going to be like a frankenstien monster of cases but should be more functional and practical than most cases we see today. Also because of the 250mm fans I think this case should be just about the quietest pc on the market, provided I can find them at a reasonable price.
I dont plan on starting the actual building of the case for at least a month I think because I want to make a full schematic of the case before I build it and I have a feeling this could take a while.
My main concerns
1. I need to be able to make a accurate schematic of where I want everything and how I want it done. Does anyone have a copy of a schematic of a Full tower that I can use as a starter for my own.
2. My biggest concern is the Motherboard tray and the drive cages. I have some ideas for the drive cages but i have a feeling this is going to be difficult to line up.
3. I want the case to be functional and still look good so I would like to be able to incorperate the back IO panel that comes with a motherboard.
4. Another big concern is the section of the case where I plan on putting the PCI cards. This section I think is going to be the hardest to design. I actually have an idea to stealth the drives so I dont think that should be a problem.
5. I want to do this with as few tools as possible Perferably just keeping it down to riveter dremel and drill. I might need a tool to bend the metal with But I would rather avoid that.
As you realize when designing a case the dimensions need to be very accurate to make it all line up properly thats why I would like a few schematics of existing full towers if they can be found to aide me. If not I can take an extra cheap case I have and measure with it but that is going to be difficult. I think I am going to spend about 2 weeks on the schematic and design before I begin framing it up.
Also I would be very open to any suggesstions on dimensions to use for a full tower. I thought about scavenging the drive cages and back panel from another computer but that ruins the entire purpose I was trying to achieve.
Also this is going to be going against many normal conceptions of how a tower should work and what it should look like. I plan on reorganizing everythings place in the case to suit my purposes better. For example I plan on having the PSU at the bottom of the case because I find that with cases designed this way wiring is much simpler as long as you have a long enough cable for the disk and hdd drives. I will be putting the Motherboard up near the top of the case with a little sections designed for wiring that should come out of the bottom of the case such as a mouse and keyboard cord if it is a on top of desk solution. I also plan on using all 250mm fans for intake and exhaust. I plan on having an intake at the front of the case somewhere. I dont know how I am going to stealth it yet or if I plan on making a design around it like the aerocools. The other intake will be on the bottom of the case and the case will be elevated by about 3 inches by these handle things that match the handles on the top of the case. The exaust will be where the PSU on most cases is because this is the logical place other than directly on top since heat rises. I may have a side Fan that also blows directly onto the motherboard which at 250mm should effectivly cool nb sb GPU and CPU if positioned right. I have a few other cool design ideas I plan on putting it in but I want those to be a surprise.
What do you all think? I have a feeling its going to be like a frankenstien monster of cases but should be more functional and practical than most cases we see today. Also because of the 250mm fans I think this case should be just about the quietest pc on the market, provided I can find them at a reasonable price.
I dont plan on starting the actual building of the case for at least a month I think because I want to make a full schematic of the case before I build it and I have a feeling this could take a while.
