Custom PC

[bleeblak8]

Hey All, This is my first time doing a custom mod. I had an idea after seeing a mod of a guy turning an Xbox case into a computer, that it would be cool to build a LAN box so I didn't have to take my huge tower whenever I wanted to LAN and risk my data getting damaged in the move.

But in the process of building that PC I ran into a problem with heat. Which given the hardware I am using, It shouldn't be too much heat. The 5770 would be my only concern.

So now I am building a Custom case to fit on the back of a 22inch Samsung Monitor. I have a couple Google Sketchup Drawings that I've been working on. I will hopfully have the metal part drawn out tonight and will upload to give a better feel of what it will look like.


Specs:

Intel i3-530
Intel BOXDH57JG Mini ITX Mobo
2x2gb Gskill DDR3 1333 Ram
FSP Group 460 Watt PSU
XFX 5770
WD 250 Scorpio Black
Lite-On Slot Load CD Drive

Pictures of the Xbox Case Mod.

The Mobo tray use to be the top of a 1U server case. But I was planning on getting some metal and redoing the tray, but in turn of what I'm doing now, I won't worry about it.

I will be updating as I can. I hope to have this done in a couple weeks. Just have to figure out the sizes of metal and get them cut and bent.

 

[bleeblak8]

Just a Small Update of what I've been working on. Got the sheetmetal in place on where I think I want it. Have the USB and Audio mounted along with a power switch. I do hope to have the drawing part done by this weekend at the latest and have the metal in my hands by next week. Lets hope all goes as planned.

 

[phiberoptik]

haha nostalgic!!

 

[bleeblak8]

Well the metal is getting bent, and when its finished I will be sure to upload pics of the progress. I won't be putting the USB from panel on just yet. I'll slowly be working up to that. Will keep everyone posted. Until next time.

 

[bleeblak8]

Finally got the steel from the guys in the plant. Was hoping to do some work later this week but my cars water pump went out so have to replace that. I hope to do some work this next week and have it done before Thanksgiving. Here are a couple pictures of the steel I got. They made one with cut outs and also gave a couple blanks. Lets hope I don't need them.

 

[bleeblak8]

Here is an update of what I have done so far. Got everything mounted to the Motherboard tray, just have to work out how I'm going to mount the mobo tray to the back of the monitor. But I think I have an idea. I have a 92mm fan on order, once that gets here, I will put a hole in the tray right above the mobo and then it should be time to build the meshed metal cover for it.

 

[DeChache]

very nice

 

[cj3waker]

that sick man, you planning on going wired or wireless keyboard/mouse?

and i just built a mini itx along the same lines. Im using a scythe shuriken as my cpu cooler. dead quiet and way better than the stock, and its cheap, and you can still use your pcie slot with it. You should get one

 

[bleeblak8]

So after modifying the monitor backplate, I have finally got the whole rig mounted. I also had to weld the stand of the monitor to a locked position so there is no more tilting the monitor, a feature I rarely used anyways. The next step is to build the shell around the open parts out of aluminum L pieces and Meshed metal. I'll also be mounting the 92mm fan for a little air flow.

Enjoy the pics.

Questions and Comments are always welcome.

 

[vsboxerboy]

Pretty cool but how do you keep thieves / idiots from messing with your gear?

 

[bleeblak8]

Pretty cool but how do you keep thieves / idiots from messing with your gear?

What do you mean by that? Like having the back of it open like that with the componets exposed?

I will be making a shell to go around it. So it will be enclosed so idiots don't touch my stuff with there ESD.


Thanks for looking, and commenting. Hope that answeres the question.

 

[bleeblak8]

So after a couple weeks with no update and the weather changing, I was finally able to get some metal to finish this little project up. Its not 100% but just minor things need to happen like paint and mounting the fan. I will also be repositioning my CD drive so its not mounted at the same place the hard drive is.

Here are some pics of what I've been doing, welding the cage and riviting the stainless mesh onto it. Just need to paint it and finish it up. Should have it done by the end of the week if all goes well.

With Red Cold Cathodes inside so you can see the components.

 

[Skids1]

Is this an easy bake oven? How do you change out the light bulb when it dies? JK Nice job buddy

 

[bleeblak8]

Is this an easy bake oven? How do you change out the light bulb when it dies? JK Nice job buddy

Well I go to your house and get an extra bulb from your oven. So Ha. JK. Thanks Skids

 

[gathagan]

Nice job.
We all like the pretty stuff, but it's nice to see a simple, effective utility mod.
All it needs is a handle to make it easy to carry.

 

[S[H]ady]

awesome idea! And it made the front page of [H] too!

Looks a little crude at the moment, but i'm betting paint will make it look much better.
Go with black, it will look better if it matches the monitor.

good job either way. pretty creative to say the least

 

[bleeblak8]

awesome idea! And it made the front page of [H] too!

Looks a little crude at the moment, but i'm betting paint will make it look much better.
Go with black, it will look better if it matches the monitor.

good job either way. pretty creative to say the least

What do you mean it made the front page of [H]?

Yes I will be painting it Black to match the monitor, I still need to get a stand built for it. Having all that weight hang off the monitor isn't good. And I will be putting a handle on it when I redo the piece for the stand.

Thanks for the comments. Its been quite the little project.

 

[cj3waker]

looks good man. A little paint would seem to go a long way, and id pick up an aftermarket low profile cooler. It would be much quieter than the stock intel. im using a scythe shuriken on my mini itx and it rocks.

and id lose the LEDs, but thats purely my pov

 

[bleeblak8]

While off from work for the holiday, I decided to work on the box some more. A fellow coworker suggested to make extended plugs so its a little easier to hook up. And I was trying to think up ways to do this. And from brainstorming ideas I came up with this. Its simple and does what I need. Plus i used the USB headers I had from the other box. Just had to cut and solder the ends to actual usb plugs, and the power was easy, just used an old PSU power plug and soldered 2 cables to it. I was also able to find a short 18 inch DVI cable so I don't have a massive 6 foot cable hanging off the back. Gives it more of a cleaner look.
So let me know what you all think. As I've said before, I hope to have it done soon. For the most part I think I could paint it and be happy, but I like to tinker with it and get it just right.

Thanks all, and until next time.....

Back view

Side View

 

[FrEaKy]

nifty idea!

 

[C7J0yc3]

That has to be one of the coolest LAN builds I have seen in a while! Nice job man!

 

[bleeblak8]

Update coming soon. Sorry its been a while, didn't want to work on it if we were going to game.
I started to finish it and used to much heat in welding some pieces on, so the metal warped and I had to start over for the Motherboard tray. But I've got it to the point I can finish now. Just have to weld some nuts to secure the mobo tray to the cage and get everything painted. Will update when I get pics taken. But yes the end is near, after more than a year its finally going to get done.

It was getting bad, the metal was starting to rust so I needed to use the sand blaster and get rid of that rust, which gives the paint a nice place to stick to.

 

[AthlonXP]

Wow very nice mod here..

 

[bleeblak8]

A little bit of [H]ard love

I may paint the monitor to clean it up a bit. And the mobo tray still needs to be painted.

 

[mannyman]

Sweet!