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those 70mm still is above the SFX height which is 63.5mm. That means you have to grab the PSU in more places than just back instead of it being held just by the top and the bottom of the case.
Yeah, I know, its just that you've got completely different ideology for your design. I prefer lowest amount of multipurpose parts as possible rather than multiple simple pieces welded to the frame.
Anyway I think you should reconsider your external design. There's no wow-factor to it and I believe attaching panels to the frame will make the edges come together uneven which wont look nice. Also the vent on the front is a bad idea for the looks and the loudness.
I definitely agree about the exterior. Right now it just looks like a box lol.
You're like the 10th person to tell me about the vent on the front, so I'm definitely removing them. They're in the "Planned Feature Downgrade" section for both designs.
I'm trying to come up with a slick looking exterior for the next iteration. Getting rid of the front panel vents will help, but the main issue is probably attaching the top and bottom panels, as you've pointed out. The thing is, I definitely want to keep the feature of removable panels. I'll probably have to do some serious brainstorming to figure it out.
Can't you have the edges be a part of the mainframe and have the panels screwed into it in the center?
I'm sorry for my lacking vocabulary, I can't quite describe what's in my mind.. hmmm... something like having the panels as plain sheets with four screw holes in them. and on the mainframe's corners there are corresponding screw holes going inwards. When you close the panels, it's like you're shutting an opening in the case, so the edges -of the mainframe- are still visible, and you screw the panel into the center of the case.
Edit:
Somewhat like this
I think the way you're describing is basically the way it's currently being done. What I'm trying to figure out is a way to attach panels such that there will be no screws visible on the top or bottom panel itself.
Would it be possible to have the panels fold back behind the back and use two screws there like every regular Midi-tower does? You may want to look at the Kimera Industries Nova for inspiration on that part, Aibo did a really good job of implementing that with regular sheet metal bending techniques.
Also thinking about magnets. Is there a reason why nobody's doing that?
Probably because it would have to be very strong magnets to securely hold the panels on and that would make people nervous.
all these homemade cases are a bunch of sharp boxes.
all these homemade cases are a bunch of sharp boxes.
all these homemade cases are a bunch of sharp boxes.
Would you like a sphere instead?
About the magnets: I know there is a case that does actually use magnets, but I can't for the life of me remember the name or manufacturer. It's in the resort of steam-box cases, though.
all these homemade cases are a bunch of sharp boxes.
That shit is fucking bananas. How does it exhaust hot air?
There's air gaps on both sides, definitely a unique itx case, and a deserving MOTM winner.
That shit is fucking bananas. How does it exhaust hot air?
There's air gaps on both sides, definitely a unique itx case, and a deserving MOTM winner.
Yeah, definitely. No CNC router too, think about the amount of work put into that...
Update 2/9/2015:
Just spent the entire weekend on Makeathon, which is a school sponsored event for you to build something. I took this opportunity to do an extremely rough prototype of the Minimal Steam Box skeleton using a water jet cutter. Here are my conclusions:
1) 1.5 mm aluminum is definitely thick enough.2) Cable management holes are very helpful. My Flex ATX PSU is non-modular, yet most of the cables, used or not, is hidden. However, I need to make some changes to it so that it is easier to attach zip ties/velcro ties.3) I allocated too much room for the GPU. This means I can definitely make the internal layout even more compact.4) Using a PCIe riser card is not a good idea. Better to use a PCIe riser cable.
Pictures:
Raw Skeleton 1:
Raw Skeleton 2:
Assembled PC:
Assembled PC Top View:
Cable Management 1:
Cable Management 2:
Cable Management 3:
Wow, you should have let us know you updated the OP with your prototype
Nothing like getting even a rough physical prototype to help guide the design process.
Yeah, it's super useful to rough prototype! I actually found a few places to save space and add components.
Next time, should I just reply to my own thread to bump the topic? I wasn't sure how to let people know lol.
Either a heads up or just post the new pics would work. I usually just check the end of the thread for new posts.
Pretty awesome that you got to play around with a water jet cutter, they're really cool machines.
How did you do the bends?
Very nice to see it taking some kind of shape already Are you sure you can scrape off space for the GPU? You didn't install the panel mounted power cord in the pictures, and that needs to go somewhere.
Also the support for higher GPUs will be very important to some people.
I like the idea.
Thanks man! Having a physical model actually helps with the design too, since when I'm stuck during CAD because I'm not sure about a dimension, I can just pick up the actual frame and measure it.
I think that the space between the GPU and the motherboard is kind of unnecessary. I can maybe take away 10mm there. It's not in the pictures, but I did throw in the panel-mounted power cord later. There's still plenty of space. The orientation (up or down) of the 90 deg power cord adapter is a bit problematic though, and that's what I'm working through right now.
When you say "higher GPU", are you talking about the length or the thickness? If you're talking about length, I think that will be a problem for the second design. The first design is just concerned with taking up as little volume as possible without sacrificing TOO much GPU compatibility. If you're talking about the thickness, I think it should be enough. The GPU I used (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N773JJM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) has thickness of 43mm, and the thickest GPU I could find online is 46mm. From what I see in the rough prototype, there is another 5-10mm left.
I see! Well if you wanted to get rid of those 10mm, you'd have to use a short, flexible riser, like the NCASE Steambox case will do. They decided on that for the exact same reason: it gives more flexibility with placement.
With higher, I mean wider. A lot of graphics cards with non-stock coolers have cooling systems that protrude over the side of the card. This is done to allow for bigger fans and beefier heatsinks, and quite a few people will want to use those.
Thickness is a concern, too, but with a flexible riser, you can use the maximum possible amount of space. I think it will be fine in that regard.
The design is similar to a azza 203 mini
I couldn't find the case you're talking about on google. link?
He was talking about the Azza 103 (http://azzatek.com/csaz-103.html), not the 203.
They are a bit similar. TBH, there are not that many possible component configurations with Steambox-type cases.
Is that wood (the renders in the survey)? Looks very nice.
Thanks! Yeah, it's wood. I'm iterating with my designer and the manufacturer on a bunch of other exterior looks. Hopefully we can come up with something that looks nice and is cheap to produce.
Even if you don't go with wood, which I think wouldn't quite fancy everyone, you could at least stick with the engraved lines that span the case as that looks excellent. That in itself is enough to give some flare to the case.
Maybe you could even use a different color on the lines to make them pop.
I think decals would look great on the case and would appeal to the nit-picky audience, especially if theyre removable.
I would personally want design 2 because it gives me more room to house powerful components, but in black with stylish engravings of your choice.