M3A2 Beta Project: Discontinued

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I can't remember if there was a response, but I seem to remember someone inquiring about whether it was possible to get pre-cut / -scored punchouts on the back for RP-SMA antennas, did you ever get a chance to look into that as a possibility?

(Example, the case for my router had these holes on the front of the case for more antennas):

RSPROSYSFRONTGUIDE.jpg


I probably wouldn't initially put a wireless miniPCIe card in, but it would be nice to have the option to at a later date.
 
JoeH823 said:
I can't remember if there was a response, but I seem to remember someone inquiring about whether it was possible to get pre-cut / -scored punchouts on the back for RP-SMA antennas, did you ever get a chance to look into that as a possibility?

(Example, the case for my router had these holes on the front of the case for more antennas):

...snip...

I probably wouldn't initially put a wireless miniPCIe card in, but it would be nice to have the option to at a later date.
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Yeah, I remember that coming up. IIRC I never got a response back when I asked where the preferred location on the back of the case would be. Care to weigh in on that?

Because of the thickness of the material (4mm) a knock-out isn't a viable option. It's no problem to have put cutouts in place. Just have to figure a way of covering them when they aren't used. The antenna cutouts are something I'll do upon request per case, but not across everything single case.
 
Does that 1.6mm gap take into account of SMT components or backplate if present?
 
vipz said:
Does that 1.6mm gap take into account of SMT components or backplate if present?
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Good question. I'll check my GPU model in comparison to an actual GPU to see how the values compare. I don't remember if the face on the GPU model closest to the drive bracket represents only the PCB or is inclusive of the SMT that occupies that face.
 
CMadki4 said:
Yeah, I remember that coming up. IIRC I never got a response back when I asked where the preferred location on the back of the case would be. Care to weigh in on that?
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I think it would depend on the hardware it was used with (for whether it's 2 antennas or three needed basically), but I would say as close to the corners as possible for two. So maybe one right next to the power supply cable, and one in the opposite corner above the GPU? I admit I'm not an expert on that sort of thing though.
 
JoeH823 said:
I think it would depend on the hardware it was used with (for whether it's 2 antennas or three needed basically), but I would say as close to the corners as possible for two. So maybe one right next to the power supply cable, and one in the opposite corner above the GPU? I admit I'm not an expert on that sort of thing though.
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Neither am I. I was thinking near the power plug as well. That way, when the case is stood vertically the antenna can stick straight up without interference. Not sure if there would interference from the power line or not.
 
CMadki4 said:
I wouldn't go as far as to say useless. That fan forces air over the drives mounted behind the GPU. Which, in combination with the drive bracket acting as a heat shield, prevents the drives being greatly effected by the heat generated by the GPU. It also helps generate positive pressure throughout the case.

Removing the fan would make room for a 3.5" HDD, but as pointed out by Necere this area can be a bit of a hot spot, and not an ideal place to a spinning HDD without proper air flow. This is also why the SSDs shown are separated, to keep them from being directly over the GPU chip area and a fan added to move cooler air through that area.

However, you can choose to not mount a fan there and easily fit in a 3.5" HDD if you wish. I'll add mounting holes to accommodate this.

Or

By moving the GPU all the way to the top and placing 2 fans beneath it, you've essentially eliminated the areas to mount any drives. No room above, and no room below without blocking air flow to the GPU.
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Fair point.

However my second suggestion by moving GPU all the way up, you can mount the drives at the bottom of the chassis, and put small side wall fans (need to open side vent on the chassis) between the GPU and HDDs. The space between GPU and the bottom of chassis of current setup, and the space between GPU fan and HDD in my suggested setup will be the same.
 
lvyelion said:
Fair point.

However my second suggestion by moving GPU all the way up, you can mount the drives at the bottom of the chassis, and put small side wall fans (need to open side vent on the chassis) between the GPU and HDDs. The space between GPU and the bottom of chassis of current setup, and the space between GPU fan and HDD in my suggested setup will be the same.
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If I'm understanding correctly: GPU on top, drives on bottom, fans on side?

I've gone through that permutation before, but had two qualms about it:

The only fans that would fit on the side panels are 80mm and those can be a bit noisy. I really want to stick 120mm fans if possible. Big selection of 120mm fans and generally quite of few of them are very quiet yet effective.

The other thing is that the width of the case (328mm) would have to be made 6mm wider just to fit the fans. And another 18-20mm would need to be added to accommodate GPUs with coolers that extended beyond the PCI bracket and/or PCB (which is most any GPU worth its salt these days). So the case would be around 25mm wider. Not a big really, but just one of those choices made to make the case as compact as possible.

I'm not completely opposed to the idea, but it has its drawbacks that I'd prefer to avoid. :)
 
CMadki4 said:
If I'm understanding correctly: GPU on top, drives on bottom, fans on side?

I've gone through that permutation before, but had two qualms about it:

The only fans that would fit on the side panels are 80mm and those can be a bit noisy. I really want to stick 120mm fans if possible. Big selection of 120mm fans and generally quite of few of them are very quiet yet effective.

The other thing is that the width of the case (328mm) would have to be made 6mm wider just to fit the fans. And another 18-20mm would need to be added to accommodate GPUs with coolers that extended beyond the PCI bracket and/or PCB (which is most any GPU worth its salt these days). So the case would be around 25mm wider. Not a big really, but just one of those choices made to make the case as compact as possible.

I'm not completely opposed to the idea, but it has its drawbacks that I'd prefer to avoid. :)
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True, there are certainly more cons than pros in that setup.

Its very interesting to see the thought process of making a very unique design.

Keep up the good work :p
 
All M3A2 Beta cases sold (except for one outstanding invoice). Estimated shipping date is still May 31st, barring any unforeseen issues or delays.
 
Big Power said:
When are we going to see some cuts?

I registered just to see this pup ;)
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Welcome to the forums!

I just machined some of my fixtures last night and will continue doing that this evening. I'll use these for clamping the aluminum panels on the machine table for cutting. Then I'll be cutting a test panel with samples of all the cutouts around the case on one piece. Sort of a test/demo piece, if you will.

Then I'll be making a complete case with all the adjustments made during the test/demo piece cutting.

I'll post pictures and maybe video as I progress. I'm going to be uber busy over the next few weeks, sorting things out, making part programs, babysitting the machine as it cuts and powder coating parts. But busy is good :)
 
CMadki4, I'm about to buy a mechanical HDD and would like your feedback. With the Corsair h60 in place in front of the short gpu the only room for the hdd would be over the gpu or the psu. I was leaning towards placing it over the psu as I don't want an optical drive. Would a 3.5" fit or do you recommend a 2.5"? I have silvertone's 450 sfx psu.
 
Ca11idus said:
CMadki4, I'm about to buy a mechanical HDD and would like your feedback. With the Corsair h60 in place in front of the short gpu the only room for the hdd would be over the gpu or the psu. I was leaning towards placing it over the psu as I don't want an optical drive. Would a 3.5" fit or do you recommend a 2.5"? I have silvertone's 450 sfx psu.
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Personally, I would recommend a 2.5" SSD, regardless of case. But in this case, you can go with a 3.5" for above the GPU or 2.5" over the PSU. Of the two I'd recommend the latter, if only to avoid the heat from the GPU.
 
I already have a 256GB mSATA SSD that is placed in the rear of the motherboard so the additional hard drive will be for extra storage.

PSU placement it is.
 
Ca11idus said:
I already have a 256GB mSATA SSD that is placed in the rear of the motherboard so the additional hard drive will be for extra storage.

PSU placement it is.
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Oh, that's right. I forgot you had the Z77E-ITX. Good choice. Love'd that board.
 
Do you know what the time frame for the next batch of cases is? And could you post a wait list or something like that (if the other members don't mind) so that I can know when to expect it.

Thanks
 
Ca11idus said:
Do you know what the time frame for the next batch of cases is? And could you post a wait list or something like that (if the other members don't mind) so that I can know when to expect it.

Thanks
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Beta cases won't be completed until the end of may. After that, beta recipients will have the opportunity build and use the case and provide feedback if they wish (which would be a huge help). If the beta model checks out, people are relatively happy with the case (form, finish, fit, thermals, etc.) then I'll consider the next step. The next step involves a large investment into a local aluminum extrusion company. Their lead time is 7 weeks to deliver the material. Then of course I have to make more cases.

As for a wait list, I don't believe it would be necessary. If the project succeeds further, production run sizes will be larger to meet demand.

Cliffs: Date for full production of cases is unknown.
 
Hello everyone! I haven't disappeared, just been super busy cutting parts :D Just wanted to give you all a quick update, show you some picks and then go lock myself in the shop again for another 8 hours. Things are coming along nicely. I'll post more pictures later.

Thanks!



 
Awesome CNC porn :cool:
Hey, is that a stargate I see under the panels in the last pic? nice!
 
CMadki4 said:
I guess you'd call it a unibody. Most cases are.

More pics coming in a minute...
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nah, most cases are internal frame that the panels all attach to. i would say this is unibody though since the exterior panels are the structural members. i did my scratch case the same way as i think it saves a lot of space and just makes sense for tiny cases. i am curious though how the panels are attached to each other? can you post some pics from the inside?
 
This is awesome! I am so glad I invested in this case. Any word on the Samuel 17 if it fits?

Awesome work Curt!
 
Wow, this is looking really nice. Makes me wish I hadn't decided to wait a little while. ;)
 
ekuest said:
.... i am curious though how the panels are attached to each other? can you post some pics from the inside?
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The panels are extruded aluminum profiles that have two bosses for that get tapped. The ends of the panels are machined to mate into one another, which also prevents any mounting screws being on the front panel for the cleanest possible appearance.

updawg said:
This is awesome! I am so glad I invested in this case. Any word on the Samuel 17 if it fits?

Awesome work Curt!
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I believe so, but I haven't made it to test fitting everything just yet, just individual components one at a time. I will today and get back to you.

And thank you!


JoeH823 said:
Wow, this is looking really nice. Makes me wish I hadn't decided to wait a little while. ;)
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Thanks! :D

ellroy80 said:
Looks awesome mate!!
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Thank you sir! :cool:
 
wow, not only does the case look good but that was amazingly quick..
I'm glad i'm on the waiting list lol
 
One question mate, are the cutouts for the USB3 ports recessed, so that the panel is thinner in that area and the USB ports sit closer to the front of the case?
 
Oh wow that case looks amazing! I kinda regret buying the Lian Li...just kinda.

Keep up the great work.
 
ellroy80 said:
One question mate, are the cutouts for the USB3 ports recessed, so that the panel is thinner in that area and the USB ports sit closer to the front of the case?
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Yes, the ports are recessed 2mm into the 4mm panel. Every USB device I could find around the house and shop fit all the way in without any issues.
geostation said:
wow, not only does the case look good but that was amazingly quick..
I'm glad i'm on the waiting list lol
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It has been a long process and it is still far form over. I had to crank 4 of them right away in time for a military technology convention in the UK this month. I've been killing myself over the past week trying to get things done!
Ca11idus said:
Oh wow that case looks amazing! I kinda regret buying the Lian Li...just kinda.

Keep up the great work.
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Thank you!
fixitman said:
Awesome CNC porn :cool:
Hey, is that a stargate I see under the panels in the last pic? nice!
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Oh, and I forgot to reply to you. Is that stargate you see?
tumblr_m17jmarYa51qeev4e.gif

:D
 
Damn, nearly getting tears in my eyes from the pics of the work. I love me some tool + work porn :)
I am loving this case! Originally, I just donated to help out, but now I think I will buy at least 2....
Heck, I would love to just get some of the extruded pieces to play with!
 
This looks amazing Cmadki4! I've been following this since the beginning and its awesome to see all the progress since the initial concept. Still a long way to go but just wanted to say great work so far!
 
what kind of riser card is that? it almost looks like you are using two of them
 
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