• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Project [.50 ITX]

J

JDM_WAAAAT

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 5, 2008
Messages
446
DAY 1

I'm definitely not the first person to do this mod, but I was commissioned to do it. (and I wanted to make it proper and not half-ass like others I have seen)

Some of you might know me as the young kid that won Guru3d's October rig of the month.

I;m taking a .50 cal ammo box and putting an ITX style motherboard and mini power supply inside it. I'm also going to attempt to squeeze a naked wireless router inside the box. (for lan parties) I want this to be a power efficient computer... while looking bad ass.

I have a few unannounced surprises, so be prepared...

Hardware
Intel Atom 330 Dual core (hyper threaded - 4 threads)
1 x 2gb DDR2 800 Dominator
Rosewill 4 port USB hub
160gb 2.5" HDD (SATA)
250w SFX12V power supply
4 port USB PCI card (1 internal port)
possible - Slim DVD drive


Most of this stuff will be in tomorrow, so I will post pics then. (and by tomorrow, i guess i mean today.:rolleyes:)

My plans are to put a window on the side that does not have any text painted on it. The window will be as large as possible. 3 x 80mm fans will be used as exhaust out the bottom of the case. (not sure about intake or ventilation yet)

The USB hub will be plugged into the internal port of the PCI card, and be wired toward the roof of the box. There, a USB wireless adapter, Bluetooth adapter, and 16gb storage drive will be plugged in. (for linux boot?) The other port will be a surprise... =]

And the best part, in my opinion, is that the entirety of the wires inside this mod will be Murder Mod Style.

Here are some pics to hold you guys over until later today...

1.jpg


17-339-004-02.jpg


35-233-016-03.jpg



Oh yeah, product budget is $300. =]


EDIT:

Just ordered from performance-pcs.com

120' 1/8th inch tec black
appropriate heatshrink
microcool heatsinks
Microcool_SouthBridge-BK_01.jpg
 
Slim DVD drive. I've got one I can send you if you pay shipping on it, it's taken from a toshiba laptop, so i'm not sure of the interface, but hey, it's a free DVD reader/CD burner.
LMK I'd like to see how this project turns out ;)
 
DAY 2


Dude, thanks a lot man. Could you take a pic of it, please? (connector)


I'm debating whether to go slim or full size DVD drive wise... Full size fits straight up and down with the CD tray coming through the top after I open the lid. (which is cool)

Slim DVD drives I can put more places, but I have to get adapters and crap.




I'm also going to upload my original sketches and drawings of this project for reference.
 
not saying it ain't .50 Cal ammo box, but the ammo box says 5.56 or .223

looks big enough though
 
That's not a pic of mine, that was a quick google search. I will update the pics today.
 
Thanks, I'm working on on getting those pics and stuff uploaded, so expect them tonight.
 
DAY 2 PART 2

Lookey what ups dropped off for me
Check these out -

ammomodday2034.jpg


My ghetto (for now) setup

ammomodday2031.jpg


ammomodday2032.jpg


ammomodday2030.jpg






I decided that a 320gb hitachi 2.5" drive would be a better bet.
The Atom board is so sick, I suggest that everyone seriously look into what they are using their computer for. I haven't taken a reading yet, but Im sure that the whole system is using less than 40 watts. It's absolutely wonderful; I installed Vista Business in under 20 minutes, and all of the drivers that it needs are integrated into Vista. I didn't feel like streamlining XP or using Linux. I haven't run anything much yet, but I can tell that it's quick.

The CD drive pictured isn't mine, but another customers.
Here is a shot of the box I have.

ammomodday2028.jpg


ammomodday2035.jpg


ammomodday2036.jpg



EDIT:

I got this router too:

ammomodday2038.jpg


$9 after rebate, free shipping. I figured i would throw this in the box too... hopefully I can find a way to power it by the power supply.
 
DAY 3

Looks like my sleeving stuff will come in on tuesday.

from another forum:

[quote name='Smokie' post='257824' date='Jan 1 2009, 06:15 PM']This is going to take ALOT of skill to do this neat and properly. Good luck. I can just imagine how tough it is going to be to drill the MOBO mounting holes in the exact right spots and the back I/O sheild as it is all basically enclosed...

Look forward to seeing what you do here.

-Smokie
Click to expand...

me:

Well, I am cutting out the side opposing the motherboard for a window, so hopefully that will give me some room to work. Normally, this would be a quick dremel job, but it's turning into a 1-hour plasma cut job. I think I am going to use something to space the mobo from the side of the case, so the standoffs will be screwed into that. I think I am putting the router behind the motherboard along with the HDD. (along with some non-conductive thermal pads that adhere to the case)
Click to expand...
 
Looking good.

Why'd you decide to sleeve each individual wire? That's going to add bulk to an already minimal amount of space.
 
I was going to Sleve my power supply (well actuall make new leads, its a modular supply) and use the UV Blue connectors. I saw that exact same tool you have in the pics. How well does it work? WIll it do the ATX, SATA, Floppy/fan, and P4 plugs too?

-Brian-
 
lapoltba said:
I was going to Sleve my power supply (well actuall make new leads, its a modular supply) and use the UV Blue connectors. I saw that exact same tool you have in the pics. How well does it work? WIll it do the ATX, SATA, Floppy/fan, and P4 plugs too?

-Brian-
Click to expand...

Yes, it does all of those. I got te sleeve job done with a combo of tumbtacks and that tool. I suggest buying 2 just in case you break it.

It takes some finagling to get it to work, but once you get the hang of it its easy.
 
You two are on the ball..
[quote name='happaflapp' post='260381' date='Jan 7 2009, 10:28 PM']So far looking really nice se7enfears. The sleeving job is top notch!

I'm wondering though what sort of ventilation your planing for the ammo box?

I also read a couple of reviews about that mobo/cpu combo at newegg. I guess the chipset fan is prone to early failure. Have heard this? And if so, what are your plans for that?[/quote]

Got these little beasts for $3 per.

ammomod4002.jpg


ammomod4005.jpg



[quote name='DraginElite' post='260384' date='Jan 7 2009, 10:29 PM']little box = lan gamer
big box = Lan game server

:p[/quote]


No words...



Anyways.. Getting it set up for install.

ammomod4006.jpg


ammomod4007.jpg


ammomod4010.jpg


ammomod4011.jpg


ammomod4012.jpg


ammomod4013.jpg
 
I'd love to try out one of these mobo's, how do you find it running vista? can u have a few programs running at the same time?
 
tuberc said:
I'd love to try out one of these mobo's, how do you find it running vista? can u have a few programs running at the same time?
Click to expand...

This motherboard is on my top 5 list of favorite motherboards of all time (for gerneral use / functionality)

1. Asus Maximus II Formula
2. Foxconn AM2 590 SLi (maybe it's not the best, but can be found for $80)
3. Atom 330

The Atom board is great under vista. I have to look up my scores, but the lowest is gaming graphics and it runs noticeably faster than an x2 3800+ with 2gb of ram in vista.
 
Wow! This is awesome! I know a place where I can get old ammo boxes too!

Don't worry, I won't steal your idea, but it is a very cool one!
 
vicaphit said:
Wow! This is awesome! I know a place where I can get old ammo boxes too!

Don't worry, I won't steal your idea, but it is a very cool one!
Click to expand...


Hey man, it's a free country, It also wasn't my idea. Thanks, expect a good update this week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top