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I have been wanting to build a HTPC for quite some time now, but havn't had the spare money to invest in a HTPC case. SO, I've been visiting the goodwill when I get the chance to see if I can find something that will:
1. Go well in the living room... and
2. Will hold a Micro ATX decently well... and
3. Didn't cost an arm and a leg...
I have a spare computer here that I will be using until I get the money to buy a more powerful version:
AMD Athlon 2200+
Epox Micro ATX Motherboard
Seasonic PSU
Slot Loaded DVD Rom Drive
Note: You can see all the project pictures on Flickr
[2006.07.13]
WELL, I finally hit the jackpot. Enter the MCS 3873 Integrated Stereo Amplifier:
As soon as I saw this thing, I knew it was exactly what I have been looking for! Having only a few bucks on me, I checked the price.... $7 for the set! Black brushed aluminum on the front face, nice old-school styling, decently clean, and the bigger of the two cases looks like it would fit a Micro-ATX PC very nicely.
I bought it, and got home with my new Project Case: Project Bad Amplitude. First Lets take a look at the case in it's old-school glory. Check out those venting holes on the top and bottom! This thing is HEAVY, at least 20 lbs.
[2006.07.14]
I got to open the case today. The top comes off without any hassle with a couple of screws (more like 6). Once I got the case open, I thought that I was in for more trouble than I thought... look at the wires running everywhere in this thing:
Not to fret, I got to work. About 30 screws and 30 wires later, I can say for sure that this case was MADE for a Home Theater PC! I was surprised to find that all the boards and everything were held into the case by screws, as opposed to being 'welded'. When it was all said and done, I have a very broad, flat surface to work on.
Test Fit #1: After placing my test components into the case, I understand that this was such a great find. The pink foam is roughly the exact size of my Micro-ATX Motherboard, that's a Full Size ATX Power Supply and a 3.5" Hard drive. Not only does the width of the case match almost EXACTLY the width of the PSU/Mobo with just enough clearance for play, the depth is almost exactly spot on to mount hard drives in the front, and (ALMOST) fit a DVD Rom Drive facing forward. Although if all goes well I can hang the back of the DVD Drive over the Mobo slightly to get a nice flush finish.
Once I finished pulling every component and part from the case (about a 2 hour job), this Bad Amplitude needed a bath.
WOW, it's looks (and feels) like a brand new machine!
I would like to do a near stock look on this case, so with the help of my roomate, we desoldered the switches on the front of the case from their boards. If you notice, I can still screw in the switches using the metal bar that holds them together. This means that the front switches will still have their springy feedback when you push them.
Things to do:
Switches: Does anyone know where I can get these spring-loaded switches like above for decently cheap, or at all for that matter?
Labels: I would like this to look as stock as possible. When I change out (or re-use) the switches above, I would like to change the labels over the button, but the text is white on black. This means that I need some custom labels, where should I turn? Sign shop (these are pretty damned small letters)? Model Car decals (but I need white letters)?
Mobo Riser: I am thinking of going with a plexiglass Mobo riser.
Back Plate: I would like to change out the back plate, should I just cut a square out of the stock one and place a piece of plate metal over top of it to make custom holes, etc.? Or is there a better option? Mind you I do not have the ability to bend the plate, which would be the best...
Until next time...
1. Go well in the living room... and
2. Will hold a Micro ATX decently well... and
3. Didn't cost an arm and a leg...
I have a spare computer here that I will be using until I get the money to buy a more powerful version:
AMD Athlon 2200+
Epox Micro ATX Motherboard
Seasonic PSU
Slot Loaded DVD Rom Drive
Note: You can see all the project pictures on Flickr
[2006.07.13]
WELL, I finally hit the jackpot. Enter the MCS 3873 Integrated Stereo Amplifier:
As soon as I saw this thing, I knew it was exactly what I have been looking for! Having only a few bucks on me, I checked the price.... $7 for the set! Black brushed aluminum on the front face, nice old-school styling, decently clean, and the bigger of the two cases looks like it would fit a Micro-ATX PC very nicely.
I bought it, and got home with my new Project Case: Project Bad Amplitude. First Lets take a look at the case in it's old-school glory. Check out those venting holes on the top and bottom! This thing is HEAVY, at least 20 lbs.
[2006.07.14]
I got to open the case today. The top comes off without any hassle with a couple of screws (more like 6). Once I got the case open, I thought that I was in for more trouble than I thought... look at the wires running everywhere in this thing:
Not to fret, I got to work. About 30 screws and 30 wires later, I can say for sure that this case was MADE for a Home Theater PC! I was surprised to find that all the boards and everything were held into the case by screws, as opposed to being 'welded'. When it was all said and done, I have a very broad, flat surface to work on.
Test Fit #1: After placing my test components into the case, I understand that this was such a great find. The pink foam is roughly the exact size of my Micro-ATX Motherboard, that's a Full Size ATX Power Supply and a 3.5" Hard drive. Not only does the width of the case match almost EXACTLY the width of the PSU/Mobo with just enough clearance for play, the depth is almost exactly spot on to mount hard drives in the front, and (ALMOST) fit a DVD Rom Drive facing forward. Although if all goes well I can hang the back of the DVD Drive over the Mobo slightly to get a nice flush finish.
Once I finished pulling every component and part from the case (about a 2 hour job), this Bad Amplitude needed a bath.
WOW, it's looks (and feels) like a brand new machine!
I would like to do a near stock look on this case, so with the help of my roomate, we desoldered the switches on the front of the case from their boards. If you notice, I can still screw in the switches using the metal bar that holds them together. This means that the front switches will still have their springy feedback when you push them.
Things to do:
Switches: Does anyone know where I can get these spring-loaded switches like above for decently cheap, or at all for that matter?
Labels: I would like this to look as stock as possible. When I change out (or re-use) the switches above, I would like to change the labels over the button, but the text is white on black. This means that I need some custom labels, where should I turn? Sign shop (these are pretty damned small letters)? Model Car decals (but I need white letters)?
Mobo Riser: I am thinking of going with a plexiglass Mobo riser.
Back Plate: I would like to change out the back plate, should I just cut a square out of the stock one and place a piece of plate metal over top of it to make custom holes, etc.? Or is there a better option? Mind you I do not have the ability to bend the plate, which would be the best...
Until next time...
