Project Cubed

[kbaxter]

I've just started preliminary planning work on a custom case for a friend. I am posting here to get some opinions on the overall design as its the first time I'll be making a completely custom enclosure.

The quest is to make a computer reminiscent of the Apple Cube with a modern set of components and a more industrial feel.

So I made a few mockups to start the process... tell me what is glaringly wrong or what you think can be improved!

The system is based on a Soltek nForce 3 250 board (http://217.160.208.211/soltek/product/products_all.php?isbn_st=SL-B9A-FGR), uses a 1U power supply, and a slim slot loading notebook optical drive.

The Apple Cube had the advantage of an external power supply to aid its cooling design, so I tried to get ample cooling by placing a 80mm fan in the bottom center pushing air up, and a 120mm fan at the top blowing hot air out.

I still have quite a bit of design work left to do, but tell me what you think!

 

[MikeP]

smooth Plexi on all 4 sides with all wiring going in through the bottom would be really cool. Give it a super clean look. If you could hide the CD drive too...

Nice work on the mockups.

 

[Tos]

Interresting design, but think well about how you're gonna fix the plexi panels to the steel cornerings ( I would use hollow "rods" of steel, pierce them so I could fit BTR inside - hidden - bolts and thread the plexi if you can see what I mean )

 

[kbaxter]

Great idea on the rods for the corners, I'll play around with it.