I saw a website for the mini motherboards, I think it was something like mini-itx.com or something along that line and I was wondering if anyone here has built their own case for their HTPC? The more I get into this the more I wish I went for an electronics degree so I could design and build exactly what I want. There were a lot of designs that didn't require fans so that they could be put anywhere, like inside a fake book cover so you never even notice it, but I think our parts would get too hot right? I'd like to see some pics of something thin and no noise if possible. I know someone is going to say if I don't want to hear the fans then put it in another room, so I just saved you from spending the time on that one. If you have another idea for a case that makes no noise let me know.
has anyone built your own case?
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You can't just jump into it though as some do. I would be tempted to use plexiglass. The problem is that one of the differences between a good case and a bad case is the shielding. This is why a cheap case is not always better. It is also why many OEMs like Dell use relatively thick metal compared to many cheaper computers (or atleast they used too). So you have to be care with supplies. For instance, a see through case may sound cool, but not so much when it interferes with the other electronics in your house. (Could technically violate laws too).
It still is pretty cool. I built my own case for my mame arcade. I later lined it what sheet metal to add shielding as it was giving off interference.
There are some pretty neat projects out there. The coolest ones that I have seen have been things you would never think of like toasters and such.
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It still is pretty cool. I built my own case for my mame arcade. I later lined it what sheet metal to add shielding as it was giving off interference.
There are some pretty neat projects out there. The coolest ones that I have seen have been things you would never think of like toasters and such.
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Steam Pump Computer Case
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The V8 Computer Case
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You can use just about anything. Even the first apple was built out of wood.
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The V8 Computer Case
You can use just about anything. Even the first apple was built out of wood.
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48 Posts
Perhaps it is the "custom" aspect that draws him in, not necessarily a ridiculously unique design? I know that's what interests me...
I've built a couple PC's based on a mini-itx board, and I think my next forays will be either a Car-PC or turning my full-size HTPC into a miniaturized HTPC. There really isn't any obvious benefit for my HTPC to be mini as it fits into my equipment stack like a glove, but just being able to say "yeah, those 4 dvd cases stacked there are actually the computer" or something would make it worthwhile.
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The Pico power supplies lend themselves quite nicely to build a custom case, and with the right motherboard and heatsinks, a 1.8" drive, and a slim BD-ROM, things could very well be both fanless and TINY.
I say jump in. If you've got basic woodworking skills, or don't mind see-through acrylic or plexi for your first attempt, buy an Atom board and go for it. At least if you fry it, you're only a few dollars in the hole!
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I've built a couple PC's based on a mini-itx board, and I think my next forays will be either a Car-PC or turning my full-size HTPC into a miniaturized HTPC. There really isn't any obvious benefit for my HTPC to be mini as it fits into my equipment stack like a glove, but just being able to say "yeah, those 4 dvd cases stacked there are actually the computer" or something would make it worthwhile.
The Pico power supplies lend themselves quite nicely to build a custom case, and with the right motherboard and heatsinks, a 1.8" drive, and a slim BD-ROM, things could very well be both fanless and TINY.
I say jump in. If you've got basic woodworking skills, or don't mind see-through acrylic or plexi for your first attempt, buy an Atom board and go for it. At least if you fry it, you're only a few dollars in the hole!
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333 Posts
Or there is Atech Fabrication... I have been thinking about this too because there are relatively few cases with nothing in front... I dont want USB, Audio, DVD drives all cluttering the front panel... you could use a company like PAR metal and get a case ... the back panel is going to be your biggest obstacle... then you could use Front Panel Express to custom design the front and rear panels... I am going down this road for a touchscreen jukebox... All I want in the case will be an ITX mobo, SSD, and a sound card which I will solder tow leads off the SPDIF output and put a jack on the rear of the PC... PicoPSU pretty easy to implement as well.
What I am thinking is something along the lines of a smooth front with only an led light, and a slot for loading disks, but not the tray that pops out. I really want to make the front curve around to the sides so there aren't square corners. I don't want to make it look like it is a computer. If you have ever seen the amps designed by Classe they are silver with a curved front with a black stripe around them. I'd like that black stripe to be the cd load slot, and the whole thing to be white. Or another example would be the new digital amps from Alpine, they are square and silver/black, no heat sinks or fans. I have a drawing but I don't know how to post pictures here for you to see my idea, I hope I explained it enough.
Are there micro motherboards and chipsets that can do HD and decode all the HD audio that isn't going to need fans, or can I find a PCI express 16 card that doesn't have to stick up perpendicular to the mother board so the overall height can be kept to a minimum? Like maybe a 90degree adapter to let add in cards lie flat????? If not then you know why I need that electronic engineering degree.
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Are there micro motherboards and chipsets that can do HD and decode all the HD audio that isn't going to need fans, or can I find a PCI express 16 card that doesn't have to stick up perpendicular to the mother board so the overall height can be kept to a minimum? Like maybe a 90degree adapter to let add in cards lie flat????? If not then you know why I need that electronic engineering degree.
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I have 96% of the idea yr going for, except mine will have heatsink. I love heatsinks. and My front will even be cleaner, a single large character LCD display, no LED, no buttons. DVD slot/USB ports will be behind the flip-open front bezel, like some car stereos. Gonna take me awhile though, it's on hold on the shelf. It's gonna looks like an high-end minimalist stereo box.
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I was browsing through the post about showing your setups and looking at the pictures and a few have awesome looking front touchscreen panels on the cases. But I did a search trying to find out what they cost and I found this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/thermaltake-vc40...:B:SRCH:US:101
I think this is almost exactly what I was thinking, except now I am liking those touchscreen even more. Dang you guys and your fancy systems!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/thermaltake-vc40...:B:SRCH:US:101
I think this is almost exactly what I was thinking, except now I am liking those touchscreen even more. Dang you guys and your fancy systems!!!!
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