A box

Takaharu · Jul 27, 2011, 12:21 AM

Yup, I have a distinctive lack of ideas of what to call this project, despite the fact it's almost finished.

Problem: There wasn't one.
Solution: Make the PC more portable by sticking it in a box.

Now then...
Power supply, check. Thermaltake 750W Modular. This means that I don't have to plug in all of the wires and there's plenty of power spare.

Low-profile fan, check. Scythe Shuriken Big. That should allow plenty of space and plenty of cooling.

PCI-Express riser. Check. It's flexible too.

See? I can even attach a graphics card to it.

Power button, check. I nabbed it off of an old box. Let's just say it was an old mATX system and leave it at that.

Custom-built harddrive caddy, check. It's even got holes in it.

Monitor, check.

Double-check.

Here's the left side of the box. The optical drive goes on the left, the power supply on the right. This was the first cut-out, which was later modified to fit better.

The lid at this point wasn't actually attached, I was just holding it upright. The box was custom-built by my dad in our garage. All riveted and everything.

The monitor does indeed fit!

More to come...

Tyrsonswood · Jul 27, 2011, 12:49 AM

Oh My Gods.................

You've invented a laptop.

**kris23** · Jul 27, 2011, 01:30 AM

lool nice mod.

Takaharu · Jul 27, 2011, 07:50 AM

Back of the case with the hinges half-attached (only attached to the bottom part)

The front of the case was pretty bare at this point

The harddrives tested out in the caddy

Not that much clearance, really

Oops.

Testing out the positioning of the PSU. The brackets that you see there are screwed only to the box, wedging in the PSU so that it's replaceable.

The graphics card needed a vent so a PCI back plate slot was shaped for the job

The PSU wasn't quite flush. A little sanding was in order. This is post-sanding; before, the top of the socket touched the case on the inside

Locks & handle attached

Hinges now fully-attached with rivets

There was a bit too much of a gap around the monitor so some foam seems like an appropriate thing to pad with

More to come...

niceguyrichy · Jul 27, 2011, 12:05 PM

that looks pretty cool mate

IvanV · Jul 27, 2011, 02:07 PM

Great work, love your problem description.

Takaharu · Jul 27, 2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niceguyrichy

that looks pretty cool mate

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanV

Great work, love your problem description.

***Veridian3*** · Jul 27, 2011, 02:56 PM

I assume the foam is heat resistant? Unless there is ventilation at the back of the screen (holes in the box?) it could get very toasty back there.

Also, nice work.

Takaharu · Jul 28, 2011, 10:57 AM

The graphics card didn't have anywhere to attach so we needed to be a little more creative with that. We decided that the best way to hold up the card was to hold the card up at the back with a supporting bracket/bridge and at the front, the screws that were designed to hold the PCI bracket in place gained a couple of extra brackets. Those brackets would then screw onto a shelf inside the case (the one on the right).
At this stage, as seen in the picture, screw holes were made for the motherboard and the brass risers had been glued into the holes. Additionally, a small mouse cubby hole was made so it can sit snugly inside the case. The holes at the bottom of the shelf that you may have noticed will be for the extension cables from the back of the motherboard.

Some extra support was needed to hold the monitor in place so two plastic brackets were placed at the top.

Here's the box in its pre-beta stage. The graphics card vent has been screwed down (as well as the graphics card) and you can see the extension cables from the back of the motherboard. These are: a headphone splitter (headphones and/or speakers or two sets of headphones), an extension for the mic, a network cable, keyboard PS/2, and one USB.

Beta testing stage

As you may have guessed, I've got some tidying to do at some point.

I've tested it out properly already; played a bit of CoD United Offensive with some friends.
The handle hurt like hell when I carried it yesterday (thin, sharp and solid) so that needs some adjustments. Wheels were added this morning so I'll take a shot of that this evening.

Judas · Jul 28, 2011, 08:12 PM

i've been considering building a confined sleek system... not likely using that kind of power but manageable enough and likely passive while running..

But using a ultra durable water proof/preasure proof/fire resistant foam padded case..

procupine14 · Sep 14, 2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

I used do some contract work for an A/V company from time to time and there are 4 "test boxes" that I made for them in Gator cases which is a brand similar to this. They love them because they can haul them on job sites and bang them around. It will test all of the connections that they need to test in the field and they only cost a couple hundred bucks versus 2,000 - 4,000 USD for a Panisonic Toughbook.

procupine14 · Sep 14, 2011, 02:21 PM

I really like your build Takaharu! I think having the portability of this is a pretty cool thing while also having a pretty powerful system at your disposal.

Jul 27, 2011, 12:21 AM	#1
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,859 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	A box Yup, I have a distinctive lack of ideas of what to call this project, despite the fact it's almost finished. Problem: There wasn't one. Solution: Make the PC more portable by sticking it in a box. Now then... Power supply, check. Thermaltake 750W Modular. This means that I don't have to plug in all of the wires and there's plenty of power spare. Low-profile fan, check. Scythe Shuriken Big. That should allow plenty of space and plenty of cooling. PCI-Express riser. Check. It's flexible too. See? I can even attach a graphics card to it. Power button, check. I nabbed it off of an old box. Let's just say it was an old mATX system and leave it at that. Custom-built harddrive caddy, check. It's even got holes in it. Monitor, check. Double-check. Here's the left side of the box. The optical drive goes on the left, the power supply on the right. This was the first cut-out, which was later modified to fit better. The lid at this point wasn't actually attached, I was just holding it upright. The box was custom-built by my dad in our garage. All riveted and everything. The monitor does indeed fit! More to come... __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Jul 27, 2011, 01:30 AM	#3
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,019 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: A box lool nice mod. __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jul 27, 2011, 07:50 AM	Thread Starter #4
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,859 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: A box Back of the case with the hinges half-attached (only attached to the bottom part) The front of the case was pretty bare at this point The harddrives tested out in the caddy Not that much clearance, really Oops. Testing out the positioning of the PSU. The brackets that you see there are screwed only to the box, wedging in the PSU so that it's replaceable. The graphics card needed a vent so a PCI back plate slot was shaped for the job The PSU wasn't quite flush. A little sanding was in order. This is post-sanding; before, the top of the socket touched the case on the inside Locks & handle attached Hinges now fully-attached with rivets There was a bit too much of a gap around the monitor so some foam seems like an appropriate thing to pad with More to come... __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Jul 27, 2011, 02:07 PM	#6
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,919 Rep Power: 336 System Specs	Re: A box Great work, love your problem description. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Jul 27, 2011, 02:56 PM	#8
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 182	Re: A box I assume the foam is heat resistant? Unless there is ventilation at the back of the screen (holes in the box?) it could get very toasty back there. Also, nice work.

Jul 28, 2011, 10:57 AM	Thread Starter #9
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,859 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: A box The graphics card didn't have anywhere to attach so we needed to be a little more creative with that. We decided that the best way to hold up the card was to hold the card up at the back with a supporting bracket/bridge and at the front, the screws that were designed to hold the PCI bracket in place gained a couple of extra brackets. Those brackets would then screw onto a shelf inside the case (the one on the right). At this stage, as seen in the picture, screw holes were made for the motherboard and the brass risers had been glued into the holes. Additionally, a small mouse cubby hole was made so it can sit snugly inside the case. The holes at the bottom of the shelf that you may have noticed will be for the extension cables from the back of the motherboard. Some extra support was needed to hold the monitor in place so two plastic brackets were placed at the top. Here's the box in its pre-beta stage. The graphics card vent has been screwed down (as well as the graphics card) and you can see the extension cables from the back of the motherboard. These are: a headphone splitter (headphones and/or speakers or two sets of headphones), an extension for the mic, a network cable, keyboard PS/2, and one USB. Beta testing stage As you may have guessed, I've got some tidying to do at some point. I've tested it out properly already; played a bit of CoD United Offensive with some friends. The handle hurt like hell when I carried it yesterday (thin, sharp and solid) so that needs some adjustments. Wheels were added this morning so I'll take a shot of that this evening. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Sep 14, 2011, 02:21 PM	#12
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: A box I really like your build Takaharu! I think having the portability of this is a pretty cool thing while also having a pretty powerful system at your disposal. __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU