Design Phase - Custom Cube Case

[StevenG]

Hi There,

Ive been wanting to build a custom case for a while now and i think ive come up with a design that might work and look quite cool too.

the case would be made from sheet aluminum and be built onto a frame of somesort, probably aluminum square bar.

case would be powder coated black with perspex sheets at the top to allow viewing of the motherboard/components, the psu would also be at the top of the case.

all other components will be hidden from view under the motherboard tray as i like things nice and neat.

anyway here are 2 mockup models ive made tonight so you can visualise it (not the best with cad so used something simple to design an IDEA of what could be done).

Basically im looking for advice on anything you think may cause me problems or things you think may look better.

your advice will be taken into consideration and is much appreciated.

Thanks for looking.

StevenG

Suggestions so far that will be used

1) 1 rad at the front and one at the back
2) hide the psu under the motherboard tray (need to do 1 for this to work)
3) vents or fans in the top portion to allow heat to escape
4) have the motherboard tray cover the full top portion with cuts/portions cut out to allow wires through.

 

[StevenG]

now that looks damn sexy

Where are the HDD Racks? or aren't you including them?

havent included them in the first mockup as if i were to change the design id have to re-draw them which is a pain. they would go at the front below the drive bays.. OR on some MountainMod style RAD>HardDrive rack mount.

Thanks. its sortof my take on a MM case but hiding all the innards and showing off the mobo & components.

StevenG

 

[StevenG]

i see your point, would be a hassle to re-draw them.

I'm guessing your Watercooling your new Rig with the 6 120mm fan mounts at the bottom of the case?

and i would add a fan at one end (closest to the CPU) of the upper section of your case, like a hole in the perspex, to allow the hot air from the CPU and GPU(s) to escape. but I'm guessing you already had this planned

i didnt really want to use a fan, as it would obstruct the view of the motherboard... was thinking about vents though cut in the side nearest the cpu to let hot air escape.

as said ive not fully thought of everything just yet, but im liking your ideas and they'll come in very handy as you or someone else may spot something i didnt

thanks again
StevenG

 

[StevenG]

I assume all the top is plexi see thru. If you put PSU in top part, it will be harder to hide the cables.

i think the 2nd mockup will have the psu under the mobo tray and the rads at the front and back to have a straight through air flow.

yeah think it'd look better if the PSU was out of the way but still really liking the design. looks like there would be LOADS of air flow for the rads in the bottom but what about over your motherboard and gfx card(s)? anything blowing over them,

as above i may just have to have a fan on either side of the motherboard extracting heat... not sure i may just have one at one side extracting..

all valid points i'll take into consideration with some more mocukups and hopefully i'll end up with a decent design.

going to spend a lot of time getting the design right before i even think about putting it into motion.

Thanks
StevenG

 

[StevenG]

that is gona look real nice

btw what program do you use to make those?

ProDesktop?

Spot On!. i used this in school and remember it well. i mean i dont know anything complicated like multiple drawings or differnt parts and joining them together but i can take parts out of a solid cube to make it look like a case.

needless to say the final drawings might be done by someone else or may just draw each panel on ProD and get them lasercut.

StevenG

 

[StevenG]

Nice work though! What version have you got? I never knew it could create shadows

Version 8 the last one they made i think.
but any version of ProDesktop can create shadows in the album, just go to, Image, Image Properties, and Studio to get your lighting effects

StevenG

 

[StevenG]

Rough dimensions of that case are: 470mm x 350mm x 450mm I THINK!

not sure as the design changes so will the dimensions. but its about the same size as a MM case but with a smaller depth.

StevenG

 

[StevenG]

i can't use photoshop or paint but would this provide better airflow or then you could mount the MM HDD caddy things on the front rad/fans.

[snip]pic[/snip]

if you didn't want a rad at the front then ignore this lol.

to be honest i think i'll be doing this. the best way to do things and get all things hidden

StevenG