Motherboard internal video mod.

[LMRB]

Hello people, I'm wanting to build a briefcase pc. I've seen some good builds but there's one thing that most don't go into or don't do, and I just wanted some comments/advice.

This case would have a monitor installed, but I want the ability to connect to extra ones as well, so there's a few options just here.

Some I saw keep the motherboard fully inside the case, and then add some ports for external connections.

This is not bad, but I was thinking of using the mobo's I/O instead of extensions to make it smaller and simpler, (altough this would require wifi antennas and usb sticks to always be removed...hmmm, maybe its a bad idea).
But then the problem is wiring the internal monitor! I have experience with circuits so I thought: why not just unsolder the mobo vga port, solder in some wires and voila an internal video connection to the internal screen!! Genius..right? But then that would mean no GPU while on the internal monitor, so it would have to be the gpu. I wouldn't want to disassemble it but I could just solder the wires on top of the DVI pins and that would work.

Now....how bad of an idea is this? Would it be better to just keep the mobo/gpu inside and install extensions from the gpu outs to the case?

Also just thought I'd ask, I'm undecided between re-using a laptop screen + lcd controller versus buying a monitor, suggestions?

 

[LuckyBenski]

1) I'd say do your research on using a laptop screen. I'm an electronic engineer and don't know how to do it - I could find out, but it's not trivial. Just giving you an idea of the complexity.

2) If you're confident soldering a DVI or SVGA connector then maybe consider it, but it's a lot of pins in a small space. Maybe it makes more sense to use internal connectors. A GPU has multiple outputs so why not use one for internal and bring one to the outside casing? Plugging two devices onto one output may cause problems anyway due to loading, resistance, pull up/ pull down etc