Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
Over the past few years I have designed a few PC cases. My first one, Tilia, was manufactured and has been my daily driver ever since. Since two or so years ago I have been working on its successor, E32B, and got the metal parts done. With this case, however, I lost steam for a few reasons.
- It was incredibly large, much larger IRL than I expected
- It seems hard to manufacture the wooden side panels as envisioned
- It is very much relying on water-cooling for its cooling. Especially on the GPU
As I had fallen out of love with running water for my daily driver, due to the maintenance needs, I decided to go back on air for my main workhorse. I have, for a long time, been fascinated with the idea of building PCs into furniture. Of course inspired by DIY Perks various endeavors but also, especially, a Danish guy who made a very nice desk.
For my own purposes I settled on creating a cabinet. For this project one of the drawers will be the actual PC. The other two will have the possibility of housing some massive radiators, if I ever decide to go back to water-cooling, or just be normal drawers for storage. The PC itself is a bit inspired by racks and can feature either 3x180mm fans in the front or a 3x140mm + 420mm radiator. There's also space for a 240mm radiator in the back. I have also modeled in a motherboard tray that should support the back-of-motherboard connectors that may yet be popular, there's a bunch of holes for cable management as well as hard-drive cages or pump mounts. Some other features are a magnetic USB+power button connector that should automatically connect as you close the drawer.
For the cabinet itself I wish it to be a tad modular and fit into my own workflow. The top drawer will have an insert for a laptop-tray, with attachments to hold cables in place as you open the drawer. The sides will have a metal detail that can be replaced with modular attachments like hooks, file organizers, or even a whole pegboard.
Currently I am finalizing my CAD work and about to send it off to a manufacturer for the metal enclosure. After that I will build the wooden cabinet myself.
For now I'll leave you with a render from Fusion of the cabinet exterior. When I have time I'll add a few more pictures showing the entire thing.
This topic was modified 8 months ago by Aksi
Posted : 16/04/2024 4:56 pm
marcdraco reacted
Oh MAN I want one like that. That looks like something @diyperks would have done as a project. I'm so jealous of that skill but I guess we can only be good at one or two things and that's not one of mine.
Take everything I say with a pinch of salt, I might be wrong and it's a very *expensive* way to learn!
Posted : 17/04/2024 11:30 am
Topic starter
Thanks! It'll be an experience actually building it. I won't do the sheet-metal myself because it's out of my capabilities. But I hope that I can get the wooden frame and drawers done myself, with maybe some help. My main proficiency is in the CAD work and I am hoping to expand it to more actual objects over time, with this being one of the first.
Posted : 17/04/2024 8:16 pm
marcdraco reacted
Topic starter
So here's a bit of an update as I am sending the metal parts off for a quote soon.
The interior layout of the "case" will be quite spacious. I can fit up to an E-ATX motherboard alongside tall aircoolers and GPUs. I've designed cages for both 2.5in SSDs and 3.5in HDDs, with the option of fitting more than I will ever need or use. I'm also designing some cable management for the front, but I am not sure I'll make that initially. I've also got the possibility to add D5/DDC pump mounting next to the SSD cage.
The front will feature 3x180mm fans initially. But the entire thing holding it can be removed and should then have the option of fitting up to a 420mm radiator with 3x140mm fans, or a 360. Personally I may just make an adapter to fit that in the future if I need it.
For the backside I will attempt to make a magnetic connector that has one part on the case and another on the cabinet side. So when the case slides in on the rails it will connect and enable the power button and perhaps a USB-port. The magnetic connector I have looked at has 8 pins so I should be able to accommodate that. I think it may require a bit of a leeway so I will make it spring loaded. That way I only have to make sure it's somewhat aligned as it connects.
Posted : 06/05/2024 6:56 pm
marcdraco reacted
Coming along a treat!
Take everything I say with a pinch of salt, I might be wrong and it's a very *expensive* way to learn!
Posted : 07/05/2024 7:49 pm