Looking for custom computer case ideas
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From: i <3 ny
Looking for custom computer case ideas
well, the time has come for me to rebuild my HTPC. right now it's basically a antec lanboy (yes, its quite ugly) sitting on the floor plugged into my samsung hln507 tv.
we've just purchased all new furniture and it's time to swap out the antec case for something more aesthically pleasing. i was thinking about making the case look like a receiver (black horizontal case) but the spaces within our new entertainment center are already reserved for my ht receiver, dvd, amp, ps2/xbox (same shelf), and hd tuner. i'm already concerned about cooling in this area so even if i did have a extra space here, i would not locate my htpc there.
so.. what about creating a custom case that i can proudly display? i have about 2'Hx2'Wx2'D space to work with, perfect for a nice pc case! i also have the option of using an opaque glass door to cover the case.
i saw turbodriven's pc (his pic):
and i must say DAYYUMM! i wouldnt mind having this on display! but there are some concerns i have with this thing due to the fact that my components inside my current HTPC arent as pretty as his. i'd imagine that i'd have to overhaul most of the internals.. rounded ide cables, illuminated fans, etc. i already have some zalman cooling products, but it's not as cool looking as turbodrivens water cooled setup.
so.. what else could i do? legos? pvc? brushed aluminum case? i saw this one dude on google who integrated his coffee table with his pc, but im not that kinda geek.
we've just purchased all new furniture and it's time to swap out the antec case for something more aesthically pleasing. i was thinking about making the case look like a receiver (black horizontal case) but the spaces within our new entertainment center are already reserved for my ht receiver, dvd, amp, ps2/xbox (same shelf), and hd tuner. i'm already concerned about cooling in this area so even if i did have a extra space here, i would not locate my htpc there.
so.. what about creating a custom case that i can proudly display? i have about 2'Hx2'Wx2'D space to work with, perfect for a nice pc case! i also have the option of using an opaque glass door to cover the case.
i saw turbodriven's pc (his pic):
and i must say DAYYUMM! i wouldnt mind having this on display! but there are some concerns i have with this thing due to the fact that my components inside my current HTPC arent as pretty as his. i'd imagine that i'd have to overhaul most of the internals.. rounded ide cables, illuminated fans, etc. i already have some zalman cooling products, but it's not as cool looking as turbodrivens water cooled setup.
so.. what else could i do? legos? pvc? brushed aluminum case? i saw this one dude on google who integrated his coffee table with his pc, but im not that kinda geek.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: O-town, FL
It's not watercooled 
But I don't overclock either so I still run very cool temps. My PC is 2 layers in a 10"x11"x12" custom plexiglass box. The top layer consists of the mobo/video card/ and decent size zahlman cpu 'flower' heatsink/fan. And the bottom has my DVD-R drive in the front left supporting a 120gig HD above it/ and a powersupply and fan bus controller on the other side. Each layer (top and bottom) has an intake fan and exhaust fan with creates a nice airflow on each layer. All wires are custom lengthened and shrouded in chrome wire loom.
As I said before I pulled a lot of my ideas from www.bit-tech.net and I'm sure you've already gotten a ton of ideas there. Shop fans/wire loom/ and round ide cables on ebay. I found they have some decent deals on stuff like that. I also got good deals on my raw materials there. Don't buy plexiglass at Home Depot... you'll get ripped off.
Good luck.
But I don't overclock either so I still run very cool temps. My PC is 2 layers in a 10"x11"x12" custom plexiglass box. The top layer consists of the mobo/video card/ and decent size zahlman cpu 'flower' heatsink/fan. And the bottom has my DVD-R drive in the front left supporting a 120gig HD above it/ and a powersupply and fan bus controller on the other side. Each layer (top and bottom) has an intake fan and exhaust fan with creates a nice airflow on each layer. All wires are custom lengthened and shrouded in chrome wire loom.
As I said before I pulled a lot of my ideas from www.bit-tech.net and I'm sure you've already gotten a ton of ideas there. Shop fans/wire loom/ and round ide cables on ebay. I found they have some decent deals on stuff like that. I also got good deals on my raw materials there. Don't buy plexiglass at Home Depot... you'll get ripped off.
Good luck.
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