Alternative to Case

[Deleted member 2166502]

I recently saw Linus Tech Tips desk build and other strange build, and I was interested in doing a creative diy alternatives to a case. I plan to use a standard atx mother board and standard components, and would fit comfortably in a medium case. I don't want to go over the cost of a usual budget case at about $80-$130, and I want it to be relatively easy. I want an aesthetically pleasing design also. Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[greens]

This is more of a question of what kind of skills you have, and the tools you have available...
What kind of tools do you have available to you?
Saws? Miter, table, skill, band?
Rotory tools? Dremel?
3D printer? Die cutter?
CNC? Plasma, Water, Mill?
Welding? ARC, Electroslag, Fluxcore?

Access to any industrial equipment?

Tools are the greatest barrier to DIY in almost everything.

 

[atljsf]

the most creative pc case i have seen was a pc inside a acoustic guitar

the limit of what you can do is imposed by your creativity, not your tools and skills

the resources as linus shows, well, his father or a neighbour always helps him when he can't or don't know how to do something

here is a idea, a pc under your bed, so you can play while you rest

and if you overclock hard enough, can catch a fire there 😀

 

[greens]

I'd bet the farm that guy could play the guitar before he built a guitar computer! His skills, interests, and tools are clearly reflected in the build.

 

[atljsf]

your negativism doesn't let you think far away from a simple cut on the side of a guitarr, nothing out of this world that can't be done

 

[Deleted member 2166502]

Tools and skills aren't really a limit, as I have some and I know plenty of people with plenty they'll let me borrow. I have a few ideas, but so far my favorite is the desk, which I might do when I have the time and money. So far I've thought of; using an old cool looking box I have, a lock box, under my desk or other furniture, or into a toolbox. But, none of these ideas are interesting enough to me to do. I normally need a nudge in the right direction to come up with creative ideas, even if it's completely unrelated to my end result, which is why I'm asking for ideas. The guitar seemed pretty cool, but I'm not as interested in guitar ai used to be. Thanks for the ideasso far, and keep them coming.

 

[atljsf]

on the dyi perks on youtube, there is a wooden pc case, made thinking on silence

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiHyMXR_anRAhVGyyYKHcuTC8QQtwIIJTAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRZoX7glIAS4&usg=AFQjCNFGUg6FqVoQ5YqWAA_081KDrW1Wxg

another idea

linus made already two desk pcs, the last one with glass and the previous one that was just under the desk

both have their pros and cons

depending on spaca and tools 8bit guy made his own desk, perhaps you could watch that video and marry both ideas, custom desk and custom desktop pc into the desk

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwisxaaU_qnRAhUF2SYKHYh0ChgQtwIIHDAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D5yxmi14ru10&usg=AFQjCNGdbJIHryQ-zybPPvVW9Fh4mD8rSA

 

[greens]

I've always wanted to do a water cooled rig with such a giant rad and res that you don't need fans. Like a cleaned up car radiator, or two. Would be hours before you saw a temp change.

I like ITX and would love to make my own tower style, pure bottom to top airflow, clean sides.

Some kinda cool server cases out there. With some work you could have a pretty sweet rackmount gaming rig. Then you get a rack mount modem, router, switch, firewall, UPS, used and that would be pretty cool. Pretty cheap and you could add to it over time. Stupid mounts are pricey though.

You can just buy the cheapest case you can find, drill out the rivets and end up with a nice skelton, motherboard tray, etc to work with. Half the cheap ones out there are the same when you break them down.

My biggest problem with customs and mods is time really. 🙁

 

[jsmithepa]

You are about 10 years late, 'cuz according to the Web, around 2008 was when people were Mod-Crazy. Google, the websites which showcase these Mods should still be around, should give you plenty of ideas.

 

[greens]

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3287273/greens-build-log-mini-itx-ultimate.html

Modding is a must man!

 

[atljsf]

i wouldn't get a server case because most times are expensive and very heavy but sounds interesting

about the giant radiator, that sounds more interesting but even heavier than the server idea