Custom Wooden Pc Case

[Rockergage]

For woodshop class i planned to make a pc case out of wood in the shape of a Tardis. I understand it is possible but i am wondering about what i should do. I plan to have the motherboard be on the bottom of the case, should i layer the walls or floor with something? Should i place the mobo up against the walls or should i stay and inch or half an inch away? I planned to be about 1ft by 1ft by 2ft for the case with the top part and the bottom walk up base be extra which i build afterwards, would my fans be good if i put them with two on the bottom pushing air through and up to air on the side where the fans will pull the air out. i plan to use some random Intel mobo, a 800W or 850W PSU, four fans, Intel i5 4690K, a GTX 980 or 970 *fans aimed towards to push air towards the other airflow, would this be adequate or if more fans would work? Two more questions, One i had plans to make the top light thing be the power button, i wanted to make it so i pushed on it, it would go down, it would power up and play the doctor who Tardis noise. Would it be possible for me to wire the lights into the PSU and the sound thing if i put in a sound card or a small speaker? Final question, for spacing i planned to put the harddrives in a separate sealed off area, so with a 12 x 9 mobo then the 12 by 3 area *if going by 12 by 12, i might change it to 13 by 13 and leave area for the sides or make room for walling*, would that be a good idea if i made sure they were secure, i planned to have them stand straight up too if that changes it.

 

[wicked_sticky]

Im having a hard time picturing what you mean. you should post a drawing?

Are you saying the sides cant come off becasue of the fan? Cant you have just a fan on one of the sides and make the fan wires be super long so you can still open the that side? Maybe even add a hinge to it doesn't come completely off?

use this on thefoor in the front as your power button
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6509/ele-308/Amber_Illuminated_Vandal_Resistant_Momentary_Switch_-_22mm_-_Silver_Housing_-_Dot_Illumination.html?tl=g44c153&id=4xrpqM2S

 

[Rockergage]

Im having a hard time picturing what you mean. you should post a drawing?

Are you saying the sides cant come off becasue of the fan? Cant you have just a fan on one of the sides and make the fan wires be super long so you can still open the that side? Maybe even add a hinge to it doesn't come completely off?

use this on thefoor in the front as your power button
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6509/ele-308/Amber_Illuminated_Vandal_Resistant_Momentary_Switch_-_22mm_-_Silver_Housing_-_Dot_Illumination.html?tl=g44c153&id=4xrpqM2S

http://

 

[wicked_sticky]

If you havent bought a power supply yet.

this is a great deal:
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-BRONZE-Continuous-Warranty-100-B1-0600-KR/dp/B00EON40CS/ref=sr_1_1?tag=slickdeals&ascsubtag=61d90296af3611e5b01ea2932ad256f20001&ie=UTF8&qid=1451499239&sr=8-1&keywords=EVGA+600B+600+Watt+Power+Supply+PSU+80%2B+Bronze

wont last

 

[Rockergage]

If you havent bought a power supply yet.

this is a great deal:
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-BRONZE-Continuous-Warranty-100-B1-0600-KR/dp/B00EON40CS/ref=sr_1_1?tag=slickdeals&ascsubtag=61d90296af3611e5b01ea2932ad256f20001&ie=UTF8&qid=1451499239&sr=8-1&keywords=EVGA+600B+600+Watt+Power+Supply+PSU+80%2B+Bronze

wont last

I was at bestbuy, saw one for only a little bit more then the one you showed and thought having it ready to go would help me with building so i paid the little bit more.

 

[Franklin_4]

Any pics on your progress yet? also, corsair is having good sales on their products at newegg, just don't mess with any that require a mail in rebate to get a good deal. their rebate process is a nightmare

 

[Rockergage]

Any pics on your progress yet? also, corsair is having good sales on their products at newegg, just don't mess with any that require a mail in rebate to get a good deal. their rebate process is a nightmare

Currently it is just two boards of wood and a small collections of pc parts sitting on a bedside table. i plan to start working on the construction next week and then to install the pc hopefully that weekend. i am at a point where i am arguing over whether i should try to make it look like a tardis as much as possible or skip some steps and just get it done. I.E for the lantern on top of the Tardis i could buy a 25$ look alike or a 5$ one that looks okay from a distance. i always could replace the lantern later but the other points are the indents as since fans are in metric they are weird with doing inches, The signs will probably be painted and the paint i am arguing whether to buy the 0, 59, 111 being RGB colored paint or just blue paint. IN the end from far away and to a Doctor Who fan that isn't really nit picky it will look fine but to the die hard whovians it will probably be an insult.

Newegg's deal today is 8gbs of ram *2x4gb* for 29.99 which is pretty good.

 

[Franklin_4]

yeh ill be buying one of those RAM deals. G.Skill Ripjaws are only on sale today, and the G.Skill Ares Series + Crucial Ballistix Sport have a special promo card until tomorrow (1/4/16). I want blue instead of red so i'll be ordering the Ares Series

 

[Franklin_4]

Anyway, you should post pictures so we can all enjoy your progress haha

 

[Rockergage]

Anyway, you should post pictures so we can all enjoy your progress haha

I'll post the final project with and without the pc in

 

[computers_are_freaky]

Hi guys, love the tardis idea. You could create a custom startup music that matches the Doctor who theme tune or the sound the tardis makes
I'm building a similar project right now (literally, we just took a break and I found this) and would like to ask: is it absolutely essencial to line the case with metal?
I have my mobo only screwed into the top 4 holes of an old mobo backplate but it is micro ATX and the graphics card slot is withing the "square" that is supported. I REALLY don't want chicken wire or aluminum in my case because it is basically an enclosed test bench with a transparent top, so it would ruin the look I'm going for. I was thinking of "grounding" it to my radiator (my room has a 2m by 1m radiator that's solid metal). I can post a pic of my current "case" if anyone is interrested.

 

[Rockergage]

Hi guys, love the tardis idea. You could create a custom startup music that matches the Doctor who theme tune or the sound the tardis makes
I'm building a similar project right now (literally, we just took a break and I found this) and would like to ask: is it absolutely essencial to line the case with metal?
I have my mobo only screwed into the top 4 holes of an old mobo backplate but it is micro ATX and the graphics card slot is withing the "square" that is supported. I REALLY don't want chicken wire or aluminum in my case because it is basically an enclosed test bench with a transparent top, so it would ruin the look I'm going for. I was thinking of "grounding" it to my radiator (my room has a 2m by 1m radiator that's solid metal). I can post a pic of my current "case" if anyone is interrested.

Currently my plan is to line it with Cardboard which will basically make it look kinda white trash but makeshift repairs are part of the tardis look, i also don't plan to make the windows on the top actual windows and just gray and black paint. My build is much more looks then i guess one would say efficiency. I am currently using a router to cut 4''x 4'' indents about 3/8'' into the wood and then i plan to cut out corner pieces so it looks like there is 3 layers to the walls but i don't know what i am going to do to open it if i do that.

Now why don't you try this, take your tray and line the bottom and sides with cardboard making in an enclosure, then put tray to your case and then, if you have one, take the little metal piece for the mobo where it labels what each port does and use that as a guide to cut holes. i had took a tray out of a case, saw it was micro atx, ordered an ATX one on this website and i have to cut it down about 1/4" or less just to make sure it fits. It will be pretty simply and i just need to make sure i grind it down so its smooth.

 

[computers_are_freaky]

I just used an angle grinder (don't own a dremel) and hacked off the back of the case and the mobo plate in one big piece, the cut off all the PCI-E covers bar 2, the ones I need for my GPU, and shortened the mobo plate until it was the size of my motherboard. Works perfectly and means a lot less wood work, just need to cut two big rectangles in the back of my wooden case now instead of a dozen small holes.

 

[Rockergage]

What should I do about PCI slots for my GPU, the tray it doesn't have a side for PCI expansion slots. The boards are half and inch thick should I try to go so the gpu goes through the hole and into the slot or have the bracket are be in the case?

 

[computers_are_freaky]

I can send you a picture of the holes in the wood for my build, to give you an idea if you want. You just need to cut out a rectangle where the card needs to go into the wood.
I'll post a few pics later

 

[Rockergage]

Been making a lot of bad cuts but I think I am getting it worked out and I am going to get the boards I need done then router and make edges then I will just need some last pieces like the signs and painting, I think I am going back on my original idea of the motherboard laying flat to having it on the wall and then build my own barriers for the PSU and get the fans set up. I might try to make my own powerbutton but it feels out of place and I think hiding it in the lamp, which I also need to buy as most of them aren't right I've seen and too much.

 

[Rockergage]

Since a fan is Only attached on one side could I cut out the plastic so the fan guard is gone and house it in the wood or should I just go with the fans regular.

 

[Rockergage]

Since a fan is Only attached on one side could I cut out the plastic so the fan guard is gone and house it in the wood or should I just go with the fans regular.

 

[computers_are_freaky]

I did it by cutting the shape of the fan (including the fan guard) into the wood and basically using a friction fit so that it is flush with the side. You need to be really procise with your cuts, but if it works, it looks good, almost like it's part of the side.

 

[Rockergage]

Got an Old 80mm fan cut out as practice so I plan to do 4 120mm ones next for the install and just have to router, paint, and assemble the pc

I am now wondering wither I should buy a gtx 980ti now or wait for the gtx 1000 to come out and see if the price drops

Edit: What GPU should i buy, GTX 980, GTX 970, GTX 980ti, R9 390x, R9 Fury, or R9 Nano i would like to do VR when it becomes much more prominant and cheaper. If you say GTX should i wait for the GTX 1000 to see if the price drops?

 

[computers_are_freaky]

There could be a problem with that. I read an article on another site that was skeptical about the release date of pascal (something about strange shipping manifests). Anyway, If you want to do VR, then just get the most powerful card you can, however, DO NOT GET THE 980, it is overpriced. From what I hear, the nano is a good value card with this latest price drop (down to 450$) and performs about the same, if not better (it can get more than 60fps maxingout games at 1440p). A GTX 970 and r9 390 are barely entry level for VR, you will only be able to run low resolution headsets (1080p) at good enough fps to prevent nausea. If you want VR though, and you say "more prominent and cheaper" then that is a LONG time coming (there is barely any content right now and headsets aren't cheap). It will be AT LEAST a year before there is a good amount of content. Think of it like a console, on release there are only about a dozen games, it takes time for good games to come out.

I would recommend that you buy whatever GPU suits your current gaming needs, then upgrade in a year or 2 when VR is more accesible. If you do not want to wait though, and want VR ASAP, then get the best cards, so either a 980Ti or the Fury X. If you plan on getting a VR headset with a 4K screen, then you will need 2 of the above cards.

If you think this is overkill, then bear in mind that VR needs a MINIMUN 90FPS to prevent nausea, otherwise it makes you feel wierd and sick. It is also much better to have higher resolution screen (1080p is possible, but higher is better). I have personally already tried a VR headset, it was running 1080p and close to 100fps, and I still got a headache in about 2 minutes and started feeling sick (the second may just be a consequence of the vidoe/game though, it was a rolercoaster ride). I recommend, that unless you have several grand lighing around, you wait a while for VR, a LONG while.

 

[Rockergage]

There could be a problem with that. I read an article on another site that was skeptical about the release date of pascal (something about strange shipping manifests). Anyway, If you want to do VR, then just get the most powerful card you can, however, DO NOT GET THE 980, it is overpriced. From what I hear, the nano is a good value card with this latest price drop (down to 450$) and performs about the same, if not better (it can get more than 60fps maxingout games at 1440p). A GTX 970 and r9 390 are barely entry level for VR, you will only be able to run low resolution headsets (1080p) at good enough fps to prevent nausea. If you want VR though, and you say "more prominent and cheaper" then that is a LONG time coming (there is barely any content right now and headsets aren't cheap). It will be AT LEAST a year before there is a good amount of content. Think of it like a console, on release there are only about a dozen games, it takes time for good games to come out.

I would recommend that you buy whatever GPU suits your current gaming needs, then upgrade in a year or 2 when VR is more accesible. If you do not want to wait though, and want VR ASAP, then get the best cards, so either a 980Ti or the Fury X. If you plan on getting a VR headset with a 4K screen, then you will need 2 of the above cards.

If you think this is overkill, then bear in mind that VR needs a MINIMUN 90FPS to prevent nausea, otherwise it makes you feel wierd and sick. It is also much better to have higher resolution screen (1080p is possible, but higher is better). I have personally already tried a VR headset, it was running 1080p and close to 100fps, and I still got a headache in about 2 minutes and started feeling sick (the second may just be a consequence of the vidoe/game though, it was a rolercoaster ride). I recommend, that unless you have several grand lighing around, you wait a while for VR, a LONG while.

When I mean more prominent I just mean q4 or q1 of the next year when Valves htc vive is released. Also one thing to be noted about VR is that when they are optimized Gtx 970 will become one of the norms for vr so they will try to get the standard for that as it is the most common for steam. I haven't seen much of the gtx 980 but it seems fine and is actually cheaper then the nano, and since it uses less power i can oc it more. Gtx 980ti seems like what I want to get and I think that is my plan. Get an ssd to boot faster and have a pc till 2022 probably

 

[computers_are_freaky]

A GTX 970 with a decent OC is the about the same as a reference 980. That is why I say it is overpriced. Also, I never said the 970 wasn't capable of VR, it is perfectly fine, but only for 1080p, there is no way you will get a playable experience at 1440p or god forbid 4K. Hence the higher cards. The nano also has HBM memory and is epic in gaming. If you are waiting a year anyway, then yeah, I think you ought to wait for the next generation and get more bang for your buck, unless you still need a high end video card now, in which case get the 980ti.

I want to add though, that having a pc for 6 years with no upgrades will mean a drastic decrease in performance, what with ever evolving titles and such. Awesomesauce Network did a video comparing two pcs that had equivalent parts (570 and 970, 2600k and 6700k) and it turned out the old gpu was giving 50% the performance of the current gpu in modern titles and benchmarks. You should therefore be aware that if you want this pc to last 6 years, you will not be able to do so without dialing down settings towards the end and you may also have to change your storage in future.

 

[Rockergage]

A GTX 970 with a decent OC is the about the same as a reference 980. That is why I say it is overpriced. Also, I never said the 970 wasn't capable of VR, it is perfectly fine, but only for 1080p, there is no way you will get a playable experience at 1440p or god forbid 4K. Hence the higher cards. The nano also has HBM memory and is epic in gaming. If you are waiting a year anyway, then yeah, I think you ought to wait for the next generation and get more bang for your buck, unless you still need a high end video card now, in which case get the 980ti.

I want to add though, that having a pc for 6 years with no upgrades will mean a drastic decrease in performance, what with ever evolving titles and such. Awesomesauce Network did a video comparing two pcs that had equivalent parts (570 and 970, 2600k and 6700k) and it turned out the old gpu was giving 50% the performance of the current gpu in modern titles and benchmarks. You should therefore be aware that if you want this pc to last 6 years, you will not be able to do so without dialing down settings towards the end and you may also have to change your storage in future.

yeah i think the GTX 970 OC'd will be best currently, later on i will upgrade to either the new GTX 1000 or the Titan, or buy a gtx 970 and a new motherboard to SLI.

 

[Rockergage]

Just ordered some drive bays and velcro strips, i will use the velcro strips to hold the PSU, and the Drive bays to hold my 1TB HDD, and the new SSD i am planning to get. I've been working on the actual wooden part and it is looking great so far, just need to Router out one more board and then cut the guards off the fans before i can install the fans. For later upgrading i've decided that i will keep the back two walls not glued and have them screwed in and have one of the boards hold most of the computer as it will hold the Mobo and all of its addons and the four fans while the Psu, Drive bays, and anything else i shove in there will occupy the other, So when i want to upgrade i take off the wall with the PSU, i will then disconnect the sata cables and unvelcro my PSU and then gently lay the other wall down without having two much worry about the cables being stretch, but upgrading seems far in the future for me.

SSD's wise i've decided to go with the Adata 480GB SSD on Newegg which is going for 124.99$ and is one of the cheaper SSD's for that price range but will come with Acronis True Image so my plan is to my 1TB hard drive a clone of my 500GB HDD so that i just copy over my over a day long downloads of games, *512KBS average download speed* This will allow me to easily get started playing and i can just put my select games on the SSD and leave the Hard Drive for everything else.

 

[Rockergage]

http://i.imgur.com/9SSClAv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0UhrMFj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5XRykBB.jpg
Update on the project, think i've nearly done it. going to get hte SSD nad OS first then the GTX 970. I plan to paint it in the next week or so an have it up and running then later on upgrade to the new GPU and use a shitty AMD radeon 1gb card for casual gaming so i can play... minecraft at 56fps.