My Briefcase PC Build - parts ideas?

[nathannitz]

Approximate Purchase Date: This month (hopefully 😀)

Budget Range: $250

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Photoshop Elements, YouTube watching

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts Needed: Motherboard, CPU, RAM, PSU, GPU?

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com, TigerDirect.com, Amazon.com

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Parts Preferences: AMD

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (only if an APU is used)

Your Monitor Resolution: 1024x768

Additional Comments: I'm building this inside a briefcase/hard case (those silver-looking cases, sometimes have foam inside). I already have the mouse, keyboard, monitor (res. listed above), hard drive, and OS.

The motherboard needs to be MicroATX to fit inside the smaller case. Mini-ITX could work, only if the price is right though.

Why am I upgrading: Gaming is becoming impossible on my Dell M90 laptop. I need a desktop-equivalent computer to take with me on weekend trips away from my home. I don't care about size, so that's why I'm building it inside a briefcase. Plus it's more fun (and cheaper that way). I need to basically be able to run games decently on a 1024x768 resolution. I mainly play Battlefield: 2142, Battlefield Play4Free, Sims 2, and Sims 3.


Let me know if you need more info.

 

[g-unit1111]

Sounds like an interesting idea. Can you post a picture of the case you'll be using?

 

[dudewitbow]

probably starting with something like this

and putting the other like 90$ into 2x4gb ram and a decent low end psu like the cx 430w or antec vp 450w should be enough i would think.

 

[nathannitz]

Sounds like an interesting idea. Can you post a picture of the case you'll be using?

Sure no problem. I will be using 1 of 3 cases. I also listed the dimensions in case that helps.

1. Vestil CASE-1814 Hard Case
Dimensions: 18"x14"x6"
Picture:

2. Ape Case Large Hard Case
Dimensions: 15.125"x9.25"x6.375"
Picture:

3. Bolton Tools Pelican Hard Case
Dimensions: 16.75"x11.18"x6.12"
Picture:

Most likely, I'll be using case #1 or 2, as cutting the case itself will probably be easier. Case 3 looks more durable, but I won't be throwing around the computer, nor will I be dropping it in a pool, so the watertight feature nor it's more durable case aren't needed as much. Hope this helps.

 

[dudewitbow]

I also assume your going to do some DIY project in order so that the parts dont flop around while in the case. Especcially the HDD

 

[g-unit1111]

Most likely, I'll be using case #1 or 2, as cutting the case itself will probably be easier. Case 3 looks more durable, but I won't be throwing around the computer, nor will I be dropping it in a pool, so the watertight feature nor it's more durable case aren't needed as much. Hope this helps.

Yeah case #1 probably sounds like the best option. :lol:

But you're probably looking at an mATX form factor for the motheboard. PSU might be a bit trickier to find - maybe go with an mITX or something similar.

 

[dudewitbow]

also when your done with the project, I would like to see the aftermath. Pretty interesting thing to do.

 

[punnar]

I would be interested to see your progress with this project. I hope that you will keep this thread updated. Thanks.

 

[g-unit1111]

I also assume your going to do some DIY project in order so that the parts dont flop around while in the case. Especcially the HDD

Yeah I'd think securing the HDD(s) would be the most difficult part. Maybe you could buy a cheap junk case and strip off all the plastic covers and use the cages for that.

 

[nathannitz]

Sorry for the late reply everyone.

@dudewitbow - I think I'll go that route with the A8-3850 and the ASUS motherboard. I saw an Antec Earthwatts EA-380D I think I'll use. For this build I don't need much power at all. The 380D seems pretty reliable, and the price is pretty good too.

I have a hard drive cage from an eMachines tower that's long gone. I'll secure the hard drive into the case using that. I'll screw the motherboard down using some screws and rubber grommets most likely. I am still not sure if I'll use an optical drive yet or not. If I do I'll mount it using some form of bracket like this. For mounting the PSU, I still have to figure that out. I'll find some pics of other briefcase builds and see how they mounted it in. For my monitor I'll use a VESA mount most likely.

Once I get all the parts I will definitely keep you all updated. I'll probably make a new thread once I start the build, so I'll let you all know once I get the build going