[Scratch build] 3D printed 4.2L case build, mini ITX GPU

[ccRicers]

I'm building another small form factor PC, this time in a 4.2 liter case that can fit a short GPU.

 

This case was 3D printed by a third party supplier, using Markforged One printer and Onyx filament. This filament is more expensive than most FDM filament, but it's also a bit tougher than ABS plastic with some more flex to the material. The motherboard tray is in two parts due to print area limits of the printer. Not sure yet whether to stick with that or use acrylic for the tray. Top and side vented panels will be made of acrylic.

 

 

 

 

Full album:

https://imgur.com/a/70Ple3U

 

You can see that the top piece of the motherboard tray is still missing. Once I get this piece in the right dimensions I could add all the main components to the case. Afterwards, I can get the side panels made and finish the build.

 

Here are the specs of the case:

• Material: Onyx (vinyl with carbon fiber) and 3mm acrylic
• Dimensions: 199mm x 200mm x 105mm (4.18L)
• Motherboard: Mini ITX
• GPU: max length 175mm, dual slot
• SSD support: m.2 plus 1x 2.5" (on the bottom)
• CPU cooler: max height 39mm
• PSU: Internal DC-DC only, or Meanwell 200w

[Meag]

Very cool design for the case, post more pictures once the build is completed please!

[Ross Siggers]

I love your case, but I love the avatar more...

TRusT mE aND We wiLL EsCApE FroM THe cITy 

[ccRicers]

I received the other piece for the motherboard tray, and fits much better than the last, which was made too big to fit. The motherboard now can be mounted straight. Here's a view of the motherboard side. It's best to remove the top before installing.

 

 

When I installed it the first time, the PCIe riser cable fit in very well. The length is just right for the case, with just enough extra length for moving it in place when installing. But it was much tougher to remove it. Either one end could be pulled up, or the other, but I had to pry it a bit with a long tool to get both sides to come out easily. I think the best way is to move the motherboard slightly towards the bottom before screwing it in, then it'll be easier to wrap the cable around.

Here is what the top view of the case looks like.

 

 

The components fit straight, but you may notice the tray piece flexes a bit. That's to be expected with this material, many areas (especially the top case side) are flexible. But it all feels very sturdy when the parts are installed.

I also believe the standoffs offset the motherboard a bit too far towards the side of the case by 1mm. May cause imperfect alignment with the I/O shield (which I don't have for this board). A motherboard tray where the screw holes are recessed by 1mm would solve this, and won't make a big difference in the sturdiness of the standoffs.

[ccRicers]

I'm currently waiting for power components, as this is the only thing that's keeping me from fully running the test build. But the case isn't fully complete.

 

However, here's another photo showing how and where the SSD is installed. It might be possible to install another one in front of the motherboard but it'll make cable management harder (and there's already little room as it is).

 

[ccRicers]

I've managed to get my test build up and running in the case, but only without the GPU powered on. Got Wifi working, even with no antenna attached to the card! (the motherboard was used and missing some accessories) This is enough, though for the HD-PLEX 160 watt DC-DC and 150W power brick that I have. It's not a plug-in unit so the cabling's a mess!

 

I am going to buy a KMPKT Dynamo Mini soon to replace it, which looks like this.

 

 

This can provide up to 200W of power to the entire system (with a compatible power brick) but there is an add-on board that can connect to it to support much more powerful hardware. For now I'll deal with the 200W power limit and then get to the better stuff later as time and budget allows.

[ccRicers]

This build has stalled for a short while only because I haven't bought the Dynamo power supply until last week. But it's shipping and I should have it by tomorrow! This will go with the 240W Dell brick that I also recently bought:

 

 

It is large but also rather slim. The footprint is almost exactly the same as the case, which makes it very convenient to carry around together.

[Ross Siggers]

... I ordered my Dynamo like three weeks ago, not a peep...

[ccRicers]

3 minutes ago, Ross Siggers said:

... I ordered my Dynamo like three weeks ago, not a peep...

Damn, was it the Mini or 360W version. I thought I'd be getting delays too since the website told me it would be shipped by last Friday but I didn't get the notification until today. You should contact KMPKT or one of the staff owners of the SFFLab website, 3 weeks with no updates is definitely too long.

[Ross Siggers]

3 minutes ago, ccRicers said:

Damn, was it the Mini or 360W version. I thought I'd be getting delays too since the website told me it would be shipped by last Friday but I didn't get the notification until today. You should contact KMPKT or one of the staff owners of the SFFLab website, 3 weeks with no updates is definitely too long.

It was the 360. I actually just checked, I've not even gotten a message saying it's dispatched. If it's not left yet, I may use the opportunity to cancel tbh.

 

p.s. Sorry to hijack the thread I'll stop 

[Meag]

22 hours ago, Ross Siggers said:

It was the 360. I actually just checked, I've not even gotten a message saying it's dispatched. If it's not left yet, I may use the opportunity to cancel tbh.

 

p.s. Sorry to hijack the thread I'll stop 

Careful about putting what is effectively your address on forums  

[ccRicers]

Well, my package tracking still says "in transit" so I probably won't get the PSU today. Budget is tight right now so I really want this PSU part installation to go smoothly. But within the rest of the month I should be able to upgrade the GPU to a RX 570, and get a Freesync monitor especially if there's some Christmas cash

[Ross Siggers]

1 hour ago, Meag said:

Careful about putting what is effectively your address on forums  

I mean, without a postcode, I'm sure it's plenty safe.

The map isn't detailed enough for my road to even show up, not to mention the area hidden under the pin alone is about 50+ seperate houses.  

[ccRicers]

Surprise! Time for an upgrade!

 

But first here is the Dynamo Mini 200W installed in the case. It's shown alongside the 240 watt power brick for a size comparison. They almost share the same size footprint.

 

 

The Dynamo Mini is just a little too tall for a side panel to properly fit on the right side, but this is due to my mistake on making the case 2mm narrower than I intended.

 

 

 

And now, for the real upgrade. I swapped out the R9 285 for a RX 570. The mini Sapphire Pulse looks great and it should not get as hot as the old card (I have yet to test it out)!

 

 

 

 

 

[OdinSword]

I'm loving this design, great job

[JT8101997]

Omg this is so small I love it. Always wanted to build something like this. And the 3d printing just makes it that much cooler. Nice job man

[ccRicers]

I got a Ryzen 3 2200G so it's almost time to upgrade again. All-AMD build coming soon, just need a new motherboard.

 

[andreasjtech]

excellent work. could you share the project? thanks!

[ccRicers]

21 hours ago, andreasjtech said:

excellent work. could you share the project? thanks!

I haven't had this computer in a while but I can upload and share the STL files to print when I have some extra time. I also gotta remember where I kept those project files

[Ross Siggers]

On 3/2/2021 at 9:24 PM, ccRicers said:

I haven't had this computer in a while but I can upload and share the STL files to print when I have some extra time. I also gotta remember where I kept those project files

Dude I would totally build something in this case!!! ^_^ 

[wedgevic]

Wow this looks great! Do you have an STL file of this case? I would love to print it myself