Delta MK1: 3D Printed mITX Computer Case Build

GohDesign · October 15, 2020

Delta MK1

I started this project earlier this year because I couldn't find a mITX computer case that wasn't insanely expensive (below $150) and had transparent side panels without affecting cooling performance. This is where I decided to design, and 3D print my own.

Components

I took some parts I had from another computer, but I am eventually going to upgrade the components make this my main computer. Here are the current components:

Asus ROG Strix Z370-I

i7-8700k

Corsair LPX 16 GB RAM (Plan to upgrade to 32GB)

Samsung 960 512GB (Plan to upgrade to 2TB)

Nvidia Quadro P4000 (Plan to upgrade to an RTX 3080 whenever those get back in stock)

Corsair SF450 (Plan to upgrade to a Corsair SF750)

Some Cool Features

Quick and Easy Access to Internal Components

The Lid and Frame can be separated very easily with either removing two thumb screws or just simply lift it off if you have magnets. I have them, but they are too weak, so it doesn't properly close. I plan to tweak this part so that it can be toolless.

Swappable Front Header

The front header can be swapped out easily for whatever you need. In this case I needed 2 USB Type A ports, but I also have a USB Type C port as well.

Future Improvements

I'm still tweaking the design here and there. Adding some improved cable management loops and simplifying the design. Ran some benchmarks and temperatures look good. However, it is pretty audible from a normal sitting distance so going to investigate how to improve that.

Would love the community's thoughts and comments.

Radium_Angel · October 15, 2020

7 minutes ago, GohDesign said:

3D print my own.

Fantastic idea. Superb. What printer did you use?

Senzelian · October 15, 2020

Nice!
But aren't the PSU and case fans working against each other?

Guerrero9 · October 15, 2020

Pretty cool :) PLA or ABS? How many hours of print? Do you lasercut the polycarbonate too?

I have a similar project too.

GohDesign · October 16, 2020

On 10/15/2020 at 3:46 PM, Radium_Angel said:

Fantastic idea. Superb. What printer did you use?

Zortrax M200. I designed it so that you can print it on a majority of the consumer 3D printers (Prusa, Ultimaker, Creality, etc). Minimum build size is 200x200x180mm.

On 10/15/2020 at 3:49 PM, Senzelian said:

Nice!
But aren't the PSU and case fans working against each other?

Yes. Not ideal, but it doesn't seem to harm it. The PSU is getting cool air to it.

On 10/15/2020 at 4:51 PM, Guerrero9 said:

Pretty cool PLA or ABS? How many hours of print? Do you lasercut the polycarbonate too?

I have a similar project too.

ABS. PLA doesn't have a high enough glass transition temperature. It was about 100 hours of printing (Could be faster given the Zortrax isn't the fastest printer on the market). Side panels are laser cut acrylic. You aren't technically supposed to laser cut polycarbonate. I believe it releases some harmful gases.