Program to design a computer?

[aikoels]

Just to be clear I am not looking for a program that tells me if parts are compatible/what parts to get. I was wondering if there are any good (cheaper/free, heck if there is an expensive one you may as well say it :P) programs to design a computer and its case. Like a program that has fans, motherboards, graphic cards, ect. of different sizes so that I can design a case and then see if a certain sized part will fit inside of it. Basically a computer case designing program. 

 

Thanks

[redhalo626]

ms paint

[rhoscrazy]

Just to be clear I am not looking for a program that tells me if parts are compatible/what parts to get. I was wondering if there are any good (cheaper/free, heck if there is an expensive one you may as well say it :P) programs to design a computer and its case. Like a program that has fans, motherboards, graphic cards, ect. of different sizes so that I can design a case and then see if a certain sized part will fit inside of it. Basically a computer case designing program.

Thanks

I want this...

Sketch up works, some popular components are available through their exchange thing. Far from ideal.

[mkylem]

Notepad. Personally, I'm more of a fan of Notepad++.

 

It's a good way to keep dimensions in one place.

[rustikles]

ms paint

Yeah, that's about the best way I've found to do things unless you get into some serious 3D rendering. Just take/find a picture of your proposed case and draw things to scale in paint.

[target39]

You can use SketchUp to create your custom case. You can also download 3d sketchup models of fans and motherboards, though not all models are 100% correct, you can still use them. Not all motherboard models and fan models have been created and uploaded either, so you may have to look for an alternative, i.e. if you wanted an ASRock Z77E-ITX motherboard model, you could create your own, or choose another m-itx model.

 

Sketchup: http://www.sketchup.com/

Noctua 120mm fan: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=c88be8ccf9cf42edc3857774751026ea&prevstart=0

Asus P8Z68-V Pro ATX motherboard: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=c19c780b40e84ea05e2c84a9e544677c&prevstart=12

[rustikles]

You can use SketchUp to create your custom case. You can also download 3d sketchup models of fans and motherboards, though not all models are 100% correct, you can still use them. Not all motherboard models and fan models have been created and uploaded either, so you may have to look for an alternative, i.e. if you wanted an ASRock Z77E-ITX motherboard model, you could create your own, or choose another m-itx model.

 

Sketchup: http://www.sketchup.com/

Noctua 120mm fan: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=c88be8ccf9cf42edc3857774751026ea&prevstart=0

Asus P8Z68-V Pro ATX motherboard: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=c19c780b40e84ea05e2c84a9e544677c&prevstart=12

That's awesome! Time to nerd out with this for a few hours haha.

[aikoels]

Thanks Everyone

[JordanMac]

I personally use solidworks 2013, its proffessional grade software and for the full version its quite expensive but i got a free licence through my college.

[JordanMac]

I personally use solidworks 2013, its proffessional grade software and for the full version its quite expensive but i got a free licence through my college.

[rashdanml]

+1 for SolidWorks, but sketchup works just as well due to the 3D warehouse. Had trouble importing Sketchup models into Solidworks, so gave up on it. I'll probably use SW just for the outer frame and maybe the detail frame design, but for actual component layout, Sketchup works better.

[YellowDragon]

Autodesk Inventor can be useful for creating pieces to be made out of steel or plastic, would be perfect for designing a case as it even has libraries of different thread types for screws.

[Shrubpig]

Yeah, that's about the best way I've found to do things unless you get into some serious 3D rendering. Just take/find a picture of your proposed case and draw things to scale in paint.

Nah man, you gotta pay some premium and use those 3d colors!