Help with 100% custom case build.

[DevilishBooster]

I want to get into making 100% custom from scratch cases, but I can't seem to find much out there on how to approach it. My main concern is how to measure out/calculate the I/O shield, PCI slots, etc for the "backplate" of the case, and I don't want to spend hours and hours re-inventing the wheel since I know that lots of people out there make custom cases. Does anyone have, or know where I can find, insight in the case designing process so that I have a least a little idea of how the whole process works? I'm learning SketchUp, but what are the ATX standardized dimensions? Like, "How far up from the surface of the motherboard tray should the I/O cutout start?" and "How far from the edge of the I/O cutout should the first PCI slot cutout start?"

[TheKDub]

Well, you could take a generic case and get measurements from that.

[W-L]

I want to get into making 100% custom from scratch cases, but I can't seem to find much out there on how to approach it. My main concern is how to measure out/calculate the I/O shield, PCI slots, etc for the "backplate" of the case, and I don't want to spend hours and hours re-inventing the wheel since I know that lots of people out there make custom cases. Does anyone have, or know where I can find, insight in the case designing process so that I have a least a little idea of how the whole process works? I'm learning SketchUp, but what are the ATX standardized dimensions? Like, "How far up from the surface of the motherboard tray should the I/O cutout start?" and "How far from the edge of the I/O cutout should the first PCI slot cutout start?"

 

There are some very good diagrams online, but if you want to make a case and have the PCI-E slots done or premade you can either cannibalize them from an old case or purchase parts themselves online to help construct your case.

 

Parts:

http://www.mountainmods.com/motherboard-parts-c-21_34_66.html

 

Diagrams:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/pc-component-dimensions.157239/

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/cases/67334-atx-expansion-specifications.html

[ManWithBeard1990]

Easiest way to do it is to rip a motherboard tray out of an old pc. Other than that there are diagrams out there, and you could also measure. Just make sure you don't forget the little slits in the motherboard tray that the little tabs on pci brackets slot into, like I did. The diagrams don't seem to show these.

[Samsterstorm]

take the back panel from a mainstream case and implement that into ur design?

[DevilishBooster]

There are some very good diagrams online, but if you want to make a case and have the PCI-E slots done or premade you can either cannibalize them from an old case or purchase parts themselves online to help construct your case.

 

Parts:

http://www.mountainmods.com/motherboard-parts-c-21_34_66.html

 

Diagrams:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/pc-component-dimensions.157239/

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/cases/67334-atx-expansion-specifications.html

Holy crap! Thanks man! I spent literally hours yesterday going through Google image searches and reading through other forums and could only ever find crappy home-made diagrams. Those should help a TON! And yeah, I've looked at MountainMods, and I was considering it if only to make my "cherry" modding experience a little easier.

 

Easiest way to do it is to rip a motherboard tray out of an old pc. Other than that there are diagrams out there, and you could also measure. Just make sure you don't forget the little slits in the motherboard tray that the little tabs on pci brackets slot into, like I did. The diagrams don't seem to show these.

I thought about that, but the only old PCs I have are some Dell Optiplex desktops that I got for free and an old HP that has this super weird mobo mounting system, so the measurements would have been way off anyway. :-/

[kkpatel87]

I want to get into making 100% custom from scratch cases, but I can't seem to find much out there on how to approach it. My main concern is how to measure out/calculate the I/O shield, PCI slots, etc for the "backplate" of the case, and I don't want to spend hours and hours re-inventing the wheel since I know that lots of people out there make custom cases. Does anyone have, or know where I can find, insight in the case designing process so that I have a least a little idea of how the whole process works? I'm learning SketchUp, but what are the ATX standardized dimensions? Like, "How far up from the surface of the motherboard tray should the I/O cutout start?" and "How far from the edge of the I/O cutout should the first PCI slot cutout start?"

 

I would not recommend google sketchup...possibly the worst kind of parametric cad IMO...if you want to start with something simple but accurate, try Autodesk Inventor or Dassault Solidworks.

 

As for how to go about designing something like this, your requirements will be based on the ATX specifications and SFF specs. Also make sure you understand how dimensioning and tolerancing works...seems even case manufacturers dont even grasp this simple concept. Good luck!

[DevilishBooster]

I would not recommend google sketchup...possibly the worst kind of parametric cad IMO...if you want to start with something simple but accurate, try Autodesk Inventor or Dassault Solidworks.

 

As for how to go about designing something like this, your requirements will be based on the ATX specifications and SFF specs. Also make sure you understand how dimensioning and tolerancing works...seems even case manufacturers dont even grasp this simple concept. Good luck!

Yeah, I started learning SketchUp last night, and I was wondering how anyone can make accurate plans/designs with it. I'm installing a trial of AD Inventor right now, so we'll see how that goes. Don't know that I'll be able to afford a license after the 30 days though... :-/

[DevilishBooster]

I would not recommend google sketchup...possibly the worst kind of parametric cad IMO...if you want to start with something simple but accurate, try Autodesk Inventor or Dassault Solidworks.

 

As for how to go about designing something like this, your requirements will be based on the ATX specifications and SFF specs. Also make sure you understand how dimensioning and tolerancing works...seems even case manufacturers dont even grasp this simple concept. Good luck!

OMG... I got the 30 day trial of Autodesk Inventor today and I'm going through the tutorial.... I think I'm in LOVE!! I will find a way to buy this program, it would solve soooooo many issues for me with all the designing I like to do. Goodbye quadrille paper and pencils!!

[kkpatel87]

OMG... I got the 30 trial of Autodesk Inventor today and I'm going through the tutorial.... I think I'm in LOVE!! I will find a way to buy this program, it would solve soooooo many issues for me with all the designing I like to do. Goodbye quadrille paper and pencils!!

 

Good! We use it to create some pretty complex designs with structure and wiring. I use Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX and CATIA v5 on a daily basis.

[DevilishBooster]

Good! We use it to create some pretty complex designs with structure and wiring. I use Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX and CATIA v5 on a daily basis.

If you don't mind, could I add you as a friend on the forum? I would love to have someone that I can bounce ideas/designs off of if I get stuck.

[kkpatel87]

If you don't mind, could I add you as a friend on the forum? I would love to have someone that I can bounce ideas/designs off of if I get stuck.

 

Sure no problem.

 

As for your questions on form factors, start with the ATX specifications here.

[DevilishBooster]

Sure no problem.

 

As for your questions on form factors, start with the ATX specifications here.

Thanks. I actually found that site earlier today.