The X Box

[DaftBehemoth]

The X Box

 

So my room mate finally upgraded his broken computer the other week, and just for fun, I decided to pick up his old parts. The plan was to build a new office computer to take to work (since I game on my laptop when it's quiet). I searched around the house for something to carry the parts in for testing, and came across my old Xbox 360 box (from the original 20GB white version). After lovingly shoving the parts into the box I biked to work, Xbox in hand. 

 

 

After arriving at work, I setup the parts, which are clearly the best of the best, for testing.

 

The Parts:

• CPU: i7-920
• CPU Cooler: Corsair H50
• Mobo: Generic Gateway POS
• RAM: 4GB G.skill Ripjaws
• GPU: AMD HD5770 1GB
• PSU: Some crappy Apevia 750w thing with too many rails
• HDD: A terrible 160GB WD drive
• Fans: Bitfenix Spectre 120mm

 

It's at this point that I realize that even if my tests are successful... I have no case to put the parts in. I figured I'd just settle for placing it on something non-conductive, but then a coworker had a brilliant idea. Build it into the Xbox box.

 

We start with the testing.

 

 

It boots! Good enough for me. It's time to get started. The first question was ventilation. I had a pile of spare Bitfenix fans, but I wasn't sure how mounting would go. I originally thought that I'd have to tape the fans to the box, but it turns out that fan screws grab onto cardboard quite well. I used my Cosmos 2's HDD fan door as a stencil and cut out some ventilation holes with some X-Acto knives

 

 

After some test fitting, I found that it was necessary to cut out the majority of the box's lid flaps to allow for hardware and fans. I also added another stenciled fan hole for the radiator fan and a simple square hole for the PSU exhaust. At this point, the case was ready for some parts.

 

 

Even with the resistance that the H50's stiff tubing gives, it still screwed onto the case very securely. The PSU also just BARELY fits between the rad and the side of the box. The fit is so tight that it actually rests on the RAM clips, so I added some folded cardboard underneath it for support.

 

 

Taking advantage of the screw holes on the bottom of hard drives, I mounted the HDD onto the side of the box.

 

 

Unfortunately it's impossible to make the cable management pretty in such a configuration, but I did what I could.

 

 

Completed cable management.

 

 

And that's that! With Windows 8 installed (yes, I'm giving it a try). The temps look good and BF3 runs alright (besides that hard drive's absolutely terrible load time)

 

 

 

The only downside is that the 5770 is still outclassed by my laptop's 570m, so it looks like I wont be using this until I get a little upgrade  :rolleyes:.

 

Total cost: 55 USD.

 

[kuddlesworth9419]

You should have used an XBox One (Origianl) box just to confuse people.

[TheSLSAMG]

That's awesome. I have an Xbox S box lying around. I might try it.

[thedave5000]

That is pure liquid distilled awesome

[chromeboy42]

Very nice, I might try this, but with a much classier and more powerful wii box. :P

[bchampion96]

This is hilarious and awesome :D

[Oseirus]

I'm scared, confused, and slightly moist. I applaud your ingenuity, and approve of your slightly insane creativity.

 

I am a little curious what you did for a power button though. Do you just manually jump it each time or did you fix a switch?

[BenD]

that's cool dude

[Guest]

Hilariously cool build!

nice job on the fan cutouts too :P

[sabot]

That is really great!

[DudeWazap]

That's really cool I like it. ;)

I am also curious as how you turn it on?

[DaftBehemoth]

I'm scared, confused, and slightly moist. I applaud your ingenuity, and approve of your slightly insane creativity.

 

I am a little curious what you did for a power button though. Do you just manually jump it each time or did you fix a switch?

Ahh I forgot to go over that. I actually picked up a stand alone computer power button and plugged that in. I just tucked it away in the box for now :P

[Whiskers]

Haha that's completely awesome!

[DaftBehemoth]

Fixed the massive space at the end of my post... not sure where that came from. :P

[DaftBehemoth]

I'm scared, confused, and slightly moist. I applaud your ingenuity, and approve of your slightly insane creativity.

 

I am a little curious what you did for a power button though. Do you just manually jump it each time or did you fix a switch?

 

That's really cool I like it. ;)

I am also curious as how you turn it on?

 

Here's the button in question. Since the motherboard is a simple OEM piece of garbage, it has no built in button. If I recall correctly, this was $6 on Amazon. 

 

I haven't thought of a great way to mount it yet.

 

 

[Oseirus]

Nice. If you found something that was similar to the power button on the 360, that would actually look pretty slick and keep up with your... um... theme. Lol.

[nickpc]

nice

[totjup5]

that's awesome! great job! You turn the box from something bad into something good!

[DinckelMan]

Best PC case 2013?

[DJ46]

Boxception!

[Nicktrance]

That's awesome :D.

[DaftBehemoth]

Best PC case 2013?

I can only hope :P

 

Thanks for the awesome responses guys! You have all given me a good laugh