Custom Case SFF Build?

[Beeeyeee]

Alrighty guys, so here's the deal

I'm working on a very interesting build (top secret topic as of yet) and I may need a little help. I'm working in a very tight space, so i've include the inner dimensions of the case as well as a few helpful reference measurements towards the bottom of this post. so refer to that and if anything is missing let me know and i'll edit the post. 

 

As far as components and budget go, Heres the build so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3dBGBm

I'd really love to stay under $750 or so but we'll see how things turn out. my priority is noise, I don't want anything to sound like a jet engine and if I have to spend a little more for that I totally will.

the case has ventilation on the sides and back, not the front or top, so keep that in mind. but it's not an actual case... so I'm planning on a little bit of dremel work and modification anywhere but the front and top. 

 

My planned layout so far is to have a mini-itx board on the right side of the case (if you're looking at the case from the front) with the I/o facing the back and the PCI-e slot towards the left.

I'll use a PCI-e riser cable to position the graphics card on its side, and the two fans on the opposite side of the motherboard pulling air out, that way the card can get fresh air, and the CPU will be slightly hotter but the constant airflow and a decent heatsink should keep it cool enough. the 2.5 inch drives are going to be easy enough to place, either under the motherboard or even on their sides in front of it.

 

Simple enough so far, but my main issue is the power supply! I was considering using SFX under the motherboard or something but its simply way too thick. I looked into 1U server PSU's and they're about a half inch too thick to fit a heatsink with a fan on top, plus they sound like bloody murder when they're running. I looked into Pico PSU's but the most they get to is 150w. right now my best option is the 250w HDPlex: http://www.hd-plex.com/HDPLEX-250W-Hi-Fi-DC-ATX-Power-Supply-16V-24V-Wide-Range-Voltage-Input.html but its $80 plus you have to buy a $50-80 external power brick. its the best option so far, but Its a lot of money and theres just not that much information on it, it feels pretty sketchy. 

 

I cut out cardboard versions of the parts just to see what would fit (see below) and, if I take an SFX PSU and put it next to the motherboard, it fits almost perfectly (though the outlet is on the side of the case but I can make that work) and if I couple that with a half-height, one slot graphics card (which will BARELY fit the right way) then it will all work with no issues.the thing is... theres none of those out there nearly powerful enough.

My thoughts right now are to have a 2 slot, 6 or 7 inch card with a riser, and since the PCi-e slot is just barley too big to fit directly next to the motherboard, it has to be a slight bit above it; we can either fit the card facing down, with vents cut in the bottom of the case, or slightly risen up for better airflow from the side vents. or we can run the riser under the card so it faces up. The reason for me mentioning this is because we have enough room to fit a about a 11w x 19L x 3.5cm tall PSU next to it. 

 

you can see the motherboard on the right, I/O towards the back and the PCI slot to the left

as well as the SFX psu (fan facing up) on the left side

I also included a PCI slot cover to show how close it actually is to the Motherboard.

 

 

Case inner dimentions:

Width                = 11.5" or 29.2cm

Length/ Depth   = 8" or 20cm

Height               = 3" or 7.6cm

 

For reference, here are a few other helpful measurements:

W/L/H

Mini-ITX motherboards - 17cm x 17cm

PCI slot - 12cm x 2cm

SFX PSU - 13cm x 10cm x 6cm

the remainder of the dimensions of the case with a mini-itx board inside are 11.5cm width x 2.5cm in front.

[tk421]

SUBBED. This looks awesome man! I would ask what you are using for the case, but it's "top secret" so I guess I'll just have to wait. 

 

Also, for PSU's have you looked at some of the Shuttle PSUs? They fit into pretty small areas. Not sure on price but I see them pop up all the time on eBay. Might be worth checking out.

[W-L]

Looks pretty cool

 

 

-Moved to Builds Logs-

[tk421]

WAIT A MINUTE! I just realized what you're using for the case! That's freakin' sweet dude!!! I won't spoil it though.

[Beeeyeee]

18 minutes ago, tk421 said:

WAIT A MINUTE! I just realized what you're using for the case! That's freakin' sweet dude!!! I won't spoil it though.

what case?  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

27 minutes ago, tk421 said:

Also, for PSU's have you looked at some of the Shuttle PSUs? They fit into pretty small areas. Not sure on price but I see them pop up all the time on eBay. Might be worth checking out.

Shuttle PSU's a quick search brought up what looks like 1U Server PSU's is that what you mean?

[tk421]

1 minute ago, Beeeyeee said:

Shuttle PSU's a quick search brought up what looks like 1U Server PSU's is that what you mean?

Similar, yeah. I guess I was envisioning rotating the PSU it would be as far away from the mobo as possible but it might not have enough clearance on the height.  Hmm... more thinking is required.

[Beeeyeee]

6 minutes ago, tk421 said:

Hmm... more thinking is required.

my thought process for this entire build.

[KSores]

im gonna have to follow this....