"steambox" mini itx desgin

[ul1994]

I've had this design in mind for a very long time, but I never got to the point of trying to actually scratch build a case like this.

 

 

But with the recent gain in popularity of parallel mounted GPUs (aka steambox, falcon northwest tiki, bolt), I wanted to hash this idea again.

 

I was wondering if people with experience scratch building could point me to some resources?

 

My best bet right now is just 3D printing the whole thing at our school's MakerBot lab. However, I would really like it if I could make it out of brushed aluminum as depicted.

 

Feedback Replies

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/75909-steambox-mini-itx-desgin/?p=1042529

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/75909-steambox-mini-itx-desgin/page-2#entry1043937

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/75909-steambox-mini-itx-desgin/page-2#entry1045653

 

Here are some of the mentioned parallel mounted gpu itx computers as reference:

 

Steambox:

 

Tiki:

 

Bolt:

[Ryan Leech]

It's a good design

[sabot]

I have no idea, but I love the look!

[EpicGeekonFire]

Have fun. I'll buy it when you are done. Would look amazing specially with lighting... Be super smexy. 

[piplupgao]

If you have access to a 3D printer just 3D print it

[Guest]

Please make this, would look beautiful. 

[atomicmonkey101]

looks like your GPU will be asphyxiated very quickly. Add some invis mesh or some fans. 

[Cjoflorida]

looks like your GPU will be asphyxiated very quickly. Add some invis mesh or some fans. 

What he said or you could cut holes in the plexi near the gpu fan, i'm guessing the top part will be made out plexi not glass.

[BloXx99]

This is going to be rather interesting!

Can't wait for pictures!

[atomicmonkey101]

What he said or you could cut holes in the plexi near the gpu fan, i'm guessing the top part will be made out plexi not glass.

 

yeah thats kinda what I meant. You need overclocking potential for a card like that.

[hiyayhi]

Looks awesome!

[CJPowell27]

I really like this idea, but for the first pictuire, what about the PCI-E power?

He probably will be using a PCI-e ribbon

[EChondo]

He probably will be using a PCI-e ribbon

PCI-E ribbon to connect the mobo to the GPU.

 

Cali930 is talking about the power, you know, the 6/8pin power connectors from the PSU?

[CJPowell27]

PCI-E ribbon to connect the mobo to the GPU.

 

Cali930 is talking about the power, you know, the 6/8pin power connectors from the PSU?

Ah routing would be quite easy just a small hole for the cables. The OP probably is still thinking about that

[JAKEBAB]

thats awesome more of these types of threads should be made ive always wanted a computer the size of a console but no one is mass producing there just one of custom cases made by talented people like u seriously u should give this to someone like lian li or silverstone and see if they would produce it for u.

[junbucket]

this looks amazing, i really hope you end up building it

[old reece frost]

I'd buy it... I don't even own a Mini ITX mobo but I'd still buy it.

[ul1994]

Wow, first of all thanks for the replies. This project is still in the hashing stage, so any input is welcome.

 

looks like your GPU will be asphyxiated very quickly. Add some invis mesh or some fans. 

 

So cooling is also my biggest concern.

 

I think the first step would be to make cutouts to the plexi box as Cjoflorida mentioned; at least then the thermals would be as good as if the GPU was running on an open air test bench?

 

Isn't open air test benches how reviewers bench and get temps? If you think about it this way, I don't think the thermals can be too bad, as the GPU probably could eat a lot of the heat anyways.

 

My bigger concern has been the CPU cooling, and I think there is just no way around it but to use a non-enthusiast level medium-ish CPU in order to keep temps under control. The Falcon Northwest people claim they can cool a 4770k in their form factor, but they use a custom superthin aio liquid cooler from Asetek that I dont think i can get my hands on.

 

Ah routing would be quite easy just a small hole for the cables. The OP probably is still thinking about that

 

Yeah, I imagine that the 8 pin / 6 pin power cables would look strange just coming straight out of the GPU's top, so I wonder if i can get an L-shaped or even U-shaped 8/6 pin connector anywhere. Otherwise I'll just friggin 3d print one and mod the power cable ends.

 

Something like this:

 

thats awesome more of these types of threads should be made ive always wanted a computer the size of a console but no one is mass producing there just one of custom cases made by talented people like u seriously u should give this to someone like lian li or silverstone and see if they would produce it for u.

 

I've been aware of projects like NCASE that got some traction at [H]ardforum and some people got Lian Li to manufacture the case after an indiegogo campaign.

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/ncase-m1-mini-itx-case-indiegogo,23932.html

 

I think they got it off the ground because the NCase could be made by modifying an existing case from Lian Li.

 

lol would you guys be interested in something like this?

[d33g33]

so cool!

[Butterfish]

such beuty

[Mitrailleuse]

such beuty

i like your profile gif

nice build

[Clint]

I would buy it if there was a case like this!

[TheGhostVII]

If you're wanting for it to be exactly like the Steambox, you'll need AMD
 
Design looks great, though.
 

I would buy it if there was a case like this!

Agreed! Looks great for people who want something portable but don't want a laptop!

[NohbdyKnows]

You may want to have a look at this

 

Eight Low-Profile CPU Coolers For Your Compact PC, Reviewed - Eight Low-Profile Heat Sinks For Your Compact PC

 

It's most of the compact coolers......So yeah

[purplepenguin202]

If you have the gpu mounted out like that, there's the possibility of having the motherboard mounted downward, so that the bottom of the case could have semi concealed 200mm fans that could push out a lot of air effectively.  Put some legs on the bottom and you're golden.