Prototype Mobile PC case I made for studies

[Felix3301]

I designed the case to carry standard ATX size motherboards and PSU's to give the consumer a great Price/performance ratio as these components tend to have better of those. Also this means it is suitable for Socket 2011 boards. That means Professionals can use this as a powerfull mobile workstation. They could install like a powerfull CAD card like a Quadro K6000 along with a 2011 type CPU.

But wait there is more with Valve's upcoming steamboxes this could be a very good candidate. Because like previously stated the ATX form factor gives a great price to performance ratio. This is very important to nearly every gamer, especially the ones coming from the consoles ( as they tend to spend less on the initial system). You could carry your steambox around to lets say your friends house because of the carry handle.

I designed the case so that the PSU airflow is seperated from the rest. On the back of the case their is a dedicated intake for the PSU. The front of the case is also free of messy cables obstructing airflow because of the slot cut out to channel them through the back into and arrea that doesn't need much airflow. Because the graphics card is tilted 90 degrees it can suck air almost directly from outside the case, eliminating the problems of rest heat coming from other components. A nice added benefit is that you can now see the gorgeous cooler design of your GPU instead of looking at the side and top. From an esthetical standpoint I think that is great because you spend a lot of money on your GPU and now you have added value of actually seeing the design

 

I am looking for feedback from you guys. If you have recommendations please I'd love to hear them.

 

System Specs:

 

4670K

8GB 1600 RAM

660TI 2GB

600 Watt PSU

Samsung 128 GB 840 PRO

[Jogostar]

like it, good idea. How heavy is it?

[Tmh85]

Wow that looks nice, one issue is that if it is a mechanical hard drive you would have to be extremely careful but that's and issue with all portable computers.

But other than that looks good!

[Felix3301]

like it, good idea. How heavy is it?

Glad you asked, I forgot that. It weighs exactly 5KG and I carried it around for 5 hours straight on the train hopping in and out on stations. I found it is very well doable. It will never be light like a laptop, but it can get lighter if it was made of alluminum

[Jogostar]

Glad you asked, I forgot that. It weighs exactly 5KG and I carried it around for 5 hours straight on the train hopping in and out on stations. I found it is very well doable. It will never be light like a laptop, but it can get lighter if it was made of alluminum

have you thought about a smaller power supply? not in wattage, but actual size?

EDIT; and maybe some kind of support bracket for the GPU.

[Felix3301]

Wow that looks nice, one issue is that if it is a mechanical hard drive you would have to be extremely careful but that's and issue with all portable computers.

But other than that looks good!

Thank you! Yes exactly that is why I made a compartment with soft cushions ( dont know how to spell it I'm dutch ) to help with impacts. But now I am only using a 128 GB SSD

[Felix3301]

have you thought about a smaller power supply? not in wattage, but actual size?

Yes that would make it smaller , but I wanted to make the ultimate price to performance ratio case for gamers and professionals that is mobile as well. An SFX power supply or tinier will always be more expensive (for now, that may change)

[mopman94]

I like it. What is the case made of? And how have you mounted the GPU like that?

[Felix3301]

I like it. What is the case made of? And how have you mounted the GPU like that?

It is made out of MDF and I painted it with a layer of white ground and then spray painted grey. The GPU is mounted with a riser card and a simple mounting system I made on the bottom of the card.

[mopman94]

It is made out of MDF and I painted it with a layer of white ground and then spray painted grey. The GPU is mounted with a riser card and a simple mounting system I made on the bottom of the card.

This is of course a prototype which would be why you have used MDF, what material would you want to use if you were to make this into an actual product?

[CatCloud]

Man thats sweet! Too bad it cant mount something like a H100 or a smaller one, althou i do se some space for a rad next to the motherboard.

Anyway, cool design!

[Britanian]

Looks good, maybe just sand the wood triangle down a bit, so its not sticking out so much. Other than that looks freaking awesome.

[Felix3301]

This is of course a prototype which would be why you have used MDF, what material would you want to use if you were to make this into an actual product?

I still have not yet decided on that. I tend to lean towards using alluminum but another material could be carbon impregnated plastic. That kind of plastic does not cause static electricity shocks and would be better able to withstand scratches wear and tear from carrying it around.

[Felix3301]

Man thats sweet! Too bad it cant mount something like a H100 or a smaller one, althou i do se some space for a rad next to the motherboard.

Anyway, cool design!

It could if I'd chosen so but the main issue with watercooling is the weight. I designed it to carry around and I want it to stay around that 5kg mark.

[Felix3301]

Looks good, maybe just sand the wood triangle down a bit, so its not sticking out so much. Other than that looks freaking awesome.

True, reason being is I messed up sanding down the wood on that arrea so I left it sticking out a bit to mask it . I am not a charm with power tools :unsure:

[MzCatieB]

Are you planning on getting this made in metal for the final version? you game me the idea for making my own case instead of buying

[Felix3301]

Are you planning on getting this made in metal for the final version? you game me the idea for making my own case instead of buying

Haven´t yet decided what material to use. But let me tell you, building your own case can be just as frustrating as it is rewarding. I am lucky enough to use very good power tools at my university and even then it is very difficult to get everything millimeter perfect, I have probably made every wooden piece twice by the time I was done. If you have a clear idea of what you want to build and it is not already out there then you should go for it. If it is already out there then I´d say go buy it, the amount of hours I put into this were huge. Time is also valuable

[MzCatieB]

My plan is to 3d model it then set it up for Laser cutting... will be running tests and stuff though.

i need a case that fits my needs. i cant find anything anywhere that works for me... the case will be to fit my needs to be honest .

 

Also i like challenges.

cant be any harder than making your own computer game/ game engine

[Felix3301]

My plan is to 3d model it then set it up for Laser cutting... will be running tests and stuff though.

i need a case that fits my needs. i cant find anything anywhere that works for me... the case will be to fit my needs to be honest .

 

Also i like challenges.

cant be any harder than making your own computer game/ game engine

Laser cutters are awesome, would have made my job a lot easier. I learned we had one at my faculty halfway when I was painting it  <_<. I just looked up your website, I think you probably have all the experience needed. I wish you good luck. What is it exactly you want from your case?

[MzCatieB]

Laser cutters are awesome, would have made my job a lot easier. I learned we had one at my faculty halfway when I was painting it  <_<. I just looked up your website, I think you probably have all the experience needed. I wish you good luck. What is it exactly you want from your case?

I need a case that fits under my desk, inverted motherboard tray (Rare to find these days) Water cooling heavy capable and upgrade able.

 

I might just do some doodle sketches and see what i come up with.

[MzCatieB]

I'm thinking something modular

[Purple]

under the wooden corner bit I'd put a front IO.

so you could unlatch it and plug in things like usb / headphones

[CatCloud]

I need a case that fits under my desk, inverted motherboard tray (Rare to find these days) Water cooling heavy capable and upgrade able.

 

I might just do some doodle sketches and see what i come up with.

Not sure why you want it to be Inverted but how about a case that works like a drawer? The case itself is mounted to the Table and incase your going on a LAN or whatever, you can just unplug the cables, pull out the Tray and insert it in a different case, lock it in and your good to go.

But yeah, if your going to water cool it im not sure how LAN friendly it will be....That is if you do walk around with your PC.

This is a nice example, although a bit different from my idea, this one built into an already existing drawer. 

Edit: ah crap the link is shitslow. 

[MzCatieB]

Not sure why you want it to be Inverted but how about a case that works like a drawer? The case itself is mounted to the Table and incase your going on a LAN or whatever, you can just unplug the cables, pull out the Tray and insert it in a different case, lock it in and your good to go.

But yeah, if your going to water cool it im not sure how LAN friendly it will be....That is if you do walk around with your PC.

This is a nice example, although a bit different from my idea, this one built into an already existing drawer. 

Edit: ah crap the link is shitslow. 

my plan is not to make a LAN case, its more a workstation/ gaming desktop style thing.

I had a few idea's last night for a modular design. like i said i will do some doodles and 3d model them.

[911^NEmeSis]

Really nice mate, pretty unique. I've never really thought of something like that before. Wont it get pretty hot though, is the mesh on the front clear?