Advice on DIY case/tv stand build

jozi

I've decided to try build myself a unit to hold my Tv. Reciever and a pc.
I can't really afford a case at the min (havent seen a affordable htpc case for atx mobo & psu).

Ive 2 options as i see it. Keeping in mind either way im going to be cutting up a case for various parts, mobo tray, pci slots, prob hd/dvd mounts.

1. I take the case i have and use it side ways, make a neat front facia for it and rotate the optical drive maybe try improve the case air flow to while im at it.

2. Build a unit (i need a unit to fit my reciever and tv anyway) and incorporate a pc into this unit. I'll still need to hack up a case as i mentioned above.

Myu main concern for a pc in unit it airflow and how to layout all the bit and pieces. How many fans, will 1X120mm fan be enough allong with the psu as exhaust?

How hard would it be to redo a facia for a case and make it look nice at the same time?

I'm not sure if this is the better place to post or the tweaking/modding forum.
Hopefully ill find some advice here anything at all (as long as its to get me to go ahead with it)

Jozi

8T8

I suppose it depends really on how handy your skill is designing a new front for a case & modding in general. You could search for an old desktop ATX case that would save you having to cut up the case & give it a new lick of paint so it would fit in more as a HTPC, get some Holt's DupliColour paint spray (car shops should stock it) which is acrylic based.

I suggest something like the L116 which is satin black but go with whatever suits you and give the case and DVD drives a good going over with it 2-3 coats, might work out. I had to spray paint a few DVDRW drives in that manner and they all came out really nice matching the black aluminum Lian Li cases they were going in, never tried it on a full case though.

L106 grey primer might come in handy as well.

As for air flow you should be able to get away with the CPU fan and PSU fan if there is decent ventilation for the unit but if it is in an enclosed space that you might want to add an extra fan alright.

I'm not sure in my mind what an all in one stand/case that holds the PC, TV and STB would look like but if you can do it sounds like a neat idea.


There is perhpas another option do you already have a motherboard for this machine as you are spot on in that ATX sized HTPC cases are not cheap but there are some SFF style cases that can just about serve as a HTPC case and are also a lot cheaper.

The bonus is you can use off the shelf components see the Aspire X-Qpack Cube Case that accepts m-ATX motherboards, the Silverstone cases & finally the Lian Li range.

subway

do you have all the pieces already?
i use a dell optiplex gx240 as my htpc
looks nicer than alot of purpose built htpc cases if you ask me.

stick up a sketch of what layout your planning and im sure youll get more ideas.
tbh, im having trouble visualisng what your asking.

jozi

Sketches :eek: I've it all in my head at the min. I'll see can iwork out something in cad tonight or maybe sketchup.

I've a Sonata (gonna kill me to chop it up) which i was thinking of using. I'ts a little batered at this stage allong with some of it already being cut up (less restrictive airflow).

TBH i could just go out and buy a unit and try transform the case into something else. Making a unit might not work out as nice but it would be a neat feature to have the pc builth into it

I've more or less got everyhting.
Asus mobo (atx)
athlon 2500 mobile cpu
gig of ram and a ti4200 being got this weekend
dvd drive from current pc
getting a new desktop case soon (to replace sonata)

subway

there was a thread in tweaking modding about a guy who built a pc into a pine desk.
search doesnt work so cant find it but that may lead you in the right direction.

Dancing_Priest

Hey
Im doing pretty much the same as you.
Ill be stripping an atx mobo tray from an old case (try your local dump's recycling area, or keep an eye out for skips) Even if its not ATX compatible do a search for 'ATX specifications' to get the universal data sheet which will show you where to drill so as to fit any type of mobo.
I'll be making the case from scratch using plywood and aluminium sheeting.
In order to save space I'll mount the drives under the mobo tray (1 dvd and 2 HD) and Ill be removing the case of the PSU to jimmy it somewhere neat (if doing this be VERY VERY VERY VERY!!! carefull not to touch any of the caps, ideally do it before it ever sees a mains outlet. Im trying to locate a silent heatsink for my Radeon 9500 (anyone got one?) and will attempt to use the PSU fan as an exhaust fan for the whole system.
Heres a very bad drawing in paint...

sarahn11

unklerossco is doing a htpc in an old fm reciever, he has a project log on the tweeking/modding forum you should check out!!!

unklerosco

2 projects i've done that should give u some ideas... First is the pc in a old amp, second is a pc in a chest of drawers/dresser...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054974208

and

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=273214

jozi

I seen your mod in work today. Very cool mod, nicely done.

The whole project so far has been all talk and no action so far.
I still have the idea in my head. Money could be getting a low, i need all i can get for college you see. And im very tempted to sell it for the money allone.

Really dont want to see this mobo go thou, DDL is such a nice feature to have!

Will see over the next few weeks how things go. If i could get my hands on a old hifi component....