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Mini-itx case project

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:43 pm
by chero
Attached is a first draft of a minimalist case I've been wanting to do for a long time.

It's designed based on my own requirements, so it may be a little simple for most people. The top cutout is for a 140 mm fan, which could be mounted either way (and will probably be changing to a circle cutout). There's no power button yet, but I was thinking of putting it on the back. I plan on using a PicoPSU, and also allowing for use of low-profile expansion cards.

Any comments or suggestions? Does anyone else have similar requirements to me?

James

Re: Mini-itx case project

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:57 pm
by ces
See

Small Lian Li ITX Motherboard
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/pr ... s_index=64

Here is a better view of the form factor - these are very small cases that you can easily hold in your hand.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811112292

And

New Noctua short-short downdraft heat sink
http://www.silentpcreview.com/files/ima ... octua1.jpg
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Fans_Noct ... putex_2012

Or even better, the Noctua NH-L12 with just an underfan. With the right motherboard apparently you can fit in a 120mm underfan. Or in the alternative, you can add on the top a 140mm fan that mounts as a 120mm fan (such the Scythe 140 and SPCR's 140mm Noctua reference fan)

Re: Mini-itx case project

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:34 pm
by chero
Thanks for the links, both very nice products. Don't know if mine will look quite that nice ;) I'm planning on starting with 0.8 mm galvanized steel and paint it. Aluminum would be nice... hmmm...

Do you think using something like that low profile Noctua would make a case fan unnecessary? That's one of the things I was conflicted about. I'm hoping to have a prototype soon so I can start testing it.

Also, I believe I have about 62 mm from the top of the motherboard to the bottom of the case fan (including thickness of fan guard), which should allow for the stock cooler.

Re: Mini-itx case project

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:27 pm
by ces
chero wrote:Do you think using something like that low profile Noctua would make a case fan unnecessary?
That is the whole idea.

In fact I think you should start with the motherboard and a top down cooler... then build the case around that.

I think there is something to be said for using a top down cooler with two fans... and no case fan. That means even if one fan fails you still have cooling.

Re: Mini-itx case project

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:44 am
by chero
ces wrote: That is the whole idea.

In fact I think you should start with the motherboard and a top down cooler... then build the case around that.

I think there is something to be said for using a top down cooler with two fans... and no case fan. That means even if one fan fails you still have cooling.
That's similar to what I had in mind. My thoughts were to allow for a large top down cooler (i.e. Big Shuriken) *if* the case fan was removed. The large hole in the top kinda ruins that though. I may have to rethink that, or make two different styles! :)

I like the idea of using two fans with a top down cooler.

Re: Mini-itx case project

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:04 am
by chero
Here's some pics of a *rough* prototype. I'm still thinking about doing a variation without a case fan. With the case fan blowing into the case, the front vent acts as my own personal fan! :)

Re: Mini-itx case project

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 12:55 pm
by chero
Have to increase the length - the PicoPSU cables interfere with the HDD. Wish they went up instead of outwards.