Describe Your Perfect Case

Daiyus

Daiyus

Member
I want to do some design work. I've been working on my own custom case projects for a while and never getting anywhere due my own inability to settle on a specific brief (one minute I want a liquid cooled HTPC, the next a cockpit rig, the next a corner desk build, etc).

So I thought I'd start designing stuff that people might actually want to buy. Rather than having my own imagination leading to never ending re-designs I could design a range of cases based on market requirement.

So what would your perfect case be? Features? Size? Materials?
 
I'm not in the market for a case right now, but I figured a small form factor mATX case would be neat, where PSU kind of takes the empty space on top of CPU - so it would be designed for AIO coolers. With a m.2 drive the system could be tiny even with a standard ATX PSU.

Poorly drawn sketch :D
 
looz said:
I'm not in the market for a case right now, but I figured a small form factor mATX case would be neat, where PSU kind of takes the empty space on top of CPU - so it would be designed for AIO coolers. With a m.2 drive the system could be tiny even with a standard ATX PSU.

Poorly drawn sketch :D
Click to expand...

Nice idea, thank you. And that "poorly drawn sketch" is perfect to get the idea across. I'll play around and see what I can do. Was there a particular dimension or shape you wanted? Cube, slim (like a console)? Also what size of AIO? 280mm? I'm assuming no optical drive considering the emphasis on M.2 and small.
 
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I'm thinking standard case orientation with 240mm AIO since it's roughly the height of mATX, but now I'm wondering what would be the best for airflow. Perhaps a side intake under the PSU, which would also mean fresh air for the GPU.

yet another sketch.

Not sure how the top intake would behave, no idea if the AIO would pull enough air to ensure hot air moving upwards wouldn't just negate most the top fan's work.
 
If we have the 240 AIO pulling out of the case at the front we can can allow the PSU to pull in the side with its own fan and include a fan at the bottom to feed the graphics card and some at the top to feed RAM and chipset:


rwcpFgk.png


Of course the fans would have to be controlled correctly to avoid a lot of noise with all the restrictions but that's a given when going small anyway.
 
Thanks. Shall we talk design details? Steel, aluminium, wood, acrylic? Curves or angles? What kind of aesthetic would you like?

And yeah, it's a shame that PSU cables aren't universal otherwise I'd offer to make cables for the cases as well.
 
Aesthetically as minimalist as possible. Ideally powder coated black exterior. If the rad's fans are inside the case, the front could only expose the bare radiator, and conceal rest.

As material either steel or aluminium, I'm not certain which would be more cost efficient custom ordered, though.

But like I said, I'm not in the market for a case at the moment so it's entirely hypothetical.
 
Thank you. I just needed some solid decisions and direction as having my entire imagination was hurting my progression into improving my design skills. I may make one anyway just for personal curiosity if it turns out well.
 
Nice idea. I would really like to see the final product. One thing... You should never include PSU fan in your case cooling airflow calculations. The amount of air that any decent PSU moves is negligible.
 
Avet said:
Nice idea. I would really like to see the final product. One thing... You should never include PSU fan in your case cooling airflow calculations. The amount of air that any decent PSU moves is negligible.
Click to expand...

Quite right, thank you. I was merely considering the need for fresh air to the PSU thus giving it it's own direct intake. I am considering recommending an SFX PSU in this type of system for two reasons:

1) Smaller size will allow better airflow through the main compartment.
2) Shorter cables provided.
 
Circular desk build with glass top and triple widescreen monitors for full immersion in the centre of a dedicate sound proofed room. Hydraulic surrounding legs so I can stand and do my miniature painting when needed or playing my guitar

Sound from PC hooked up to cinema quality wall speakers on all 4 walls.

And when I feel like it, the circular desk can open outwards so I can place a racing seat and wheel that has a motion motor feedback under the seat to pivot and tilt while I steer/accelerate and brake.

Ok, wasnt a perfect case, but my perfect setup. Either way, I would love the chance to build a large scale PC desk that "swooped" around my chair.
 
Daiyus said:
Quite right, thank you. I was merely considering the need for fresh air to the PSU thus giving it it's own direct intake. I am considering recommending an SFX PSU in this type of system for two reasons:

1) Smaller size will allow better airflow through the main compartment.
2) Shorter cables provided.
Click to expand...

SFX would be good. If it wasn't originally planned, and you are kinda putting the hole in just for PSU there is no need. It will be the same if it pulled air from the case. And the case will be ventilated.

I have forgotten to tell you about my perfect case. :D

It would be the shape of this Wing X99, but not inverted.

https://www.million-dollar-pc.com/systems-2017/wing-x99/wing-x99.htm

I would do a wooden frame in creamy white color so that you can see wood lines. It will be bigger with 480 or 420 in the bottom chamber, circular cutouts so you can see the fan blades. Loop with nice nickle plated copper pipes. with only white light in it. Simple and elegant. Cool thing is that it wouldn't be expensive. I know a carpenter, so wood wouldn't be a problem. Steel is cheep. Few tools, some cutting, good measurements and planning. There is a chance you might see it in the near future. ;)
 
I have made plans for a build in my head. It's not a case though. Not even slightly.

I won't reveal what it is either, as it is genuinely a unique design and I don't want any one stealing it. I don't know when I will start it, if ever, but yeah, I know exactly what I want :)
 
A case like the Corsair 570X but not as long, Basically only as wide as a standard ATX motherboard with room for 1 rad and a set of fans at the front, A vertical GPU mounting solution and proper HDD dampening mounts, Looks wise like this -

dMUnMGm.png
 
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Dicehunter said:
A case like the Corsair 570X but not as long, Basically only as wide as a standard ATX motherboard with room for 1 rad and a set of fans at the front, A vertical GPU mounting solution and proper HDD dampening mounts, Looks wise like this -

dMUnMGm.png
Click to expand...

Jonsbo do cases like that.
 
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