Idea for a new custom case

[TopSecret]

I have been wanting to start a new custom case for a bit now. I wanted to use materials that haven't been used before in the construction but was struggling with that concept. Then yesterday I was giving the lockup a quick clean and noticed how many dead mobos I have aqcuired. That's what gave me the idea.

I am going to try and strip as many of the boards bare as I can, capacitors etc etc off, and then use these to build as case with. Not sure how I am going to go about fabricating it all yet, but I reckon it would look cool. I will probably end up using an aluminium frame to build around or something similar. I might even try and combine some acrylic with the mobos too. The case is deffo gonna be squarish and pretty big as I want a decent loop in there too. I haven't seen anything like it yet, so hopefully it will look pretty unique.

 

[PV5150]

Nice one mate it sounds like an interesting concept. Are you looking to have the pcb side with components on it on the outside?

 

[premiumgfx]

Sounds like an unique idea! Can't wait too see what it looks like.

 

[lasher]

If you search on bit-tech someone posted a long time ago about doing the same thing.

de-soldering the electronics off the boards etc...

The looney was gonna stick it in a baking tray and heat it up in his oven then remove the parts !!

Would have killed him self with the fumes before he finished he was warned.

Never did find out if he completed it but yeah would look cool... very Bladerunner esque.

Tron mod springs to mind .. chase out the electronics pathways and put some led's behind so you see the lines.

 

[monkey7]

You didn't win Hi7 and need TTL to powdercoat your old motherboards

Sounds like a cool idea, you could go two ways with it. Either just strip everything off and maybe insert those leds lasher mentioned or leave all recognisable (s or z? :/) components on to make it look more like a motherboard case. Tbh I don't really know which I like more, both are good ideas if you have enough dead mobo's

 

[Hodgstar]

I have been wanting to start a new custom case for a bit now. I wanted to use materials that haven't been used before in the construction but was struggling with that concept. Then yesterday I was giving the lockup a quick clean and noticed how many dead mobos I have aqcuired. That's what gave me the idea.

I am going to try and strip as many of the boards bare as I can, capacitors etc etc off, and then use these to build as case with. Not sure how I am going to go about fabricating it all yet, but I reckon it would look cool. I will probably end up using an aluminium frame to build around or something similar. I might even try and combine some acrylic with the mobos too. The case is deffo gonna be squarish and pretty big as I want a decent loop in there too. I haven't seen anything like it yet, so hopefully it will look pretty unique.

I have had thoughts along the same lines myself.

I have already had a go at getting stuff of old motherboards and it proves quite tricky. I tried a few methods but the best so far seems to be put board in vice and use my heatshrink hot air gun to soften solder and pliers to pull out whatever bit you are working on. Be Warned the fumes aint nice so work well ventilated. I used a mask with a a1p3 filter.

 

[TopSecret]

Thanks for the feeddback guys,I was thinking of just drilling out what I could and then desoldering whatever I couldn't drill. I think it would be cool to leave some stuff on the boards, but I am going to mess around and try some different things before I make my mind up. I definitely like the idea of chasing out the circuits and using leds. Looks like I am going to be experimenting tomorrow I will post back with some photos of different ideas.

 

[Luigi]

Sounds very interstesting, nice idea...

You could get a pretty basic case, and then mount all the motherboards to the outside?

If any of the motherboards have descent cooling, post it in the FS section, you never know

 

[TopSecret]

After a few skint knuckles and some spilt blood, I am giving up on this particular idea. I think the mobo as a material idea hasn't been done before (to my knowledge) because it's such a PITA! I have been back on the drawing board and decided to resurrect my first ever custom case build idea, but with new hardware and a slightly different layout. Here's some pics of the old rig:

The new case is still going to be a cubic design, and be split on two levels. I am going to use thinner aluminium for the framework, and get my mate to weld it instead of bolting it like I did last time. I am also going to us mirrored acrylic on the front and side panels, the stuff that will let you see through it when there's a light behind.

Hardware wise, I still haven't decided on the specs, but an i7 920 will definitely be on the books and my existing GTX280, I am considering getting another GTX280 too. I will have them wc'ed as will be the i7. I may have to make the case slightly larger because I am going to use a triple 120 rad. I have ordered all the acrylic, still got to decide on the final hardware, and get my mate to weld the framework for me.

 

[Luigi]

Sounds good stuart, and nice rig