Looking for a case for faceplate replacement

[buns]

Im looking to go for a new case for my pc...... now the two options are to build one from the ground or to get a case and replce the front plate. And no..... i have a dign case and im not that fussed and none of the others I have seen are particularly appealing so its easier to build my own.

So...... drive bays dont matter...... only drive I will have is a single HD. I dont need something with a whole load of space for cooling fans since im going to be doing a big celeron underclock or trying mini itx with a plan to go totally fanless. Dont need a fancy faceplate included since i'll just end up giving it the boot..... though a nice removable power reset assembly would maybe be nice. Only other stipulation..... i do in face want a drive bay or opening or mounting location right in the center of the front of the case where I am going to get a nice max orbital display.

So any ideas of a sturdy case to fit the bill? Silver or black being the color?

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[ReTrO]

Is this for the video processor PC?

[buns]

Yeah it is...... just exploring all possibilities. It would make things alot easier to do it this way....... making up different faceplates is the easy bit!

[ReTrO]

I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Have a look at some project boxes from Farnell etc. Maybe be summit there to mod.

[loonatic]

Hi,

I could not decide on what case to use for my HTPC so I made one from scratch using steel tubing as a framework and then used aluminium sheeting to form the outer case. It looks fantasitic and works a treat...also it's dead quiet with a combination of Zalman HSF & PSU + running the two 80mm front fans and two 60mm rear fans at 5v.









It took about 4 days to make in total.

I have more pictures if your interested and vefore anyone complains about the lighting it is switchable

Cheers, Lee

[mephistopheles]

What about a 19" rackmount and modding it with your own faceplate?

I'm thinking about doing something similar with an IPC-C4SB; a 4U ATX server case in black I picked up brand new for £80 on eBay a while ago. I was amazed at the build quality - it's incredibly strong and very well designed, though perhaps a little too roomy for what you want. I particularly like the slide off top, which provides access to the whole of the inner compartment.

This is the manufacturer's UK site :- http://www.pcicase.co.uk/ (mine is the IPC-C4SB in black).

Just in case (not intended) the model like mine would suit your purpose I know of another 2 for £80 + £15 P&P (I think they retail at about double that), although I'm about to buy 1 another myself to use for a new workstation.

[ReTrO]

Nice case there Loonatic.

I like the lighting actaully, nice that it can be turned off though.

More pics etc. would be appreciated.

[buns]

Lee, That is one cool case! Its very different...... personall the current hcpc cases arent my thing which is why i want something of my own...... plus no one else has one so its special!

mephistopheles, those things are enormous! the width wouldnt be too bad........ i think 7 inches high and 27 deep is a bit excessive mind you! I was thinking 5 inch max or as slimline as i can manage and get a pci card in there...... and depth wise, well i wont even have drives in there so again it can be quite compact...... im going to go and have a look and see if i can find what case serge at avs used for his run.....

thanks

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[mephistopheles]

OK, just an idea! I have a collossal black CRT monitor so I wanted something hefty to match it aesthetically! A rinky-dink little thing mounted next to my monitor would look naff.

I did say the one I have might be a bit too roomy for what you want, but they do have 1U and 2U cases, which are obviously much smaller - 24.5" x 1.75", I think, with riser cards for PCI.

[buns]

24.5 is still a very deep case.....even my amps (which are big!) arent that deep..... but that doesnt necessarily rule it out. Is there any down sides to using riser cards? it turns out i will only be needing to actually use one pci slot so its a possibility, but are there losses due to the design...... ie pci card is no longer directly into the mobo

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[dannyc]

Buns,

I have a spare one of these http://www2.microdirect.co.uk/files/...r/mpp43e07.jpg if you are interested. You can also get them new with psu for about £171 from microdirect.co.uk If you don't fancy that then they have a range of other cases that you might prefer.

Dan

[ReTrO]

Looks a touch on the large side really.

I think all that buns needs space for is a mobo, hdd, psu and a couple of PCI cards. Shouldn't need to be too large.

Cheers anyhoo.

[buns]

Sorry for not being more responsive here...... I have finals frighteningly soon!

Dannyc,
That case doesnt look too bad at all, it doesnt appear so deep as the others. I'll have a check up a bit more on it when i get a chance.

On feedback from Immersive, the Xcard coupled into my planned H3D-2 solution is very very good, so im contemplating changing plans to include a drive, doesnt add too much space but i guess it needs a bit. I have scribbled a few ideas for front panels onto paper so i'll try and get them onto file.

I dont suppose anyone knows if it is possible, and where if it is, to get the smoked darkened plastic type stuff that is used for in front of lcds? Im thinking of a sheet of the stuff that will be about the size of the front panel...... not just a wee slot of it

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[ReTrO]

I'm pretty sure you can get the stuff. Not sure where from though.

[buns]

Right........ spent last half hour trying to attach a paint image...... first its too big in bits bow its too big in dimensions....... so i guess i wont be able to give anyone my idea til its made!

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