First idea:
I wanted a small open air case that would showcase GPU in a nice way. I also hate riser cables, so that was one major reason why I couldn't find anything suitable on the market. After looking for options, I decided to make on myself.
Sizing:
Size of the case is about 21x14x33cm, this is with slim radiator and 2-slot GPU. That translates to about 10L in volume.
Hardware support:
GPU Support: ~310mm max length, unlimited slots, unlimited width.
AIO/Radiator support: 280, 45mm thick with radiator on the inside, fans on the outside. 20mm thick with both radiator and fans on the inside. Unlimited thickness with radiator on the outside.
Air cooler support: Pretty much unlimited, needs some clearance between cooler and GPU.
Motherboard: ITX only
PSU: SFX only
First prototype:
I started designing the case in CAD. Created few different rough designs how I want the parts to be placed and chose what I liked the best. I then designed the frame of the case that would support parts where I wanted them, and thats essentially the whole process. I work as laser service technician, so thats what I use for my builds too. I cut first prototype out of 10mm mild steel using nitrogen as process gas.
Here you can see the prototype mocked up using magnets:
Parts attach to each other with M4 screws. I drilled and tapped the bottom plate for this design, but plan is to change this for second prototype to use nuts instead.
Motherboard mounts like this, I/O facing upwards. Another wall supports GPU.
Design supports GPU up to about 310mm in length, unlimited width and thickness.
Few problems in the first design... had to grind away some material from the bottom plate because it interfered with radiator.
It fits now, for next prototype I have moved radiator 5mm higher. It may still need grinding with some radiators:
Here is 30mm thick radiator with 25mm fans on the inside of frame, PSU does not fit like this. 45mm is about the max thickness what can be mounted on the inside of the frame.
Here the fans are mounted outside, and radiator on the inside. This way up to 45mm thick radiator can be mounted. You can also move radiator on the outside and have fans on the inside, that way radiator has unlimited thickness and even push-pull can be used.
Next prototype also has some improvements to help with cable routing, and also it adds a thin cover sheet on rear of the motherboard to hide some cables.
Let me hear your feedback!
I wanted a small open air case that would showcase GPU in a nice way. I also hate riser cables, so that was one major reason why I couldn't find anything suitable on the market. After looking for options, I decided to make on myself.
Sizing:
Size of the case is about 21x14x33cm, this is with slim radiator and 2-slot GPU. That translates to about 10L in volume.
Hardware support:
GPU Support: ~310mm max length, unlimited slots, unlimited width.
AIO/Radiator support: 280, 45mm thick with radiator on the inside, fans on the outside. 20mm thick with both radiator and fans on the inside. Unlimited thickness with radiator on the outside.
Air cooler support: Pretty much unlimited, needs some clearance between cooler and GPU.
Motherboard: ITX only
PSU: SFX only
First prototype:
I started designing the case in CAD. Created few different rough designs how I want the parts to be placed and chose what I liked the best. I then designed the frame of the case that would support parts where I wanted them, and thats essentially the whole process. I work as laser service technician, so thats what I use for my builds too. I cut first prototype out of 10mm mild steel using nitrogen as process gas.
Here you can see the prototype mocked up using magnets:
Parts attach to each other with M4 screws. I drilled and tapped the bottom plate for this design, but plan is to change this for second prototype to use nuts instead.
Motherboard mounts like this, I/O facing upwards. Another wall supports GPU.
Design supports GPU up to about 310mm in length, unlimited width and thickness.
Few problems in the first design... had to grind away some material from the bottom plate because it interfered with radiator.
It fits now, for next prototype I have moved radiator 5mm higher. It may still need grinding with some radiators:
Here is 30mm thick radiator with 25mm fans on the inside of frame, PSU does not fit like this. 45mm is about the max thickness what can be mounted on the inside of the frame.
Here the fans are mounted outside, and radiator on the inside. This way up to 45mm thick radiator can be mounted. You can also move radiator on the outside and have fans on the inside, that way radiator has unlimited thickness and even push-pull can be used.
Next prototype also has some improvements to help with cable routing, and also it adds a thin cover sheet on rear of the motherboard to hide some cables.
Let me hear your feedback!
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