Concept Project Simplicity

[QinX]

I have a 4875T and did some testing a couple of weeks back, it's used in my HTPC so that is running on onboard video. Although I am using a Thin ITX board with LP DDR3 Sodimm.

Load was done using Cinebench R15 Multi-threaded.

 

[jeshikat]

So that's 50-51W at the wall under load for the 4785T?

 

[QinX]

Yes it is.
Though it is an Thin ITX board that is powered with a 19V 120W Akasa powerbrick I believe. So add a couple of watts for a regular more inefficient PSU

 

[Thehack]

Nice frame ! Thanks for the advise, but I'm a converted 35W CPU user, currently using an i7-4785T. The NH-L9i is more than enough for such TDP.

I agree that the frame adds to the overall dimensions compared to sheet metal construction. Each square tube I'll be using have a 20mm x 20mm section, made from 2mm aluminum.

I make use of this added space to fit the fans, to create an hidden cable management room, etc. The chassis also support 6x 2.5" drives without obstructing the air flow.

The biggest space eater is the Workstation card compatibility. It requires 313mm + 25mm the the PCIe at the rear of the card.

I see. Personally I like this layout the most for matx. I will probably work on an interation of this myself in the future.

If you use extruded aluminum instead, they do have easier to source 20mm version. The slot for the screws can be used to sandwich a board, providing you plan it out.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

I have estimated the material cost (square aluminum tube + 8x joints) to 50€.

Been thinking about another design, even more minimalist. Will try to draw it tonight.

Simplicity frame, Radeon Pro SSG edition:

Edit: I'm working on the slidable 4x SSD rack. For that purpose, I'll base it around a SAS reverse breakout cable (link to valuable informations):

The idea is to connect the SAS plug to a SAS backplane, and to connect the four Sata plugs to the motherboard. This way I only have 2 cables connected to the backplane (1x mini-SAS + 1x power), reducing the cluttering.

Have to find a suitable backplane now

 

[Soul_Est]

Since I want to design a solution and not a problem, I'll start playing with the internal layout and sew the dress around the body.

So far, I think I can't go much smaller for an mATX build. The GTX980 is only for size reference, I'm waiting for GTX1060 to be announced officialy. The remaining 2 slots will be used for SSD and sound card (Audio Science, Pink Faun, RME, nfi yet).

Sorry for the bare screenshots, I have to find out how to export a view as a picture in Freecad .... or just setup the Luxrender workbench:

Those look great! Some very nice ideas that you have implemented for this case and computer. As for LuxRender, I think you should go for a RX 480 as AMD supports OpenCL much better than NVIDIA (CUDA).

Where did you get those great models for the components in the case? I have been scouring GrabCAD trying to find any that are as well made as those.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Update:

Put the design on a die, I do not need to support 313mm GPU. Limited myself to 270mm.

The major difference is sheet metal work instead of the fat frame

Simplicity v2.0: 320x260x140 (11.6L)

 

[FCase]

That looks awesome G.

A suggestion/question: I know you are running low power and for you it is unnecessary. You could hollow out the wooden base to mount your SSD/HDDs. Also you could lengthen the case to 375 and add a 240/280 radiator for WC and still be under 14L. If you don't do it, can I do something similar?

Mal

 

[Soul_Est]

That looks beautiful, @GuilleAcoustic .

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

That looks awesome G.

.... snip snip ....

If you don't do it, can I do something similar?

Thank you a lot. Please do, if I could run passive with only the front fans, I'd do it .

That looks beautiful, @GuilleAcoustic .

Thank you Sir !

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Update:

Worked on the inner "structure". This is a metal sheet with 3 bendings:

• Front fan (only screwed on 1 edge)
• Motherboard
• PCI cutout + i/o + HDPLEX
• PCI bracket support

There's a French sheet metal company that has an online tool to get a quote instantaneously. For a single piece in 2mm steel, that would cost me 56€ VAT excl.

The cover will be a U shaped in 3mm steel (quote around 20€).

I'll continue working on the design and make a 3D drawing / perspective because it is maybe difficult to understand how the inner structure is done.

 

[K888D]

Those sound like good prices for the 1 off metal pieces, what company is that with?

 

[Soul_Est]

Update:

Worked on the inner "structure". This is a metal sheet with 3 bendings:

• Front fan (only screwed on 1 edge)
• Motherboard
• PCI cutout + i/o + HDPLEX
• PCI bracket support

There's a French sheet metal company that has an online tool to get a quote instantaneously. For a single piece in 2mm steel, that would cost me 56€ VAT excl.

--snip--

The cover will be a U shaped in 3mm steel (quote around 20€).

I'll continue working on the design and make a 3D drawing / perspective because it is maybe difficult to understand how the inner structure is done.

Nice, very nice. I can only hope to find a local sheet metal company (Canada) that can do the case I'm designing for the same amount or less.

 

[FCase]

Those are great rates. It cost nearly 4x that for my prototype frame.

Thanks for the permission. I have been working on a mATX design for months. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Mal

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Those sound like good prices for the 1 off metal pieces, what company is that with?

Thank you. I was expecting way more. This is for raw steel though. Pre-lacquered and then lacquered on the 2 faces adds doubles the price.

The company is e-pliage.

Nice, very nice. I can only hope to find a local sheet metal company (Canada) that can do the case I'm designing for the same amount or less.

Thank you. Sadly, price is too often a game changer. Good luck and never give up !

Those are great rates. It cost nearly 4x that for my prototype frame.

Thanks for the permission. I have been working on a mATX design for months. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thank you ... And no problem, we are a community after all

Been trying this little mockup to show the structure. Please be nice to me, this is a ghetto mockup with what I have and am allowed at hospital:

You can clearly see:

• The single edge fan mount
• The full PCIe cutout
• The prolongated PCIe holder

 

[Phuncz]

What I'm clearly seeing is a very creative person prototyping the hell out of that paper. I hope your recovery is going well, it sure is not impeding your will to make projects !

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

What I'm clearly seeing is a very creative person prototyping the hell out of that paper. I hope your recovery is going well, it sure is not impeding your will to make projects !

Thank you very much. That will sure helps me to fight. Creativity is what my job lacks the most.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Been watching a nice video about sheet metal from the Useful references for case design thread:


Will have to bring a few change to the design. Especially the i/o shield cutout that is too close to the bending line. The closest edge will likely twist during the bending process.

The two options I have in mind:

• Make the back a separate panel and rivet it to the motherboard panel
• Extend the i/o shield cutout across the motherboard panel.

The first option is the logical choice, but the second one would keep the original idea of a single folded sheet.

While the i/o shield could slide vertically with an extended cutout, I do not think it is too important. An long as it is secured horizontally.

What do you think ?

 

[K888D]

Will have to bring a few change to the design. Especially the i/o shield cutout that is too close to the bending line. The closest edge will likely twist during the bending process.

I came across this exact issue with Acrylic bending for my earlier case project. One way to get round it is to put your hard drives under the motherboard and use longer motherboard standoffs.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

I came across this exact issue with Acrylic bending for my earlier case project. One way to get round it is to put your hard drives under the motherboard and use longer motherboard standoffs.

That could be another solution indeed, hadn't thout about it.

Edit: This will also allow a path for cables, without the need of cutouts.