Has Anyone Designed a Computer Case?

I have turned into a bit of a geek when it comes to building computers.  I love the challenge.  I have done some really small form factor builds (smallest is in a 5l case that includes an internal power supply). I have also done some big workstation builds that are on the other end of the spectrum and those are equally as cool but for different reasons.  Gaming builds are also neat but less challenging.  I have put together many systems for my sons friends.  I have done it with the kids (and parents when they want to participate) or just been supplied a pile of parts and I present them with a working PC. I have even been asked to spec systems and review systems before purchase.  It is really fun to see a kids build a PC and when it turns on for the first time the excitement is just really cool.  Kind of like the first start of a rebuilt engine of you are looking for a parallel.

I have come to think that I want to take the next step and actually design / build my own case.

I am very familiar with 3d AutoCAD so I am going to use that as the software. I could use 3d studio as I have that also but I am much less familiar with it.

I was looking to see were I could get 3d models of manufacturers hardware to use for design.  

I have some ideas for cases that I think would be cool for both the home as well as some for the office. Cooling is always a concern as well as noise. 

Another way to do it would be to just take a bunch of old cases (steel ones) and start cutting drilling and and welding parts and pieces together adn see what I come up with.  I would like to think it would be a bit more organic / artistic.  Kind of the rat rod approach if you will.

At this point I am just looking for input and ideas of any kind from others.

Similar to the idea of cutting up old PCs, you can buy premade ATX backplates and drive cages to stick into a case of your own making, so that the important/boring stuff is taken care of and you can just focus on making the case.

I've also thought about it but, except for artistic reasons, it's usually not worth it. Maybe to build something like a DIY Thermaltake Level 10, or an idea I've had that I've never seen done: A cube case with the mainboard and cards and maybe some 5.25" drives in one compartment with a window, then a small middle compartment for cable management (which the 5.25" bays might cut into), then a third one for the PSU and smaller drives also with a window. It'd be a good balance of ease of access, good airflow, showoff factor, and compactness.

Technically designed, yes.

I sourced a bunch of ITX parts, lowest profile CPU cooler, and smallest suitable PSU I could find, in an attempt to build a HTPC in the drawer of our buffet table we use as an "entertainment center."

I got everything laid out, and then SWMBO had a conniption when she figured out I ws going to drill a hole in the back for of the buffet for wires.  It's not like it's an antique, or really even that nice, it was free even, friends gave it to us when they got new furniture.  So I bought a SFF case and sat the Xbox on top of it.

I have done a lot of what Gameboy mentioned, I've retrofitted several early-mid '90s beige boxes with modern hardware.  I've successfully retrofitted more modern, proprietary boxes from Dell and Gateway with new guts too.  Laptops too, SWMBO had a mid '00s era P4 Dell, that I, tastefully added a grid pattern of a lot of extra vent holes to the chassis, and squeezed a tiny 5V fan inside of it, to successfully keep it from throttling anytime you used it.  I successfully, added a fan to actively cool the power brick for my old HP laptop, that liked to cook itself to the thermal safety limit and shut off.  I had another old Dell laptop that I got so sick of replacing the on board DC connector on, that I solderd a short wire pig tail with a 2 pin quick connect in place of it.  I'm getting off topic now, but I have "hacked" and modded a lot of PC stuff together that was never intended to be.

You might check out https://www.protocase.com/ for some inspiration, and maybe even a final product (they're a little pricey) once you get your CAD design down.

Following because I have wanted to do this.

I want to use a CNC router to make a nice wood case.

I want to make one that allows for running a Hyper212 evo on a video card, which rules out a lot of the standard cases.

I've been looking for a 80s/90s beigecase for V A P O R W A V E for years now.

I've considered making my own case too, mostly from old tube radios and things that could disguise medium to high end PCs well- as usual, it typically ends up that a good case goes on sale and becomes too cheap to consider, since most of these furniture pieces end up being very costly in time.

I've found that plywood and particle board aren't used enough; too many people get dazzled by hardwoods without realizing veneers exist for a reason. They also tend to make the case before acquiring any parts, which as the Small form factor guys have found works right until you find your power supply moves air the opposite way you want.

DIYPerks on youtube has some great guides on some custom cases he's built. Like him and yourself dean, i've been amassing odd bits and parts to "rat rod" a case of my own in the future.

I just did a S4Mini build that came out fantastic.   The case was pricey at $200 but it is both art and engineering melded together.  It took a lot of planing and cutting and grinding and custome wiring. But when I was done I ended up with a MSI ITX Mini X570 with a 3700x with 16 G ram and a 2060 super in a case the size of a ream of paper.   Give me a moment and I will post a pic

Here u go. The roll of tape is for scale

It is my DD at home. 

My brother built his own computer last year in a couple days. I'd have to ask him about this type of stuff..

I keep wanting to do something like a kksb gaming pc in the smallest form factor possible for my DD but lately I have been thinking just doing one monster server and just virtulizing a few for the wife and I with

That thing is neat, Dean!

wearymicrobe said:

I keep wanting to do something like a kksb gaming pc in the smallest form factor possible for my DD but lately I have been thinking just doing one monster server and just virtulizing a few for the wife and I with

I've talked about that with a friend of mine whom used to be into SFF builds.

I'd say it's a good idea, especially since server parts seem to be far cheaper and built to a much higher standard than a lot of the consumer computer supplies- but I also think the "age" of ITX sized boards a huge cases is coming to a close, so take what I say with a grain of salt.