Full size ATX Shuttle project

[Kev5n24]

Hey everyone,
I transport my PC to and from work 4 days a week and I gotta tell yea luggin this steal tower around is gettin to be a pain! (Even though I did mount a handle on top, hehee)
So I got an idea:)
See I've always loved those really small Shuttle PC cases, but I don't wanna go mini mobo and lose 3 PCI slots. (Nor pay for another mobo I just upgraded to a new one!)
So I'm thinking of making a PC case out of plexi glass. I'm not all excited about it being see through but I don't really know of any other material I can cut and or bend like plexi. I want to lay all the parts out like in the shuttles, real tight and compact, mobo down not on the side, just like in the Shuttle. I know this sounds insane but I'm gonna mount the PS right over the CPU, I saw this CPU cooling device once, (think it was for use in a Shuttle actually) that was real low and made a 90 degree bend to the side of the case.. Not sure if it was liquid cooled or what..
anyway I'm looking for some help with the reset and power buttons in the front. I need something that I can just mount to the plexi that will look cool, like a switch board or something, I don't care if its like toggle switches or what..
Plus any other advice or suggestions to help keep this case small cool (as in running cool not socially acceptable)
But yea actually I am thinking if I could make a good design (look cool) this might sell on eBay to gamers who take there rigs to LAN parties and perhaps other people who want a portable PC case that doesn't require a switch to a mini mobo.
My goal is to build this case with front to back and left to right dementions just a plexiglass width larger then my ATX mobo laying flat on the table.

[OS-Wiz]

Check out the Antec Lanboy case. At www.newegg.com

ANTEC ALUMINUM SERIES MINI TOWER CASE Model# LAN BOY w/ Antec 350W SmartBLUE POWER SUPPLY, Clear Side Acrylic Window and FREE Case Carrying Strap - RETAIL
Special features including the Super cool Blue LED Smart Power ATX12V P4 compliant power supply that runs cooler and quieter, front USB ports
Specifications:
Material: Aluminum
Power Supply: 350W Antec Smart Power w/ BLUE LED
Clear Side Panel Window
FREE Carrying Strap for Easy Portability
Drive Bays: External 4 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" Internal 2 X 3.5"
Quick Release Drive Cage
System Board: Fits standard ATX / Pentium 4 Up to 12" (W) x 9.6" (L)
USB/IO: 2 Front USB port
Optional Fan(s): 1 X 80mm (front) and 1 X 80mm (rear)
Dimensions: 18.6"(L) X 8.1"(W) X 17.25"(H) Model#: LANBOY
FedEx Saver Shipping $18.00
$89.99

[Korndogg]

yeah, it's possible.. you'll have to make it at least as tall as your video card (or whatever card sticks out the furthest for you... it's sound card for me)

why do you have to take your computer to work all the time? do you take your monitor too?
i've seen people build computers in a suitcase, and they attached an LCD to the top of the inside of the case, so that it was laptopy-ish when you opened it...
heh. also, depending on the cpu that you'll be using, i'm not sure i'd recommend using your power supply to cool your CPU heatsink.... especially if it'll be that AMD XP 2000+...
just get a low profile heatsink.


edit:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=JAC313C

that'll probly keep the 2000+ at a respectable heat level *shrug*

use AS3... heh

[Kev5n24]

Originally posted by Korndogg
1) Yeah, it's possible.. you'll have to make it at least as tall as your video card...

2) Why do you have to take your computer to work all the time?

3) Also, depending on the cpu that you'll be using, i'm not sure i'd recommend using your power supply to cool your CPU heatsink.... especially if it'll be that AMD XP 2000+...
just get a low profile heatsink.

1. In my vision of this bad boy it's gonna have to be a bit higher then that.. I mean think of the full size PS sitting just over the CPU.
2. No I dont take the monitor I use a 21"er that's at work.
and I take my PC in cause my job is boring and I game all night:)
3.I didnt mean for the PS to cool the CPU, I'm just saying thats where I see I have the most room for it. Picture the full ATX mobo on its back flat on a table, now PS to one side of the V card and over the CPU, plug side of the PS facing out the back where the USB/com/printer ports are in the mobo.
Yea a low profile heatsink with a 90 degree bend is what I'm thinking of going with. Fan on the side of the case not over the CPU.. That wont work if the PS is right over it.. Anyone got a link to one?
I happened apon one a long time ago but cant seem to find any now when I need one.. isnt that always the way?:)

[Kev5n24]

Originally posted by OS-Wiz
Check out the Antec Lanboy case.
That's just a regular computer case man? Ha!:D
I want portable!
Like in the pic below!
But mines gonna have to be a little wider cause of the full ATX mobo in it and also I want a handle ontop :)
http://home.attbi.com/~oojoo/PIX/toaster.jpg

[Korndogg]

oh, i thought you were suggesting using the airflow from the power supply to cool the heatsink on the CPU.. cause that would be a pain to hook up in a decent manner..

[Kev5n24]

any ideas on how to do the buttons on the front?

[Korndogg]

hehe, forgot all about that..

yeah, that won't be a problem.
go to radioshack and look for different switches and see what you like.

all you really need is a power, and a toggle switch would work well for that.

edit:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F010%5F007%5F000%5F000&Page=1

there are radioshack's switches, and stupid me, i'm pretty sure that you want any switch that says "momentary", for both power and reset... but give me a sec and i'll check on that to be sure.

edit2:
yeah, i was right. you want a momentary switch, so a toggle switch won't work real well...

[Kev5n24]

Anyone here know the best way to cut plexi?
I guess I could get a blade and streight edge and score it any other ideas?
I'm gonna buy some plexi and hardware tomorrow and i'll have pixs up soon I hope..
Oh and theres an item of hardware im thinking of but dont know what there called.. I want like a a corner cover for each corner of the plexi box I make, what I'm thinking of acts like a decrative foot for the cube to stand off the table with but also joins the 3 corners at the edge of a cube together..
Anyone know what these are called? Or have a pic online of some diffrent types?

[Korndogg]

you're not going to be able to score and snap plexi. the easiest way to cut it is to ask the people at the hardware store to cut it for you. you could also use a hacksaw, but it's a real ***** and takes forever. a jigsaw tends to crack the plexi real bad.

you can also cut it on a table saw if you've got a real sharp carbide-tipped blade, but you gotta be careful..

i've dealt with plexiglass more than my fair share, and it's a real ***** to cut.. i just have the hardware store do it now :p

[Kev5n24]

Cabinet corners.. duh :p
http://www.reliablehardware.com/corners/images/1471.jpg