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comments on portable case needed

Forum CPU & Components : Other Components - comments on portable case needed

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First of all, sorry about my English. I’m Finnish. ;)

I’m about to set up a powerful portable audiopc and I would appreciate any comments on my wooden/plastic case.
(why not laptop? I’m on budget+ I want it to be flexible, for example)

The main parts are:
-6unit rack case (almost like this)
http://koti.welho.com/emoulton/Puukotelo/skb906u.jpg
-plywood case inside the rack case. Separate cases for 15” TFT and the actual PC. (just a base, front and back panels)

Some things to consider:
1) ventilation: as you can see, the parts are very close together because the case is small. I try to keep things cool by using:
- hard drive coolers on both drives
- use 120mm fan
- additional fans if needed
- use Intel P4
- round IDE cables

2) Is it ok to install hard drives flat?

3) I hope the CPU cooler don’t get loose when I move the computer around…

4) Would it be easier just to buy a cheap ATX case and use some parts of it like:
motherboard chassis, power/reset switch, leds, hard drive bay…

5) I try to improve the shock resistance by attaching 1” foamed plastic around the rack case.

6) Do pc screws that are longer than regular pc screws exist? I need to attach the parts to plywood which is about ¼” thick. (65mm)

Here you can find my drawings:
http://koti.welho.com/emoulton/WoodenChassis/

Any thoughts? Comments? Tips? Thanks!

Regards,
jarizmo

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1) You can probably get by with your design if you switch the power supply orientation to the other side of the board, using a power supply with a bottom fan, and use the 120mm fan as an intake. That would allow your power supply fan to pull air past the CPU and ease cable routing.

2) Yes, just make sure there is at least 1/2" of airspace above them, as the lids disapate heat

3) P4 coolers or 4-post Athlon coolers should be fine, but the older center clip type can break the clips

4) Probably

5) Good Plan

6) Yes, but they are hard to find. Perhaps your local hardware store?

<font color=blue>Watts mean squat if you don't have quality!</font color=blue>

Reply to Crashman
- 0 +

Thanks Crashman!

You mean like this?
http://koti.welho.com/emoulton/WoodenChassis/Update/

Do you think there should be also 120mm fan in the back?
That would do total 6 fans!!! (2 case fans, 2 PSU fans, 2 hard drive fans) Isn't that too much if I want to create a quiet system?

anyway, I'm about to go and buy the parts...

Regards,
Jarizmo

Reply to jarizmo
- 0 +

oh, i forgot to mention CPU fan. So there would be 7 fans! Arghh! There adviced me not to buy hard drive coolers at the local computer store so I left them out for now...

Reply to jarizmo

Actually 1 front fan and the power supply fans should be all you need unless you're overclocking. The locations look good too, with the case fan blowing toward the CPU and the power supply fans removing that warm air.

<font color=blue>Watts mean squat if you don't have quality!</font color=blue>

Reply to Crashman
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