Case Design for Liquid Cooling

My thoughts on making this case ideal :) -
1) update a bit length for this case to be able to accomodate largest rads these days - 4x140mm hw labs black ice gtx/sr1 560 ones (153/605/54mm) .. to not make case overly long, maybe fit it that way so that it's end with fittings for attaching tubes is outside case's back wall with tubes going inside through standard holes for liq.cooling like in other cases. For those users that wish using smaller rads, cut out hole in wall might be covered with simple plate bolted on. Afterall, if one pays for 'best of' case, why not make it possible to use 'best of' other components like rads? Especially when there are almost no cases arround in market that would allow inernal mount of these big monsters without customisation/cutting, so less the competition :)
1a) front panel power/reset switches and ports like esata/usb/firewire might be located on some plank for 5.25 bay that could be moved/mounted wherever one wants, to save extra case length on top for mentioned rad.
2) change PSU mount so that it will suck air from outside case from it's bottom
- afterall, air near floor is colder then from compartment of motherboard, so PSU's temps will be lower and it's vent will rotate slower/quieter.
3) add _ergonomically_&_easily_ removable for cleaning dust filters for all holes where air is sucked in case - for psu, for pushvents for rads on top and bottom, for vent blowing in case from front and alike
4) imho it would be best for better airflow to cover all ventholes with less restricting guardwires (i don't know right term, english is not my native language. i mean like round ones on eg. some PSUs vents and such), instead of some pattern small holes. = less restricted and more silent airflow.
5) i like for case to not be filled with stuff i don't use .. i'm pointing to enclosures for mounting 5.25/3.5 devices. Eg. lot of people will use only 1 dvdrom and 1 or two SSDs. Then why one need enclosures for almost all height of case?
- I propose making it modular. Eg. 1 enclosure for 1x5.25, 2 enc for 3x5.25, 1 enc for 4x2.5, 2 enc for 5x3.5 disks. With bolting on needed ones user can customise case to whatever needs he might have, from eg. using 1dvd + 2 5x3.5" hotswap enclosures fitting per 3 5.25 slots, to 1dvd and 10 internal 3.5, to .. well, to 1 dvd && enclosure for 2.5 SSDs only. He just needs to bolt on choosed enclosures (for simplicity - to one of side walls). For cheapening config/production needed enclosures could be selected in online configurator when ordering or ordered separately.
P.S.
Same thing about modular/and choosing when ordering or buying separately might be aplied to other areas aswell. - eg. to order case walls with precut windows for different sized rads, be it 2-3-4x120-140 or whatever, and just bolt on needed/right one - and voala, no custom fitting/cutting case needed at all. Also radiator mounts could be ordered exactly ones user might need for his rad size. And just like with enclosures .. changing rads, or changing pc role to eg. that of file server - just order needed replacement parts and exchange/bolt on right ones. For furthier cheapening of used materials and shipment cost(package size) of replacement parts side wall could be divided in 3 parts for main motherboard compartment (where user might want one with/without window), to part per each rad department where venthole count/size might differ. Top of case might be customisable/interchangeable aswell, in case if user wants mount rad to top, not vertically. As for front .. best would be load of 5.25 planks with integrated air filter. With optional one for 3.5 device. This way those closing planks could be used for different configurations of enclosures/extra mounted blowing in fans and such.
P.P.S.
I almost wanted to add point about holes for cable managment, but someone already brought that up here. In my eyes etalon for cable managment is Obsidian 800D. Holes for different format/sized motherboards, placed in lot of possible places for wierd motherboards were cable attachment places migrate all over it not unlike most common implementations and neatily covered with cut rubber taps. It simply looks best from all others out there.
P.P.S.
oh, and minor detail - imho it would be more stylish if corners of case would be angular (yet again like obsidian :) ), not rounded as for temjin TJ07. as free bonus - one can better use full case length in case where big rad is bolted on directly to top or to side, no need to move it back or put at distance from wall to fit with rounded corners.

Mick64: Man this design is absolutely beautiful!
I would certainly buy one and I'm in the market for nice WC case myself...:D

I really like your initial design shown in the first post, but there are a couple things about it that would worry me just a little.

1: Like alot of other folks have mentioned is wire management. The slide out mobo tray is a nice idea, but it looks like the chassis would interfere with any wires that were ran behind it...
Maybe an internal hinge for the tray that allowed you to remove the side panel and swing it out to the side?

2: Is the exaust fan directly over top of the PSU's intake. I guess you could use that fan as an intake but even then it seems like it could interfere the PSU's cooling...
Someone mentioned having the PSU draw air from the floor and isolating that section. IMHO that may not be a bad idea as long as you had a filter below the PSU intake.

3: Is the extra HD cage. It's a nice feature, but with the size and price of HD's nowdays you could easily have 6TB of storage with only 4 drives.
Maybe you could make it removeable, or sell it as an accessory for those who needed the extra drive space. :shrug:
It's not like your hurting for space, but removing that would allow for a cleaner look and leave more space for a pump and res...

4: As to making the case bigger to accomodate dual processor settups..
This is just my opinion, and although that may appeal to some folks it would probably be more of a detriment to the GP just because of the size.
With node shrinks, and 6/8/12 core CPU's in the near future I really don't see Multi processor systems being in fashion much longer (I'm sure I'll get flamed for that statement ;))...

All in All, your an artist man! I'm not trying to knock your design.
Just offering some suggestions... :up:


EDIT: Sorry Mick, guess I should have read the whole thread... :(

churchy, I think you need to have another good look through my two threads. Most of what you have mentioned has been discussed before. I have listened to those with constructive criticism and have made many changes from my first design. I may decide to make a few more minor changes in the future, but I'm not prepared to change the whole concept. To be honest, I'm reluctant to increase the size of my case any further as it is already enormous, but if people need a case to house the new bigger motherboards that are coming onto the market, then I am willing to make this compromise.

It seems to me churchy that you have a good idea of what you want from a case. Perhaps you could design your own?

EDIT: Daveburt714, as I have said to churchy, these issues have been discussed before and I have dealt with them one way or another.

Do I really need to keep repeating myself? :shrug:

Thanks for the kind words btw. :up:

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Originally Posted by Brodholm

I guess the "Cutouts" you mean the rubber thingy in the motherboard plate? If so, they will probably be just holes in the backplate. I guess if bigger companies like Lian Li would produce this chassis they would be able to do this. But right now, I think that there is bigger issues. No offense, but this might be something to consider later on in the project. First we need a prototype. The things like that are the finishing touches.

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Also a lot of people (including me) think all those rubber grommets and holes ruin the look of a case. Makes it looks cheap.

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Originally Posted by lowfat

Also a lot of people (including me) think all those rubber grommets and holes ruin the look of a case. Makes it looks cheap.

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Thanks for the input lowfat. What do you think about increasing the height?

It's difficult to gauge interest without a pole. I don't want to start another thread just for this reason. I could really do with some more feedback regarding the size. Please let me know if the size would put you off buying my design. Is it too big already? Do you think increasing the height is a good thing or a bad thing? :shrug:

Depends on how much the extra height would add to material cost. But since there are current zero cases out there that will fit the 270-GT-W555 and the case gets released in a timely fashion you could pretty much corner down the market for it.

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Originally Posted by Mick64

churchy, I think you need to have another good look through my two threads. Most of what you have mentioned has been discussed before. ...
Do I really need to keep repeating myself? :shrug:

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I have to apologise .. somewhere halfway through i stopped reading and just looked at updated lovely case :banana::banana::banana::banana: pics :)

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It seems to me churchy that you have a good idea of what you want from a case. Perhaps you could design your own?

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If you have noticed, big part from my post was related to make case more customisable to be able to accomodate larger set of possible components and configurations without doing any case modifications. It simply means that i lack designing/moding skills myself and my tools are screwdrivers not cuter/drill(and CAD) :)
As none from currently selling cases fits my dreamcase fully without shortcomings and yours being way closer then most of them i blurted out my wishes without thorough reading for that i humbly beg to forgive me again :(
P.S.
Lazyness is human nature, and i'm guessing that there will be other people like me apearing again and again .. maybe some points/design decisions/latest pics should be added to initial post for at least partial halving of that crowd? :)

Mick, tell you what. . .why don't you jerk us off again and post up a lovely render of what your talking about. :rofl: That'll draw some more reactions. ;)

Im sorry, but I just found this thread and I must say.....

Jizz in my pants? Jizz on my screen. WOW.

I would buy it if it was not made any larger, i feel for those with quad SLI but i have no use for it and do love everything about the case except the size, as of now i can handle it. seeing as it has gotten bigger several times throughout this thread already! ;)
i may rationalize so i can buy it no matter what, however ;)
Out of curiosity, what feedback are you getting from companies you submitted it to? how does it compare to the suggestions you get here?
would it be an unorthodox idea to pool money to make a prototype?

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Originally Posted by Waterlogged

Mick, tell you what. . .why don't you jerk us off again and post up a lovely render of what your talking about. :rofl: That'll draw some more reactions. ;)

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Thanks Waterlogged! :up: I might just do that.....:rofl:

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Originally Posted by Antioch

Im sorry, but I just found this thread and I must say.....

Jizz in my pants? Jizz on my screen. WOW.

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Bit of a sticky mess then!....:eek:

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Originally Posted by Shryne

I would buy it if it was not made any larger, i feel for those with quad SLI but i have no use for it and do love everything about the case except the size, as of now i can handle it. seeing as it has gotten bigger several times throughout this thread already! ;)
i may rationalize so i can buy it no matter what, however ;)
Out of curiosity, what feedback are you getting from companies you submitted it to? how does it compare to the suggestions you get here?
would it be an unorthodox idea to pool money to make a prototype?

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I have got reservations about increasing the size, but doing so may increase its marketability. Then again, if it's too big, it may put people off. Was hoping for a bit more feedback from the community. :shakes:

Can't say I've had any feedback from the companies I've contacted, just got fobbed off really. :shakes:

I know I've said this before, but I have got someone who may be able to get this into production. Not a major case manufacture, but someone who has got the resources. So, fingers crossed....:up:

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Originally Posted by Mick64

I have got reservations about increasing the size, but doing so may increase its marketability. Then again, if it's too big, it may put people off. Was hoping for a bit more feedback from the community. :shakes:

Can't say I've had any feedback from the companies I've contacted, just got fobbed off really. :shakes:

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I think it really will be cost that people are afraid of. As is it is already going to be a very expensive case. You should see what manufactures will say about the extra material cost. If it isn't going to be much more than I don't see why it should matter. I doubt people are going to really complain that a case is too big.

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Originally Posted by lowfat

I think it really will be cost that people are afraid of. As is it is already going to be a very expensive case. You should see what manufactures will say about the extra material cost. If it isn't going to be much more than I don't see why it should matter. I doubt people are going to really complain that a case is too big.

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Good point lowfat! This is something I will discuss with my interested party...:up:

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Originally Posted by lowfat

I think it really will be cost that people are afraid of. As is it is already going to be a very expensive case. You should see what manufactures will say about the extra material cost. If it isn't going to be much more than I don't see why it should matter. I doubt people are going to really complain that a case is too big.

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I see a bit more problems apart from cost to big size. Main being - problems with placement. eg. I can only put HTPC sized on top of amp on table, or full tower below table top. And even in second case - max height/depth are limited. Also imho there are people that would prefer case to be 'just enough' - just enough to be able to fit choosen rads, just enough to be able to use choosen motherboard factors/expansion&video card lengths. After all, microatx mobo in full tower looks lame :).
Size & cost because of material ammount could be partially solved by: 1) modular structure (eg. mentioned before choice of device enclosures), 2) having two (or more versions) of case for atx / eatx and alike formats. MLQC & MLQC-X for Mick's Liquid Cooled Case-eXtended :). After all - case manufacturing probably won't be in industrial like mega volumes, but probably rather small volumes (like few tenhs-few hundreds at most?). So custom order/manufacturing probably easily organisable?
As for high cost .. people here pay megabucks for top of the line corsair, lili and alike cases, pay even more for customising them - but in case of this one because of purpose built inteligent design from ground up customising will be unneeded in lot of cases .. so imho there will be target audience even at prices like 500$ and more. That is, if it will fit their needs even better then expensive cases by bigshot vendors.

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Originally Posted by Mick64

I know I've said this before, but I have got someone who may be able to get this into production. Not a major case manufacture, but someone who has got the resources. So, fingers crossed....:up:

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Two Weeks. Be Sure. :D

Hi mike .. this case is awesome , you got much talent :clap:

Could you help me doing a sketch up of a case? answer by pm please:)

as this is a case designed for liquid cooling, and aiming to give you a reply just how much bigger this case needs to be, as you have made a few posts and want feedback on that question.

None in my view are going to need more than 7 PCI slots as all normal water cooling users, or if you will at least I, put a water block and a remove the dual pci slot holder with a single slot PCI bracket holder in each VGA card.

If we do want 4 VGA cards for quad SLI and on water, and each require a bit more with then yes, its 7 PCI slot total. We all have that option, so making the case larger to hold the extra, up to 9 PCI slots on the case itself are not needed. At least I cant see the need.

leaving the case as it is now, leaves me room to put the battery card on my raid card in a PCI slot as well, it will do that even I vent for the quad SLI option. But, I find this option mostly for bencher only needs only, its a case that quad SLI yields diminishing returns with the current NVIDIA buss design. Unless they have 100% redesigned that bit, I have yet to read up on that note, the probably is that they have not done that, and they did not by all last 3 card generation designs, given this is the case, I wont be purchasing more than 3 fermi cards myself. There is just no need for anything else than benching. And if you bench only, you wont need a case in the first place... i.e. I cant see that is any need for a water cooling case, even for the most extreme users, for more than 8 PCI slots that the case has as of last renders on this thread.

http://f.imagehost.org/0187/11_10.jpg



http://images.bit-tech.net/content_i...rd/topdown.jpg

Just a taste of what I'm up to, when I get the time.....

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...alSocketMB.jpg

I think if you start making it bigger to accommodate a small niche market.. you'll lose more people who find the case too big at that point than you'd gain imo.

well on the other hand it would be one of a few cases which could take all motherboards and so on.
+ it would be the best looking one so far :)

oh noes, ATI cards!!

EVGA on a EVGA mobo plz :rofl:

That's a big case already, but gorgeous. I agree with the comment on making it bigger to accommodate small minority that'll end up with that beautiful XL board may net you greater loses with regard to those you will not.

make it two cases and charge a premium for those able to do it all. My opinion.

I'm in the "make two versions" camp and tell me when you are ready to start selling ....I'll have the big one.... Just as soon as payday comes around. :)

re: price.... well for my money here in UK a Lian Li or a M. Mods plus the taxes that go with importing etc have to be in the same ball park...that or less.

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Originally Posted by spotswood

I agree with all of the comments that making this case even bigger will further reduce the size of its already very niche market. As a data point, I've built a case based on this design and so far I have gotten zero, zip, zilch, nada requests to build another. :shrug:

I wish you luck Mick!

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Although, your chassis was in wood. It looks nice though. What does your chassis weigh?

But Mick already have ppl that want to get the "old" design. But I'm also thinking that 2 designs would be best.

I don't really think that the price of the "bigger" version is that much a factor. If you are getting the EVGA XXXXXXXXXXXL motherboard. You are also spending like 5000-7000$ in processors, graphics cards and memory. A few extra dollars because of 2 models should not be a problem imo.

But if you only go with the big version I think that the market will get even smaller. Although, there is no real competition with the big design. And the "smaller" version don't have that much competition either. Maybe MM have some chassis.

My vote is to make 2 chassis. Or just the original size.