Case Design for Liquid Cooling

[Pedalmonkey]

Mick, just a strange idea but what about a M-ATX version of this case?? Same depth and width but just cut the top rad section off and shorten the mid section for a M-ATX board rather than an ATX board. I know i would personaly buy one from who ever produced it and im sure some people looking for a SFF would too.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

Mick, just a strange idea but what about a M-ATX version of this case?? Same depth and width but just cut the top rad section off and shorten the mid section for a M-ATX board rather than an ATX board. I know i would personaly buy one from who ever produced it and im sure some people looking for a SFF would too.

A good idea mate, I myself have been envisioning very many variations that could be added on from this case.... so many things a good "in touch" designer could do for the market....

[Pedalmonkey]

yeah, i guess with the right kind of support, skills, and imagination/community in place some very cool cases could be built from this general design. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME MICK!! hope someone will pick this up. I know if their smart they will.

[Mick64]

Thanks for your support guys, and thanks SNiiPE for your help! I also think a smaller 'Mini' version would be a good idea.....

[Waterlogged]

Mick, just a strange idea but what about a M-ATX version of this case?? Same depth and width but just cut the top rad section off and shorten the mid section for a M-ATX board rather than an ATX board. I know i would personaly buy one from who ever produced it and im sure some people looking for a SFF would too.

+1

it would definitely make a nice mATX case for those not wanting the challenge of the "typical" mATX case.

[ryan92084]

somebody somewhere has got to want to produce this design

[Russ_64]

I would also buy one (hell, maybe even 2) if they are cheaper than a Lian-Li - I hate all these new "funky" gamers cases and there are so few real towers designed for WC.
Well done, mate. Hope it gets into production soon

[ryan92084]

also please keep the usb etc ports towards the top of the case (or maybe swappable?) i think most people still keep their case on the floor or at least below them.

[Mick64]

also please keep the usb etc ports towards the top of the case (or maybe swappable?) i think most people still keep their case on the floor or at least below them.

The ports are modular, so you can mount them in the 5.25" drive bay of your choice.....

[ryan92084]

the first two renderings don't have them like that : P so please excuse my confusion.

[Mick64]

[DeathWalking]

Dude, that thing is incredible. Only one thing I'd do to improve it (imo). Remove that hole above the PSU, and change the box on which the PSU rests to a pair of long rails with a strip of rubber padding on each, so that the PSU fan faces down towards the bottom of the case. Reason being, it's too unlikely to get a PSU fan that lines up exactly with that hole -- my way, the fan can be wherever, and still have a clear air path.

Even without my suggestion...I love that case so much.

[Mick64]

Dude, that thing is incredible. Only one thing I'd do to improve it (imo). Remove that hole above the PSU, and change the box on which the PSU rests to a pair of long rails with a strip of rubber padding on each, so that the PSU fan faces down towards the bottom of the case. Reason being, it's too unlikely to get a PSU fan that lines up exactly with that hole -- my way, the fan can be wherever, and still have a clear air path.

Even without my suggestion...I love that case so much.

IMO the PSU fan does not need to line up exactly with the hole in the case. I still say that the PSU fan is best utilised increasing air flow through the centre section.

[Mick64]

Just a small rant!

I wished that those who vote 'Dislike ' would give their reasons why. If there's something you don't like, then please let us know what it is. Even if it's just that you don't like tower cases......

[ownage]

You should sell this design, and make a shtload of cash.
Does the mobotray support EATX?

[Sadasius]

Just noticed something. It's going to be fun to plug in those optical dives when it's so close that res. Perhaps extending the case by an extra inch or so would get rid of that and keep cables tidy.

***EDIT*** Also it would be cool to add another feature that would be unique in making it clean. How about a mesh guard or something like that on the back of the Optical drive bay? Make sure it still has air flow with mesh but many of the times I am painting the back of my optical drives to hide it or match it to the build so they don't stick out like a sore thumb.

[Mick64]

You should sell this design, and make a shtload of cash.
Does the mobotray support EATX?

Don't know about selling the design, but I am trying to get it manufactured, and yes it does support EATX.

Just noticed something. It's going to be fun to plug in those optical dives when it's so close that res. Perhaps extending the case by an extra inch or so would get rid of that and keep cables tidy.

Already done that! I extended the case by another 20mm to 700mm depth.

[DeathWalking]

IMO the PSU fan does not need to line up exactly with the hole in the case. I still say that the PSU fan is best utilised increasing air flow through the centre section.

I must respectfully disagree with you on two points. First, most PSUs run temperature controlled fans that have extremely low airflow while in idle/medium load. They will contribute extremely little to airflow in the case. They will increase the negative pressure slightly, but not enough to make that design "work". Second, those ventilated PCI brackets are going to screw up your airflow pattern. I always tape over the holes in mine for that exact reason.

[Sadasius]

Second, those ventilated PCI brackets are going to screw up your airflow pattern. I always tape over the holes in mine for that exact reason.

Same here! I use 3mm thermal black foam tape. Works great!

[Mick64]

I must respectfully disagree with you on two points. First, most PSUs run temperature controlled fans that have extremely low airflow while in idle/medium load. They will contribute extremely little to airflow in the case. They will increase the negative pressure slightly, but not enough to make that design "work". Second, those ventilated PCI brackets are going to screw up your airflow pattern. I always tape over the holes in mine for that exact reason.

You may be right. I'm no expert in fluid dynamics. Maybe the vented blanks are a bad idea, but I just think that if the PSU has got a fan, why not use it to some advantage? Even a temperature controlled fan will improve the air flow better than nothing at all....

[MagisD]

Do you have a Soildworks or Cad file of this , If so .. I have access to a Guy with a CNC and powercoater I'd like to build one for myself, PM me if your interested.

[DeathWalking]

You may be right. I'm no expert in fluid dynamics. Maybe the vented blanks are a bad idea, but I just think that if the PSU has got a fan, why not use it to some advantage? Even a temperature controlled fan will improve the air flow better than nothing at all....

I don't know whether they're a "bad idea", per se, just that I get rid of them/don't like them. And sure, your idea about the fan is good in theory, but the problems with the fan hole lining up with the actual fan, plus the lack of real benefit (plus the fact that PSU airflow could be severely impeded by a thick single-slot card in the last PCI slot) just makes it more trouble than it's worth. Besides, on a heavily WC'd system, airflow isn't that important.

[Mick64]

I don't know whether they're a "bad idea", per se, just that I get ride of them/don't like them. And sure, your idea about the fan is good in theory, but the problems with the fan hole lining up with the actual fan, plus the lack of real benefit (plus the fact that PSU airflow could be severely impeded by a thick single-slot card in the last PCI slot) just makes it more trouble than it's worth. Besides, on a heavily WC'd system, airflow isn't that important.

OK, I'm thinking lets compromise. Remove the hole, but make the area above the PSU out of mesh or perforate it? Then put a hole in the PSU support bracket. That way, you can mount the PSU which ever way up you prefer...

[Sadasius]

That is actually a better compromise and good work Mick64.

[DeathWalking]

OK, I'm thinking lets compromise. Remove the hole, but make the area above the PSU out of mesh or perforate it? Then put a hole in the PSU support bracket. That way, you can mount the PSU which ever way up you prefer...

That is actually a better compromise and good work Mick64.

Concur; make a large square of mesh -- that allows for different PSU fan placements, for people who want to do it your way, and put the open rails on the bottom, for people who want to do it mine. Everybody wins!

So...where do I sign up to buy one?