Does such a HTPC case exist?

[FuturDreamz]

I'm currently using a Hec 7k09BBA MicraATX case in my current system, and for my next system I'm hoping to go slimmer. I've found some, such as this Lian Li case that has somewhat the dimentions I want, but it doesn't support optical drives or any current motherboards.

Pretty much this is what I want:
Approximate Dimensions: 2.8" tall, 14" deep, 15" wide
supports MiniITX motherboard, full sized optical drive, 1 2.5" drive and 1 3.5" drive, 1 low-profile video card (using an angle riser card) and a small microatx PSU that's at least 200W, and has a built in card reader.

Is there such a thing? I'm still working out the fit but theoretically it seems possible with plenty of room for airflow.

update: it is possible, depending on the depth of the optical drive and you using a PSU like this one
Here's an example I threw together in Sketchup, using a generic video card (not sure what size the final card would be): http://www.2shared.com/file/HOlEPsYP/concept_htpc.html

I'm pretty sure it's possible to make a case that's almost this small but with this much stuff, and I believe the airflow should be fine. I did forget to make a spot for the front ports and buttons, but the optical drive doesn't seem to be the right height.

It would mostly depend on the depth of the optical drive, the video card, and the actual PSU used...

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I'm thinking finding a power supply thin enough to fit in a case like that will be your biggest problem.

 

[Layback Bear]

Can you use a laptop power supply or maybe two.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I'm thinking finding a power supply thin enough to fit in a case like that will be your biggest problem.

I did. the link that says "this one" was the one I wasa referencing with my psu mockup.
Newegg.ca - APEVIA ITX-AP250W 250W Mini ITX Power Supply - Power Supplies

 

[FuturDreamz]

Can you use a laptop power supply or maybe two.

I'm not sure. Laptop PSU's are usually integrated into the motherboard iirc. This system needs 170-220W (assuming i3-2100 and green hdd), which means a pico psu like this one may work, but the system will be at maximum capacity:
picoPSU-160-XT, 160watt (200watt peak) , 12V input DC-DC ATX Power Supply

 

[Pedroc1999]

remember that he also wants a video card so you need a bit more watts to include one, why dont you limit the case size to more or less the exact width of an atx psu, then you could buy a nice video card or pcie card

 

[FuturDreamz]

remember that he also wants a video card so you need a bit more watts to include one, why dont you limit the case size to more or less the exact width of an atx psu, then you could buy a nice video card or pcie card

how's this? Newegg.ca - HIS iCooler H775FS2G Radeon HD 7750 2GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card PSU calculator says that a 220W psu would be fine.

I'm also think that if I wait for haswell, I can just use dedicated graphics and a PicoPSU, so the system can be even smaller.

Standard size PSU are actually slightly taller than the case, so notching out that corner of the case and having the PSU outside may be a possibility.

 

[Pedroc1999]

what about cutting a hole the size of a atx power supply on top of the case and allow the psu to stick out a bit

 

[FuturDreamz]

Also a possibility. But turns out there's a SFX standard that would fit pretty well, and the case will be almost the same width if I use a low profile card such as this one Newegg.ca - DIAMOND 7750PE51G Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

here's a pretty powerful SFX PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256063

It's definitely doable now, though i should double check the optical drive dimensions.

 

[Pedroc1999]

yeah that would work, report back once youve built it

 

[FuturDreamz]

Proper optical drives are about 7" deep (mine is), which makes things a bit snug with the video card

It definitely is possible depending on the components you use.

But I don't think anyone has actually made one of these, so I'd have to build it myself. What would be the best way to make this, while still being pretty sturdy?

 

[Pedroc1999]

what about swapping the 3.5" and the cd drive, wouldnt that give you more headroom,btw nice pc design skillz

 

[FuturDreamz]

what about swapping the 3.5" and the cd drive, wouldnt that give you more headroom,btw nice pc design skillz

I probably could. That's how my hec case does it. It might interfere with the motherboard, but it gives more room for the video card.

And thanks, though virtually everything was already premade, I just downloaded them from the 3D warehouse.

 

[FuturDreamz]

After switching them, there is just enough room, if you tuck all of the cables below the drive and use right angle sata cables on the ODD.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I think I'll use Ponoko to make this, because this way I can have a really nice looking system when it is done. I just need to know how it would be done. So far I'm thinking of lasercut sheet metal that's folded (or welded), but I need to know how they handle joining and bending.


I discovered the stock Intel cooler is too tall, but if found this which will work fine.
Newegg.ca - Phanteks PH-TC90LS 92mm PWM fan UFB (Updraft Floating Balance) CPU Cooler
I now have all of the electronic components planned, except for the front panel components (USB, audio, and I want to put in a card reader)

SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model MV-3V4G3D/US

Transcend TS128GSSD320 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Desktop Upgrade Kit

Phanteks PH-TC90LS 92mm PWM fan UFB (Updraft Floating Balance) CPU Cooler

LG Black 10X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal 12X Internal Blu-ray Drive 3D Playback & M-DISC Support Model UH12LS29 LightScribe Support - Blu-Ray Drives

HIS iCooler H775FN1G Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

Intel Core i5-3470 Ivy Bridge 3.2GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53470

ASUS P8H77-I LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard

Western Digital WD Green WD30EZRX 3TB IntelliPower 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SeaSonic SS-350SFE 350W SFX12V V3.1 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Vantec Thermoflow 60mm Double Ball BearingTemperature Controlled Case Fan - Model TF6025 (x2)

PCI Express Flex Riser Card

Delrin Vandal Resistant Illuminated Switch 16mm Black - Orange Dote (for reset and HDD activity)

Vandal Resistant Illuminated Switch 16mm Black - Green Ring (for power)

 

[FuturDreamz]

Is this PSU overkill? Newegg.ca - SILVERSTONE ST45SF 450W SFX12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Due to the difficulty of the custom case and making it perfect, this is definitely turning into a longer term project so I might as well go full fledged.

yet another update: I've been using formulator to create the case. It's pretty easy and I got the entire case designed (and figured out the lid). I just have to place all of the screw holes, the mount points for the motherboard (which is basically more screw holes), and the exterior cutouts. It is being done in acrylic, which actually makes it easier to do (as some of my planned joins would be difficult to do in steel without having solder get in the way). I will have to re-do it in Sketchup so I can show it to you better, but I like it.

Exterior parts

Interior parts

Exterior parts are 3mm matte black acrylic, while interior parts are 5mm shiny acrylic

Exterior parts are: 3.5" drive bay blank, sides, front, and top.

Interior parts are (counter clockwise): bottom, right sidewall, feet, left sidewall, back (no holes put in yet), backs of the blank (to hold it in place), angle supports, then interior hard drives/opticaldrives caddy.

the front and all interior parts (except for 3 small squares and the blank backs) will be fused together to make a box shape. the sidewalls will be indented 3mm to make room for the sides, and the feet will be doublestacked to make 4 10mm tall feet.

the top and sides will be fused together, with angle supports to make sure it's sturdy.

the backs of the blank is fused to the blank, so it will sit properly and not fall out (a hard drive can butt up against it to pin it in place)

I still haven't figured out how I'm going to do the graphics card mount... and with the flexible pci riser it's going to have very little support.

 

[FuturDreamz]

What do you think of the shape of the case so far? I don't know yet how i'm going to do the screw holes, I might just drill them out when the case arrives.

I still need to do the back plate and cutouts for the front ports, but I need to find some sort of template so I can get the holes for the SFX PSU, PCI cards, and front USB ports. I have a usb card reader here that I can use for reference so I don't have to worry about that. I don't know what shape to use for the vents, especially for the PSU...

 

[FuturDreamz]

Do you think this case has enough airflow?

 

[alikhan]

Looking on what you are planning to achieve , it reminds me of Alienware X51 mini .

Physical System Dimensions
Height:
Front-Height: 13.504" (343mm)
Rear-Height: 12.54" (318.5mm)
Depth: 12.52" (318mm)
Width: 3.74" (95mm)

actually the case looked pretty neat .

 

[Pedroc1999]

you could drill or make some holes on top of where the cpu cooler would be adding more airflow, and maybe a small fan inbetween cd drive and 3.5" to increase airflow