PICO-ITX Download Box

[The boy 4rm oz]

Well you can never stop at one mod can you. With LEXA nearing its end I started to think about what I would like to do next. Ever since I saw those PICO-ITX boards from VIA I new exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to make a download box.

Here is what I have come up with so far. This was my first time using SketchUp so be kind.
Front:
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/7006/42194930fk1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Side:
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/3584/65054199qw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Top:
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/83/63499465fo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Angle:
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/4926/87073855cx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I'll run ya through it.
Design:
I wanted to make something small, light and appealing. It needs to be able to blend with it's surrounding and do the tasks I want it to.

Since it was my first attempt at SketchUp I couldn't get all the design across in the pics so I will try to explain it to you.
1. The entire enclosure will be covered in a brushed chrome vinyl (http://www.gammods.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_13&products_id=56).
2.The 4 vertical edges of the case will be rounded. This is purely for design purposes. I think it looks better than a sharp edge.
3. In the design pics there are three rectangle holes (top, left and right sides) these are for ventilation of the interior components. The holes will be filled with some polished hex modders mesh (http://www.gammods.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_17&products_id=234).
4. I didn't add these to the pics cos I didn't know how to design them. The enclosure will be sitting on top of some Mnpctech Machined Billet Case Feet (http://www.gammods.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_10&products_id=25). I am still deciding whether to use these particular ones because they are quite tall. I will probably make some of my own out of some plexi or door handles.
5. Something else I left from the pics were the mounting brackets. I don't want to design these untill I actually see the hardware.

Materials:
The majority of the construction will be out of 5-6mm (haven't decided yet) plexi with some aluminium reinforcing on the inside. There will also be aluminium brackets made to house the hardware inside the case. I will also be using some hex modders mesh for ventilation.

Well what do you guys think? If you have any questions just ask.

[nevermind1534]

Nice and small. Just make sure that you don't lose it.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Yeah this baby will be small. The pics I uploaded are actually about 1-2 inches too deep. There won't be a gap that big between the Bulgin switch and the PICO board, I will be using a low profile Bulgin switch to save space.

Thanks for your input nevermind.

[nevermind1534]

What's the CPU clock speed going to be?

[The boy 4rm oz]

The PICO boards run at 1GHz as far as I know. No overclocking for me lol.

[Eclecticos]

Looks like a really cool idea. Great sketchup models +Rep
I figure if your going to make a small enclosure, you may want to add a lock?

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1676/54443wz4.jpg

[The boy 4rm oz]

Thanks Eclecticos, for the +rep and the tip.

I was contemplating using a lock but I think it way look out of place. The way that I will create this will allow the top to be bolted down with some Allen bolts in 4 corners. I will be using the Allen bolts throughout the mod.

This is still in the preliminary stages. After LEXA is done I will finish the design up properly and then go hunting for a sponsor for the PICO board. They want $550AUD for the board, Ebay have them for $300 lol.

[crenn]

Order it here (http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0a0101421f4340a51c4d316549fca8e4d8 85f854d8e3.e3eSc3iSaN0Le34Pa38Ta38Naxv0?sc=8&category=840).

[The boy 4rm oz]

Thanks for that crenn. I am still going to see if I can get the board sponsored though.

[Tavarin]

Looks good, and nice sketchups
I just have one question. Where is the power supply going to go?

[The boy 4rm oz]

That is one thing I haven't factored in yet. Because I don't know the size of the unit and sorta forgot about it I am going to wait and see when I get it before I adjust my diagrams.

[crazybillybob]

4rm,
Take a look at the PicoPSU's (http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.13/.f) they are 31x45x20mm (that's tiny!) They come in different wattage ratings 60, 80, 90, 120 Watts. The Pico-Itx are designed to run at about 13W so depending on the HDD you slip in this you may not need the biggest one :)

You'll still need to pick up a AC to DC power pack (think laptop psu) but you can leave it outside the unit and use a barrel jack (http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/it.A/id.438/.f?sc=8&category=13) to get the power into the case... heck it's small enough to be mounted on the underside of the case or the back of the unit!

Mini-box.com (http://www.mini-box.com) is a great Company to deal with! (got all my Mini-ITX stuff from them for R2-SRV) I had a board fail (due to Vibrations...my fault!) and they replaced it no Questions!!! I know your "Down Under" they do international orders but I know shipping and Custom's fees (you guys are almost as bad as the EU for customs fees!!) would kill you so I hope you can get a sponsor for this !!!

Nice looking case, hey and your sketchup drawing looks pretty good (my last sketchup case plan was way worse!!!) :)

CrazyBillyBob

[The boy 4rm oz]

Thanks for your input crazy.

I looked at those PSUs and wasn't sure if they were the right ones. The connector they use is different from the ones used on the PICO board itself, unless they come with an adaptor.

[crenn]

I know your "Down Under" they do international orders but I know shipping and Custom's fees (you guys are almost as bad as the EU for customs fees!!) would kill you so I hope you can get a sponsor for this !!
Shipping Fees aren't too bad, and custom fees only apply if the package is worth over AUD$1000.


Thanks for your input crazy.

I looked at those PSUs and wasn't sure if they were the right ones. The connector they use is different from the ones used on the PICO board itself, unless they come with an adaptor.

The Pico ITX board comes with an adapter.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Thanks crenn, I just downloaded the manual and had a look then.

So what kind of wattage do you think I will need? A 120, 90, 80 or 60W PSU?

Also do you think I will need additional airflow? I could add a couple of 40mm fans. I think it will be fine with a mesh vent on the top and the left and right side.

[DonT-FeaR]

should be ok imo but add fans anyway :)

[crenn]

80W at tops, but you should be able to use a 60W one fine.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Thanks for your input guys, it has helped a lot. I am going to keep this passive (apart from the PICO cooler), I want to keep it as small as possible, fans are just too big and add unnecessary noise.

[DonT-FeaR]

yea

oh well i like to know my pc is running :) usally got music going so it doesnt matter

[The boy 4rm oz]

I won't be anywhere near this anyway so it doesn't really bother me. I just think passive would look better when looking through the mesh vents.