Semi-Modular Executive Desktop (currently brainstorming the design)

[PCdeaf]

I have been wanting to try and dive into modding but I've never really felt like I would have much satification from simply modding existing case. So I've decided to just simply dive into making my dream case from scratch.

There are a few big point of this design which are...

...Must be wood-based exteriors (I'm hoping for some dark mahogany look. Maybe I'll just stain some good dark oak)

...must be somewhat modular. in the picture, the area just behind the monitor is the main core. I will try to figure out the method of connecting the extra sections together but I have 2 main section thought out in advance since it can provide the most functionality. At first, I will just make the main core which should be a very simple job compared to some of the mods around here lol.

...Very functional in an office sense. Have several sections available which can offers various storage and functions options. The magnetic clipboard area have spaces behind it in these sections.

...somewhat vandal-proof. I'm planning to includes varieties of locks on certain sections of the case to reduce chance of vandal and thefts.

...as future-proof as possible. I want to there be enough space to be able to accommodate the biggest GPU there is should I ever decide to go that far. I also want to make sure that the mobo is the best I can get in terms of features and "future-proofability" (lol).

...Must be able to reduce cord clutters. Maybe have some small boxes behind it to hold a good power strip and excessive cords.

Well, I'm still working on the design right now but here is the latest update on my SketchUP design.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm235/deafcyclist/case6.jpg

I have some of the older designs and comments in this thread in the rookie's nook subforum here :)
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17002

[jdbnsn]

If the magnets are to hold papers in place, I would recommend using some sort of clamps like on a clipboard so you wouldn't have to be concerned about the magnets screwing with your monitor.

[PCdeaf]

yeah I know what you mean, I just like using magnets and would like to try and see if there is some way around this particular issue. If I can't get this figure out then I'll just make some clamps like you said.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

...the magnets screwing with your monitor.

Shouldn't be a problem with an LCD, should it? I thought that was only a problem with CRT screens (and all I have are CRTs, so I have no way of testing this).

[jdbnsn]

Shouldn't be a problem with an LCD, should it? I thought that was only a problem with CRT screens (and all I have are CRTs, so I have no way of testing this).

Well frankly I'm not sure now that you mention it. You may be right.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

I think it would look cool to put a False Front Hinged Slide like this http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1217&filter=drawer%20front
Not the whole keyboard tray just the fold down false front over the power button usb ,dvd part .

Fold it down when in use fold it up when not just thought that would be cool .Also a door over the paper tray would look cool just putting it out there great start to the planning .

[PCdeaf]

I think it would look cool to put a False Front Hinged Slide like this http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1217&filter=drawer%20front
Not the whole keyboard tray just the fold down false front over the power button usb ,dvd part .

Fold it down when in use fold it up when not just thought that would be cool .Also a door over the paper tray would look cool just putting it out there great start to the planning .

yeah I was planning to do something like that but the question is exactly what kind of hinge set-up could I use. I want to embed a line of LED into the underside of that flip-cover so when it is propped upright, it'll light up the keyboard. Another advantage of having a cover like that is that I would be able to incorporate some locks so nobody can even turn on the PC without considerable effort.

[Lucky13]

i think you'd need the front to hinge open, because i doubt that sliding that whole thing around on a desk in order to get to the inside would be very practical. also, you'd need alot of cooling vents (maybe thin slats in the top and between the shelves), especially if you want it to be future-proof (in case of hotter running components). or you could water cool everything in the computer, then just have to worry about a couple slats for the radiator rather than half a dozen fans

all in all, i'd love to have something like this in my room. great idea.

[PCdeaf]

I have a design rolling around in my mind in term of how to set up the cooling vent. this design will also give me some room to put the PSU and the power strip in.

Quick question, is there a good way to power like 12 or more case fans without depending on the PSU? i'll have a power strip put in the back of the case (design will be made and posted in a few days) so having some kind of plugs that can connect run these fans while giving me fan speed control would be great. would it work to have another low-end PSU just for the cooling system?

when I need to access the interior, I'll just disconnect the 2 sections to the either side of the core and just rotate the core to me. I know that accessibility to the interior is important for many projects but since I want to have a better security measure in this design, I can't add something that make it much easier to access the interior. and beside, I would be setting up all of the parts and making it work in a extra case and then when this case's core get done building, I'll just transfer the interior to the new case. this way I shouldn't have to access the interior too often in the early phase of the build. Also, I doubt I'll be upgrading the interior that much within a few months of getting the new PC components for this case since I don't really have that much money anyway.

I've been kinda busy over the last few days and I expect to be busy trying to register for Gallaudet from now on so hopefully I can keep up the designing and discussion here.

[nevermind1534]

I would imagine that a small ac adaptor would be enough to power just the fans. I don't know what else you would powering with it, so I couldn't tell for sure.

[Luke122]

I have previously modded a 12v DC wall wart power supply to add a molex connector on it to power fans and lights. If you did that, you could just add a relay in line from an actual molex connector on the computer psu to switch the devices on and off with the computer. Then they wouldnt be powered by the computer psu at all.

As for the design, very cool, I hope to see you build this thing!

[PCdeaf]

I'm having some difficulties trying to properly design the venting system :-/ Give me a few more days to try and figure it out. If I still can't come up with something better, I'll post what I have so far here and see if somebody have some ideas for me.

P.S. How can I report for the spam on the post above me about some nike dunk crap?

[PCdeaf]

Back after a very busy month and just letting you know that I've just gotten accepted into the Gallaudet University for the deaf on a full tuition 4 years scholarship so I'll be working my ass off to take the full opportunity that this scholarship gave me :)

My major will be Graphic Design so while I may be too busy to really work on the design for now and even with the scholarship, my funding is still pretty limited for this semester for computer stuffs. So I won't be able to come back and do much unless I could make some artsy stuffs for texturing or maybe I could convince one of the design classes later on to let me build this as a proof of concept for maximizing efficiency in a work environment ;) lol

Either way, I hope I can come back to this asap but it will all depend on how much free time I'll have once my classes start this wednesday. (I'll finally find out my class schedules and whatnot today so if I seems to have more than enough free time, I'll let you know with a update on the progress :) I want to convert the sketchup model to a .blender model because I have somewhat more experience with Blender3D even though I haven't made too much with it. I want to eventually make a mini animation with full texturing and lighting to showcase the design features and stuffs just in case I still can't actually make it for real for a while.

Have fun you all and I hope to be back here soon :)