2 computers 1 case

[crazydrve]

ok people i need some advice.

I am new to modding and want to see how hard it would be to put 2 computers
into 1 case custom or not.

i know i could get desktop cases and stack them but that would be too easy.

i have 2 servers right now taking up room in my closet. and i am trying to find ways to make it smaller or even 1 case.

any ideas please help.

[Aero]

you could stager them in one case. One in the normal position, and one on the other side but up-side-down. Wireing shouldn't be too hard but you will need 2 PSU's, 2 CD drives, 2 HDD, and so on. That would be the trick. Also you would proboly want to water cool in becasue air flow would suck.

[legoman786]

Why not get 1-1kW PSU (1000w) and branch off the main ATX and 4-pin 12v lines? Also, somehow get the lines to share 1 power button.

I don't know if it's going to work, but it's an idea.

[crazydrve]

having the extra power supply and other stuff is not the problem, the main problem is trying to fit the motherboard in the case and mount it.

and i am not good enough at wiring to rig a 1kw power supply or have the money(HOLY Sh3#$%#$###%#@##%^&^$%T ) $490

now i did see that someone built a 2 computer 1 case out of mdf board but i am unsure i am able to do that.

link - h**p://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=407

[DaveW]

check this out. 9 computers. 1 case.

http://www.mashie.org/casemods/tranquillity1.html

-Dave

[mszo]

Wow

[Viper-Inc]

lol. i think that is a little bit too extreme.. unless u are on a network and just run cables around the room too all the monitors.

[crazydrve]

has anyone had experience with MDF board. i am willing to try it but i dont know if it is safe to use for a full time always on server running win2k3 @ 3.2gig intel
and amd 2400+ linux box.

i would be worried bout heat for the case.

thanks

[XcOM]

MDF can take a hell of a lot of heat, and BTW, did you know that the back of Mobos only run at advrage of 30-45 Deg/C MDF can normally withstand over 80

[Drac998]

to even add to that, you can apply high temperature paint to the mdf to lessen the worries of it burning.

[crazydrve]

ok i mdf is cheap enough i am gonna try and make a custom case.

now comes the hard part of how to design it properly

any suggestions.

[onelegout]

By the time the wood was hot enough to burn the system would be absolutely fried anyway so would probably shut down far before the wood burns!

[DaveW]

First off, i'd get some large sheets of paper and draw out what you want, measured precisely. If you can use CAD software, then all the better. Measure out your motherboard screwholes, think about weights and tenses and so forth. Remember that MDF will need to be pretty thick, and you might want to take into account the possibility of the wood warping with temperature changes; in other words, dont put something really cold next to something really hot inside the case or it could cause trouble.

When you know what you need, then fiddle about with some sketches of the finished product, building up on the aesthetics of your case. Start thinking about the paintjob and the types of screw. When done here, you should be able to start thinking about how you're going to do things: example, you might want a scroll saw or jigsaw for cutting a shape. How will you get buttons in the case. etc.

Now it's time to go out and buy your wood and screws and stuff. Measure, check, measure, check, safety goggles, cut, screw, measure, check, swear, dissassemble-it's all part of the fun.

Show us some sketches of your ideas, and i'm sure we can plan something out.

-Dave

[crazydrve]

ok people i have decided to go with aluminum for my mod.

and i would like suggestions for naming my mod.

now my question is... whats the best way to put connect aluminum pieces.

i cant weld. so is it as simple as drilling holes and using bolts or is there a cleaner way to do it.

it basically gonna be 4 sheets of aluminum put together in the form of a case.

any help is appreciated.

thanks
crazydrve

[Airbozo]

You could use pop-rivets rather than bolts They _usually_ look cleaner, but your mileage may vary.

Name: Dualuminum Server

[crazydrve]

where would i get pop rivets at lowes and then are they hard to intall...

i am a complete newbie when it comes to custom modding or any thing like this.

thanks for the name but i dont think it will work.

[Airbozo]

You can get a pop rivet gun and rivets at lowes for fairly cheap. Easy to use, just line up the parts to be joined and drill your hole. Then insert rivet, squeeze the trigger and !pop!, rivet installed. Removing them (in case you make a mistake) just requires drilling them out. Make sure and get the correct size rivets. Take a sample of what you want to connect and make sure the sales guy gives you the rivets that are long enough.

[crazydrve]

ok thanks alot, i will try that. i have always wondered how it was done.

[Airbozo]

Oh, just so you know rivets have a clean side and an ugly side... Practice on some scrap first to make sure you know how things fit.

Another name: Dualuminality (trying to fit the dual server made with aluminum into the name) (heh I got a million of em and they ALL suck!)

[Cool1Net6]

Names:

Multiverse - It had 'multi' in it
Duality - "The condition of one thing having two sides, parts, or faces."
ZenDuo- Or anything else with the suffix '-duo'
Aluminicity - Working off of your extensive use of aluminum.

Eh, Im tryin.

-Cool-

[crazydrve]

thanks for the idea of names. its starting to come to me.

and i am using aluminum because its the only thing i am sure to mod togethether for my first mod.

and it will eventually be 2 computers in 1 case so i dont want it to be too heavy

thanks again. this will definetly be hard for me to do. especially the insides.