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j0h89
09-12-2010, 08:39 AM
Heilà!
this is my first post on this forum.
Mi name is joh and I'm Italian (this is why my english is very bad :D)
I am writing to introduce my new work!
Maybe someone have already seen on other modding forums because I have seen many familiar avatars

Let's begin.

First, to understand the mod i want to explain why i made this new pc:
The computer used by me every day is:

Motherboard: Maximus II Formula
Processor: Q6600
RAM: 4Gb Dominator GT
Video Card: 8800 GTS 512
Supply: CM Real Power 620W
Hard Drive: 2x160Gb
Cooling: EK Ybris
Case: HAF 932

As you can see is a gaming machine, and so high consumption, noise and high temperatures.
But now I don't play much videogames, then I asked myself: "It's good keeping a typically PC 20 hours on 24 just to get me the facts of the other on facebook, listen to music or download from the network?"
So here come this project, a little and silent pc with very little consumes.

This PC will be as follows:
Motherboard: EPIA-en15000g
Processor: Integrated 1.5 GHz VIA C7 Nano
Ram: 1Gb 533MHz with Heatsink Thermaltake
Supply: Pico PSU 150W
Hard drive: not yet bought any case surely a 2.5 "
Case: Home Made

I called it
Elementality Pico pc

The motherboard EPIA-en15000g

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdX2FAEIRI/AAAAAAAAACY/9GDzVmWv_Ms/100_2994_800x600.jpg

It 's a 17x17cm great Mini ITX motherboard and is normally used for car computer (PC like this could also be used inside a car) this does mean that the PC will be very small (23x23cm maximum), the power could be a problem because the supply are usually quite large but wandering around on the net I came to the attention of Pico PSU, small power supply (like those on laptops) with 24-pin adapter for the motherboard.

So I bought a 150W, even if the pc but consumes much less.

The first problem was the power supply, because the supply was is 24pin and the motherboard is 20 pin, 24 pin could not be mounted because it touches the PS2 port, so I had to build a mini extension 20> 20 pin.
I then unsoldered a female connector from a motherboard burned..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYBzboc2I/AAAAAAAAAEI/jZ8YD_-t3SQ/19052010231_800x600.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYDJILRsI/AAAAAAAAAEU/GcInrXsSYoo/19052010234_800x600.jpg

I recovered a male connector from a power supply burned (i do not know if the my hardware characteristics of burning can define a luck or bad luck)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYCd_aKAI/AAAAAAAAAEM/urpKQ1HrX7o/19052010232_450x600.jpg

A bit of heat shrink for a cleaner touch and here the result:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdX5wjEcJI/AAAAAAAAAC8/AtXTRbvWg-g/100_3049_800x600.jpg

Attacked the pico psu

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdX7dPDRSI/AAAAAAAAADI/T1Zg9bU6wdk/100_3052_800x600.jpg

Fast and functional

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYEFHvoII/AAAAAAAAAEc/iosHJNKqCKk/19052010236_800x600.jpg

As I've already said the case will be home made.
I thought of different solutions but the one that prevailed was built entirely in plexy.
I was inspired by:
BluBawx Mod by E.E.L. Ambiense
So I began to create projects with sketchup trying to minimize the possible spaces at the same time make it cool.

So I started working on some pieces of colored plexy.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdX4nUo1tI/AAAAAAAAACs/ZWSphKeI334/100_3045_800x600.jpg

After attacking a strip of paper I drew on it the first window of this case

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYEqzLNqI/AAAAAAAAAEg/kYJ1QnxtBt0/26052010237_800x600.jpg

And I began to realize a rough cut of the shape ready to be refinished a couple of times to obtain the desired effect (all the mod is made with a Dremel)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYFOrw5RI/AAAAAAAAAEk/8jg7NX972DY/26052010238_800x600.jpg

After the first refinishing the cut looked like this

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYFRSipPI/AAAAAAAAAEo/wes988BiatY/26052010239_800x600.jpg

Still a bit raw.
By finishing the second the result is different. From the picture you can't appreciate because of the flash
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYG1BJcQI/AAAAAAAAAE4/vpH9rTUpLkA/26052010243_450x600.jpg

Then I reapplied the paper tape to outline another workpiece

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYINwvgMI/AAAAAAAAAFA/13CyWItmOdU/27052010246_800x600.jpg

Once this cut, I have drawn another one a few mm smaller on a second piece of plexy, this time transparent red

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYJJ0T2SI/AAAAAAAAAFM/LDGcjEStE_0/27052010249_800x600.jpg

And I also cut it

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYJdcguKI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/dkrTEJBd314/27052010250_800x600.jpg

These cuts are used to enter the power button on the PC that has been recycled from an old cooler master but was not good.
Here are the panel temporarily mounted almost to see the effect

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYMievLGI/AAAAAAAAAFw/vlR4oi2k9fI/27052010258_800x600.jpg

Ps: it is a bit dirty but you know how much dust is attracts by plexy

After a lot of tests I was able to recreate the back cover

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYP38sdlI/AAAAAAAAAGI/jBTwuiAcxx0/06062010309_800x600.jpg

Finished

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYQp4ElsI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/dGDaL9i971g/06062010311_800x600.jpg

He didn't come fine but is not easy to work with the dremel on plexy and very small spaces

Part of left side panel

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYT4DiifI/AAAAAAAAAGw/zkdt2zjoZag/07062010322_800x600.jpg

With the same method used previously I made a hole for a fan on the red plexy

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYSp-J42I/AAAAAAAAAGk/pJP9uC7JXEA/07062010319_800x600.jpg

Finished with red plexy

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYUf_fJ9I/AAAAAAAAAG0/2gHkcPu8rsM/07062010323_800x600.jpg

The right panel.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYWJ3vBKI/AAAAAAAAAHE/UT-rf1ZwTFc/08062010327_800x600.jpg

compared with the first to see if they were equal
the difference?..

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYXPkyGHI/AAAAAAAAAHM/4hSjd1GGjTI/08062010329_450x600.jpg

The difference between the first and the second is made for the airflow

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYXv6hk0I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/KQks2CY2wG8/08062010330_800x600.jpg

particular:


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYYPXq6yI/AAAAAAAAAHU/684X4Xo8wzg/08062010331_800x600.jpg

after I've finished the panels i glued all:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYaky5K7I/AAAAAAAAAHo/74gnz-ZTngI/19062010342_800x600.jpg

(Note the "weight battery" to keep the panel straight .... very useful to make modding the battery)
I must say that despite doubts about the strength of silicon, contrary to expectations, keeps very well.
Meanwhile, I realized the support of the case. In this photo you see the first painting

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYa7xF2RI/AAAAAAAAAHs/pAqsiq-tuI4/19062010343_450x600.jpg

Finished

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYbR1cqLI/AAAAAAAAAHw/R9kik8CQXBo/19062010344_800x600.jpg

Here it is in particular

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYbsWafxI/AAAAAAAAAH0/HFul4rz6fww/19062010345_800x600.jpg

So I decided to mount the legs to the case, and also make the holes for the motherboard.
here is the result

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYclo3lLI/AAAAAAAAAH4/QXcYhPOmA_0/19062010346_800x600.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYdDScmuI/AAAAAAAAAH8/AJ46m3lAVoU/19062010347_800x600.jpg

PC installed with the base (it is very dirty, needs a wash)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYd_8hYTI/AAAAAAAAAIE/4iFsPgrgX64/19062010349_800x600.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYeIISENI/AAAAAAAAAII/E8kp4UB18gE/19062010350_800x600.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYelGoC8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/IVknc3l-LS4/19062010351_800x600.jpg

I made the hard disk support in plexy. I cut the plexy and I put 4 screws to secure it to 'Hard Disk.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYfMf-hsI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/vCc7XHKWTME/23062010364_450x600.jpg

I decided not to put the HD attached to the plexy to facilitate the recycling of air

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYfaUEUPI/AAAAAAAAAIU/zjpD2odasck/23062010366_800x600.jpg

In the case, the HD goes between the motherboard and the right panel pc,

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYgIs1LqI/AAAAAAAAAIY/I8Bqe0sYiqU/23062010367_800x600.jpg

To cool the pc I had put fan so I created a support for the fan side:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYgQPj__I/AAAAAAAAAIc/DEjxJ3NDnNk/23062010371_800x600.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYgsyXfHI/AAAAAAAAAIg/RJKr9l57N-c/23062010372_450x600.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYg1Hw5VI/AAAAAAAAAIk/4zlQk1IbXcA/23062010373_450x600.jpg

PS: The fan is 40mm

After a long search I found the buttons

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYiNLOW1I/AAAAAAAAAIw/Dn8KU5Jm7_E/04082010434_800x600.jpg

So I started sleeve some cables

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYwJ-dMSI/AAAAAAAAAKA/17Lm3k_zR-s/20082010480_800x600.jpg



in particular

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYxsI4kgI/AAAAAAAAAKE/yJz0bDSksY0/20082010479_800x600.jpg

and the SATA cable

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYrkBf9yI/AAAAAAAAAJs/ZI75jqmBhxU/20082010487_800x600.jpg

Mounted

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYzZYHRCI/AAAAAAAAAKM/UOhbt9bjngo/20082010486_800x600.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdY1C4-ZeI/AAAAAAAAAKU/traKGVUNTYI/b%20%283%29_800x600.jpg

I made the bracket to close the case.
The bracket was mounted on the back of the case

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdY2HjpQzI/AAAAAAAAAKY/0PDnIMSWo8M/b%20%281%29_800x600.jpg

and I painted the top panel

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdYzp6OePI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/-rd2jZsOCms/b%20%282%29_800x600.jpg

j0h89
09-12-2010, 08:40 AM
Here it is the case with the panel mounted

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZBq9IDVI/AAAAAAAAALE/s7ANhEHXuo0/e2.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZEgAb9DI/AAAAAAAAALI/IBPxoaqtTmc/e%203.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZGlKM57I/AAAAAAAAALM/G2TlQrpdLno/e1.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdY5UiMUcI/AAAAAAAAAKk/RpPXx7NL95w/b%20%285%29_800x600.jpg

In this photo you see the size compared to a PC mouse

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdY3eoFL5I/AAAAAAAAAKc/yNo2b8tJ-7Q/b%20%288%29_800x600.jpg

In these last two pictures the case is leaning sideways (i can also remove the legs to put case in this way)
Photos with reflected mouse

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdY6O39AhI/AAAAAAAAAKo/xb7reT4fMJ8/b%20%286%29_800x600.jpg

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
And now ... The Elementality Pico Mouse

Initially it was like this:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZIVb075I/AAAAAAAAALg/nllqKSRY558/e2%20%281%29_800x600.jpg

And had a blue LED

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZJEFAe-I/AAAAAAAAALk/wIVMy66aSUI/e2%20%282%29_800x600.jpg

Now it has red LED

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZJoys6cI/AAAAAAAAALo/fbVKZy_51BI/e2%20%283%29_800x600.jpg

Now it is:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZHDNH1xI/AAAAAAAAALQ/58hKV5RpOaI/e%20%2816%29_800x600.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZHbGds_I/AAAAAAAAALU/SF723GSLnCI/e%20%2818%29_800x600.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZHgDgdvI/AAAAAAAAALY/g41rLxGFqrM/e%20%2819%29_800x600.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZH1Uvn2I/AAAAAAAAALc/QrEYvW3Bec0/e%20%2821%29_800x600.jpg

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZKJZRU4I/AAAAAAAAALw/zF-U0icRnk0/f%20%282%29_800x600.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZKutPE6I/AAAAAAAAAL0/R6qd7zov5mo/f%20%284%29_800x600.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZLUdMItI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ei0odzcT8rs/f%20%285%29_800x600.jpg


Thanks for watching. I will post final photos too.
Probably it's not beautiful like other case in this forum but I like it :D and I'm so satisfied of it because is all made by me using only the Dremel

PS: Final photos on page 2

SXRguyinMA
09-12-2010, 09:33 AM
nice job! and welcome to TBCS

Trace
09-12-2010, 01:48 PM
Beautiful. Welcome to TBCS

msmrx57
09-12-2010, 06:01 PM
Welcome to TBCS. Very nice design and wondefully clean execution. :bunny:

TheGreatSatan
09-12-2010, 06:28 PM
One post worklog!

Konrad
09-12-2010, 06:36 PM
A gaming PC that also works as a mousepad!

mDust
09-12-2010, 07:35 PM
Probably it's not beautiful like other case in this forum but I like it and I'm so satisfied of it because is all made by me using only the Dremel The case is awesome. Be proud that you made it.

OvRiDe
09-12-2010, 07:59 PM
I like it! Great job!

... and welcome to TBCS!

blueonblack
09-12-2010, 08:21 PM
I'll also add my "beautiful" to the list, I love the design and the color choices.

Excellent work. +rep

nevermind1534
09-12-2010, 08:45 PM
Nice work on the build

x88x
09-13-2010, 06:29 PM
Very nicely done. It's a good, clean design, I like it. :up: Great plexi work too.

Oh, and welcome to TBCS!

billygoat333
09-15-2010, 12:15 PM
I like it. good to see the almighty dremel in use.

j0h89
09-26-2010, 11:35 AM
And now...

final shoots
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kWyIm-pI/AAAAAAAAAbA/uD6rHraKqJ8/z1.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kW2CRMeI/AAAAAAAAAbE/-FS_3mCDob0/z2.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kXHVkuOI/AAAAAAAAAbI/AQAnnRYRzl0/z3.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kXMKtuWI/AAAAAAAAAbM/pq86x0QR_S8/z4.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kXQmaZfI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/b4KKkY6LjhA/s1024/z5.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kh6PXeII/AAAAAAAAAbY/GQVO9gyVbF0/z6.jpg


Thank you all!!

mDust
09-26-2010, 11:51 AM
No, thank you!

msmrx57
09-26-2010, 01:12 PM
Again, VERY NICE!!!! :up:

slaveofconvention
09-26-2010, 01:12 PM
I'm really liking this. It ISN'T complicated, it ISN'T revolutionary, but it really works. It's a simple idea, well put together, using simple methods and the end result is really clean, tidy and functional. Many of us get carried away with one little thing and it takes forever to get it just right, but here you've stuck to a plan and ended up with what looks like a relatively quick, and very effective result.

The only thing I'd do differently, would be to add a little illumination inside the case to really show off that nice tinted plexi in the dark. Nothing too bright or garish, just a little something to light it up a touch...

+rep

x88x
09-26-2010, 02:07 PM
Looks great. Nice job. :up:

j0h89
09-27-2010, 07:37 AM
Thank you!

@slaveofconvention: just what I wanted , a computer "elementare" in Italian means simple:D

For the lights , I tried ... but I noticed that they were not well..The red lights were filtered by the plexyglass, the white jar..

Sorry for my bad English :lick:

So...................new photo...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ96innebZI/AAAAAAAAAbg/FoOJZPku8lI/z7.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ96ihgWDsI/AAAAAAAAAbk/AO5PI9nUWDo/z8.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ98f_T8FuI/AAAAAAAAAb8/-q8Y3aahKQs/z9.jpg

j0h89
02-12-2011, 03:19 PM
I see that pictures are down so i re-upload the final ones.
This are from "Picasa" so i don't know if you can watch it. If aren't visible i will upload in another way.
ps: sorry 4 my bad english.
Right panel wit mesh \ air exhaust
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZKutPE6I/AAAAAAAAAL0/R6qd7zov5mo/f%20%284%29_800x600.jpg
Front panel with red window.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZLUdMItI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ei0odzcT8rs/f%20%285%29_800x600.jpg
on/off and reset button
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZMk7r9nI/AAAAAAAAAL8/oU8QDsr1x1M/z6.jpg
Internal CPU fan particular
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZOrjw2wI/AAAAAAAAAMA/1xH65WZ_NlM/z5.jpg
The case and the Elementality Pico mouse
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZRJAxybI/AAAAAAAAAME/SV9CsyxJPZE/z4.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZS-GtVcI/AAAAAAAAAMM/SRbd_hyB8gA/z3.jpg
From the inside
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZU-hIqMI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/uTJpbjVeMhQ/z2.jpg
Without top panel
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZWUlmKPI/AAAAAAAAAMU/T0c7mhumrwM/z1.jpg
only the case
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZX-4HnRI/AAAAAAAAAMY/AaOTmIzXtic/z7.jpg
case and mouse
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZaPf2AqI/AAAAAAAAAMc/DZ54U1ngCqs/z8.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZcI387gI/AAAAAAAAAMg/cAD-yKHkD_M/z9.jpg

DynamoNED
02-13-2011, 03:51 PM
Very nicely done, sir. You have done an excellent job of creating a classy but functional machine for your everyday needs. I can't wait to see what mods you decide to make in the future. +rep

TheMainMan
02-13-2011, 04:58 PM
The pictures on the first page aren't working for me, the ones on the second are and the are quite amazing. Congrats on a very clean and elegant build, you've certainly met your goal in this build. +rep

j0h89
02-14-2011, 06:04 PM
Very nicely done, sir. You have done an excellent job of creating a classy but functional machine for your everyday needs. I can't wait to see what mods you decide to make in the future. +rep

Thank you :D ... for the future there is already a project in my mind:devious:


The pictures on the first page aren't working for me, the ones on the second are and the are quite amazing. Congrats on a very clean and elegant build, you've certainly met your goal in this build. +rep

Thanks you...

ps: i fixed first page's photos :up: