Building a case; yes, ''BUILDING''

[Nagoshi]

YEp so as in the title, Ive had an idea today. I work somewhere where there are alot of scrap metal pieces of any ideal sizes and choices and they also have the plasma cutter station, the machine that will bend the pieces to 90degrees, and everything else I need to build MY computer case.

Now the question : What kind of steel I should use? And Id basically like to have a Lian-Li style case (you know, the reversed motherboard and etc) so how would you recommend the layout inside? reversed motherboard - is it really worth the trouble? Heat dissipation and everything? - and, top or bottom power supply? pros/cons against them? Fan placement ideas for the best cooling? Id like to have an ATX tower (mid tower, not those for micro-atx) so 4 5.25'' slots, maybe more in acse there would be a need. As well, Id do the exterior design in steel; galvanised, aluminium or stainless are all at my disposition :) Also, I need something with a cool design (why having an ugly and standard design when you build your case)

Is it really worth the shot? Sinec I work there, I could help building the case, bending the pieces to the right places, fixing everything together, etc etc :) I dont have a price idea yet, but I may ask the guy who works at the plasma station how much it would cost for everyting. For sure, if everything gets too much, its a cancel. Its not even sure Im going to do it.

[Silenced_Coyote]

You should do it! I wish I had all that at my disposal...
I don't know if making a reversed motherboard like Lian-Li is any different from making a regular one. It is just a motherboard tray flipped around. Only problem I heard is that since the motherboard is flipped, there might not be enough room for huge CPU coolers since it is so close to the bottom of the case. But you could always move the mounting up. I personally like having the PSU at the bottom so it doesn't suck the hot air from the CPU. I like the airflow design of the Silverstone TJ07. I am not sure about the bottom right corner in the top compartment, but there shouldn't be any major heat generating in that area so I guess it is ok.

[Nagoshi]

Thanks for the answer!!

Well, ''not enough space for huge CPU coolers'', whether the motherboard is reversed or not... if its not, the PSU is just ahead of it, and reversed, the PSU is still under the motherboard, and in the case the PSU is at top, the cooler will be near the ground.

Anyway, does someone would have an idea of a sketch I could use as a base? Like, using Google SketchUp? Id draw it, but I suck with this program and measurements wouldnt be all rite, plus I dont really have the time.

[Silenced_Coyote]

I don't know if this helps. But this site has some already sketched PC cases that you could use as a base.
http://scc.jazzle.co.uk/


I was just thinking about clearance issues if you decided to use, for example, a Lian-Li case to base the motherboard placement.