help me avoid a SNAFU

[devont007]

this is my first mod it is also my fierst time building a PC. I am trying to build inside a very limited space i am looking to build inside either a .30 cal ammo can (10"x7"x3") or a .50 cal ammo can (12"x7"x8.75") i dont know how to fit everything in or even if it is possible any help would be greatly apprecitated.

[Mach]

You might want to look at mini-itx.com. They have 3 ammo can pc's shown there.

http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/ammobox/

[devont007]

what is mini-itx? ive never heard of it.
thanks mach for your help.

[Mach]

mini-itx references a small form factor motherboard (17cm by 17cm) . They're typically not as powerful as their full size counter parts but the small size allows for unique modding challenges. Give www.mini-itx.com a look, you'll see what I mean :)

[devont007]

yeah some of that stuff is crazy what they did with it. the first case which you posted a link for is the most like what i want to do. what are the dimensions for a regular form factor mother board. i was thinking that if i could not fit a normal mother board i would chop and weld until i could fit it in.

[Mach]

I don't have much experience with different motherboard form factors but maybe someone else can jump in here.

This may help: http://www.formfactors.org

Look at Rachel's worklog for her AVP project, she constructed cardboard mockups of everything that was to go in her case. I'd recommend picking a couple of motherboards that match your requirements, check the manufacturer's site for dimension, and make mockups before you start to see exactly how much welding and cutting you'd have to live with.