Classic Retro PC

[Zephik]

This is why I wanted to make an ITX Rubik's Cube PC and a different ATX PC. Hope you like it, I do. I'll have more information up tomorrow, but if anyone wants to ask a question or comment or make a suggestion, then go right ahead. :)

**Sorry the pictures are kind of out of order, I don't know photography ;) If one of the mods wants to rearrange the order of the pictures go right ahead and do so. Also, if anyone wants the sketchup file to have a 3D look around of the case or whatever you want to do, PM me with your email and I'll send it to you. (lol yeah, like anyone would want this hunk of junk? :neutral:)

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCfront.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCside2.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCside.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCtop.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCbottom.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCback.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCinsideside.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCinsidebays.jpg

-SF

[Zephik]

Okay! Now for the details, sorry I didn't post them before, I was pretty much passing out of exhaustion. I had a long day! ^^ ...mmm, turkey...

The knob on the front is a Fan Controller.

The gray mesh looking stuff is kind of like the stuff that covers your speakers.

Obviously you have the 5.25 drive bays, one is a reservoir.

The hole on top of the case is for the intake of the upside down PSU.

The feet are just your standard little rubber black feet to increase friction.

The square in the front of the case with the mesh is for the HDD's.

The square on the side of the case is for removable HDD"s. (I think I got that idea from Airbozo?) When you slide it in, they connect to a circuit board which connects to the motherboard. Making them ?Hot swappable.?

The back includes a few things; Mesh Vent, I/O plate, PSU, and that rectangle is for the dual 80mm Micro Radiator from DD.

Obviously, I suck at drawing, so those cylindrical looking things are thumb screws.

The inside is pretty self explanatory now that you know the outside.

So what do you guys think?

-SF

[luciusad2004]

I think it looks pretty cool, I cant give you much advice because im new and not very good at this, but it looks really nice.

[Zephik]

I was thinking of putting in a window... but I am not sure where or what kind of design?

[luciusad2004]

hmmmm. im going to say on one of the sides because it seems like if u put it in the top the drive bays would obstruct the view. As far as the style, i would say look for pictures of old retro stereos, and electronics, and look at the designs and lines on those. See what u can get from that.

-lucius

edit:

Ill add and links i find.
http://www.audiobuys.net/thumbnails/pictures/dc13851.jpg
I sort of like the shape of the front panels covering the speakers. It might look good on the side.

[DaveW]

If one of the mods wants to rearrange the order of the pictures go right ahead and do so.

lol...we're not Nazi's, man. It's your thread, do what you like in it. We're here to kick your ass if you step across the line.

Nice plans, by the way-simple but effective design too.

-Dave

[Zephik]

lol...we're not Nazi's, man. It's your thread, do what you like in it. We're here to kick your ass if you step across the line.

lol, as much as I used to post? ...you must not kick very hard ;)


Nice plans, by the way-simple but effective design too.

-Dave

Thanks! I think this is the best design that I created by myself yet! And guess what? It's been three days and I haven't changed my mind! Maybe my indecisive streak finally ran out? :p

I hope I have enough money... I did a quick add up and I think I should have enough. My friend just took my last $50 (for my new HDD, cheap a**) and I am still waiting on the 150 from my parents, but I am not sure about that because I REALLY need some contacts so I can see again! But I can still get a $100 off of my old phone and all of its accessories and extra's. if I recall right, most of the basic building materials only added up to about around $80. Obviously I will need to find another source for money so I can finish it... but that should be enough to start it at least!

-SnowFire

[Zephik]

Does anyone know how to write using different kinds of fonts like something cursive in Google Sketchup??

[DaveW]

lol, as much as I used to post? ...you must not kick very hard

You never crossed the line.

-Dave

[Zephik]

Did a quick sketch for a window design. What do you guys think? I'm not sure if I like it, but that is as big as the window can be without showing drive bays and other unwanted stuff in the view. This way, it only shows the motherboard and also doubles as an intake or exhaust system (maybe for the chipsets that are close by?).

Open to suggestions for tweaking the design...
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCFanWindow.jpg

Maybe I can try rounding off the corners....

-SnowFire

[Zephik]

Okay, I rounded the windows (which I think looks way better) and I added a future LCD display into my spare 5.25 bay. Oh yeah, I also decided to go with dual *slim* DVD-Rom drives to put into a single 5.25 bay.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCLCDDisplay.jpg

-SnowFire

[luciusad2004]

I think the design with the rounded window looks better. I also like the idea about using dual slim dvd drives in a single drive bay. Its looking good, i hope to see a work log for this sooner or later.

-lucius

[Zephik]

HEY ME TOO! :D

Money, it comes and it goes you know?

...it seems to go alot more than it comes though! ;)

Well that and I keep getting better and better idea's! lol

Is there a turn off switch in your brain? That would be nice... Then I could actually get something done!

[intergalacticman]

looks nice, are you going to use it for a media center pc, since its horizontal?
if so, it would be cool to add a big hard drive for dvr and a tv tuner,
but casewise a touchscreen on the front would be cool, but detracts from the retroness.. w/e its your call

[Zephik]

looks nice, are you going to use it for a media center pc, since its horizontal?
if so, it would be cool to add a big hard drive for dvr and a tv tuner,
but casewise a touchscreen on the front would be cool, but detracts from the retroness.. w/e its your call

Its gonna be a mix between a media center PC and a gaming rig. Since thats pretty much all I use a computer for is movies and games.

Here are the specs *so far*, it wont all happen at once, but it will start with the mobo.

Mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131025)
CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005)
GPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102068) (undecided, but short on cash)
HDD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140) x2
PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128006)

I'm still working on trying to put together a decent h20 kit that is cost efficient but cooling efficient as well. lol Those two terms don't really belong together with water cooling though.

I'm also thinking about getting a wireless transmitter for my Dish DVR so I can hook it up to my computer and watch satellite from my office. I think it's called VIVO with video cards??

-SnowFire

[Zephik]

Had an idea...

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCSideShots.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCSidetoSide.jpg

This way I accomplish two of my goals. A window (or at least a better version of the previous design) and better air circulation for chipsets that won't and/or can't be water cooled.

Seems like an upgrade to the previous design to me! Better air flow, more area to view internals, and another window so you are able to see the internals from either side of the case. ...of course it will help light everything up better as well too! :up:

I wonder if I should have some kind of trimming around the windows?? Either paint it or have rubber or something? hmmm...

-SnowFire

[Zephik]

No Trim, trim design one, or trim design 2? I kind of like all three, what do you guys think? This is a pretty insignificant update, but its the small details like this that count to me.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCWindowTrim1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/MitaPi/ClassicRetroPCWindowTrim2.jpg

I am still thinking about doing a rubber trim too... but I don't know how to draw that. Just an idea though, it probably won't go with the rest of the case so I'm not completely sure about that idea.

-SnowFire