Building an HTPC or hack up a pc?

[rithunder916]

well, you could stack them on their sides. If space is really a concern you can pick up a few laptop drives. you should be able to fit 4 drives behind that 120mm fan, so that should be fine. SOunds like a good plan too! don't be afraid to take from other machines, like cooler-master has a 120mm hdd drive bay from their cm stacker. Scavenge!


Mike

[Outlaw]

I can probably get some cheap cases from a used pc store near by. If I wanted to pull the tray out of my main rig now, I could have it hold 4 HD's and I think its a 92mm fan for the front. I would just have to drill and top some holes for the bay. Could probably scrap an old Gateway I got too for the bays, but I think there is only 2 or 3 HD bays.

[rithunder916]

see why re-invent the wheel! it's what I do myself always taking old cases and destroying and hacking up for parts! i have drive cages, and mobo trays, and fan holders, etc! its great cause if i get a case that needs a part, or I do a mod that needs something, i can pull from what i have, instead of making something!

[Outlaw]

The only problem with cutting up the one case I would just have to literally pull the tray out the front, is a very thick steel (compared to most). I don't think I'll be using it for the motherboard area. lol I don't plan to buy 100pack of cutting disks or jigsaw blades. Depending on how everything actually gets situated in it, I may have room for another set of 3 HD's (for expansion). not sure if the PSU is going "above" the motherboard or "below it" which it would then be behind the monitor. If it goes above it, I would probably have enough room for 6 3.5" HD's hopefully saving some cost of not having to buy new 2.5". I'll see if i can get one of my master crafted paint images done. lol

Thanks

[rithunder916]

you could put the hdd's above the mother board. If it's possible, I would make the psu have its own area, so you don't have to worry about it interfering with anything else.


Mike

[billygoat333]

you should stealth your drives would look much sweeter. love the idea though, gonna look sweet! /2 cents

[Outlaw]

Billygaot333- When you say stealth, your talking about puting a piece of metal or material over that, so it looks flush except for the cutout? I would have to practice first, this build/mod would be my first so I'm not sure on cutting and bending yet, but it would be cool.

rithunder916- How do you mean above the motherboard? Like putting HD mounts on the top of the case? An HD lined ceiling? lol I like the PSU in it's own little area too. Keep the heat out of the main part too.

Anybody else play with blu-ray and non HDCP hardware?
I have the blu-ray player, 8800GTS (HDCP if I remember correctly), but not an HDCP or monitor with HDMI. I was able to get the video to play(used a software) but after a little while it will BSOD then shutdown the computer. I'm probably going to do another fresh install of XP just incase when I was playing with services it doesn't like it.

[billygoat333]

Billygoat333- When you say stealth, your talking about puting a piece of metal or material over that, so it looks flush except for the cutout? I would have to practice first, this build/mod would be my first so I'm not sure on cutting and bending yet, but it would be cool.

exactly. always a first time for everything!

[rithunder916]

Yea, exactly! flip them upside down, and place them on the top of the computer case! You should have more than enough space up there, for 6 hdd's, and if you make the top panel "flip up" then you'll have really easy access! Then Id use some modders mesh, and a few fans to push air around, so they can breath some! It would be cool, and unique!

[Outlaw]

Since I think there is going to be enough room if it stays 20" deep. Here is what I think it could look like. Not sure on exact dimensions so this is just a guess.

Thick black is the actual aluminum. Grey is as labeled mesh. If it would work, I would be able to put 6 HD's on the right sid alone and still have room behind the monitor for whatever (dust?) lol or more HD's later on. The picked height if I went with the 10.4" screen would have to be about 11" tall so there would definitely be room to mount on the roof of the case. I still think this case is going to be huge and hopefully fit on most shelving.