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Thread: Project: AMGPC

  1. #1
    I mod everything I touch. Indybird's Avatar
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    Default Project: AMGPC


    Project AMGPC (Auxiliary Mobile Gaming PC) SFF

    Alright, heres my first real mod (as in, my own computer). This will be my Small Form Factor LAN machine for when I'm
    A) playing older games and
    B) when I don't feel like taking my main system.
    I started off with a mildly cool dell server case (as seen in my rediculous case problem thread), but when I went to cut the side panel, my fine metal cutting blade tore it up real bad. I dunno what metal they used but that blade could not cut it clean for the world.

    So I went and got a new case from my friend. He had a few old computers that he wasnt using, and I took all of them back home. For this mod I chose the case from an E-Machines etower 600is. There are two big problems with it:
    First, the floppy bay is in the way of the RAM on the micro ATX board that Im using.
    Second, the power supply mount isn't standard, and is very small.

    Sadly I didnt take any pictures of the untouched case, but here are some from google:




    So I gutted it and prepared it for my system:
    -Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz with Hyperthreading, Socket 775
    -2GB (2 x 1GB) Corsair DDR2 800
    -Abit SG-95 Socket 775 Motherboard
    -(Currently) ATI X700
    -Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD
    -LG 16X IDE DVD-ROM
    -Dell 350W PSU

    I started modding without taking pictures, but took some after the initial modding was done. The pictures were on my friends digital camera, so I won't be able to post them until Thursday.

    Anyway, here are my plans:
    [X] Remove 3.5" mount to make room for new mobo
    [X] Adjust PSU Mount to fit standard PSUs
    [X] Cut holes for dual 80mm Blue LED fans in the back
    [X] Cut holes for dual 120mm Blue LED fans in the front
    [X] Cut top/side panel piece in two, forming a door (on the left) and case covering on the right and top.
    [/] Cut and Mount side panel Window
    [X] Make a hard drive mounting rack that mounts on the bottom of the case
    [ ] Install Case handle and fabricate indent
    [/] Make a new front panel that mounts over the fans.
    [ ] Buy a new power button and mount it on the back
    [ ] Fill in the e-machines "e" on the right side panel
    [ ] Fill in USB Port attempts on front panel
    [ ] Make new back panel and motherboard tray
    [ ] Paint Exterior/Interior gloss black
    [ ] Paint back panel flat black


    Update #1

    I've already cut the 3.5" mount off so that I could install the mobo, and cut and drill the new opening and mounts for the standard PSU (I'll post the pictures of that tomorrow).

    I should be able to update this tomorrow, but at the latest it'll be thursday.

    -Indybird

  2. #2
    Administrator OvRiDe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    Looks like your off to a great start!

    I gotta ask tho.. The title is Project AMGPC (Auxiliary Portable Gaming PC) but whats the M for?

  3. #3
    I mod everything I touch. Indybird's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    Quote Originally Posted by OvRiDe View Post
    Looks like your off to a great start!

    I gotta ask tho.. The title is Project AMGPC (Auxiliary Portable Gaming PC) but whats the M for?
    I forgot to change that, thanks. The M stands for mobile.

    -Indybird

  4. #4
    A big old Tease Apparently DonT-FeaR's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    hmmm this shall be interesting good luck
    Quote Originally Posted by Drum Thumper View Post
    you tease!

  5. #5
    Measure once, curse twice nevermind1534's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    I've got qiute a few old computers and cases lying around. My HP Pavilion case had a PSU like that. I think newegg has a few of them.
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  6. #6
    Ride on, Bucko. FuzzyPlushroom's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    I had one of these cases. Tore out the motherboard tray; I don't know what I did with the rest of it. It didn't excite me.

    Looking forward to seeing what could've been, though.
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  7. #7
    I mod everything I touch. Indybird's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    Update #2

    Sorry about no pictures still, but they are coming tomorrow 100% for sure.

    First thing I did was cut the top and side panel into two pieces. Thanks to the lock loop and the screw, the top and right side panel stay in place, but I'm going to screw them down so that it is solid. I now have a standard side-door that opens and closes somewhat normal.

    After that, I got the window opening shaped up and cut. I kept the perforated part on the bottom, and had the window go the rest of the length of the side. I also kept the handle-indent, because though I don't need it to slide the door off, it looks kinda cool.

    Once again, I'll be uploading the pics tomorrow.

    -Indybird

  8. #8
    I mod everything I touch. Indybird's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    Update #3 - Hard Drive Mount and Front Fans

    Alright I finally have pics! One sad piece of news though, all of the pictures I had taken before this somehow got erased. So I only have pictures from this point on. I updated the main post with a picture of all of my components.

    So lets get started.

    I've removed the I/O Panel/Expansion slot piece so that I could trim something on it and so that it would be easier to paint.



    Now onto the hard drive mount. I'm going to cut it out of the side window cut-out piece. Here it is all drawn up.


    I cut them out and proceeded to bend the tab and drill the mounting holes.


    Finished that all up and mounted the hard drives to check and see if everything fits. It fits and looks great! I made sure to leave about a quarter inch between the drives for airflow and whatnot.



    Here is a picture w/ the mobo and gfx card in to give you a general idea of the layout.


    I decided to file the sharp corners on the mount to make it smoother and cleaner.


    My friend decided to take a picture of me laying out the front panel cuts.


    I drilled the front fan holes and mounted the fans just to see how it looked.


    I proceeded to cut out the opening for the fans, but didn't finish the right side (left in this view) because the case was too weak in the front. I'm going to put some support bars in, then finish cutting the opening.


    I did a rough non-final cut to see how its going to look with the plastic part of the front panel mounted.


    I cleaned up everything and decided this would be a good chance to show you guys my new workshop table. I designed it and then me and my friend built it. Its 11' 6" long (I forgot how deep, I don't have my plans w/ me). Believe it or not all of the materials for this table cost only $150.





    And yes, that is a mini-fridge

    Next updates will be comin tomorrow.

    -Indybird

  9. #9
    I mod everything I touch. Indybird's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    Since I don't want to pay $20 + Shipping for case handles from modding websites, I checked cabinet handles out Lowes.com. After a bit of searching I found this:

    Heres a link.

    In addition to it looking pretty sweet and being really cheap, I can just go pick it up instead of waiting and paying for shipping. I think I'm going to pick one up tomorrow.

    -Indybird

  10. #10
    A big old Tease Apparently DonT-FeaR's Avatar
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    Default Re: Project: AMGPC

    loving the bench man that huge.
    Quote Originally Posted by Drum Thumper View Post
    you tease!

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