Now you can easily buy a case for a computer in the store. They can be horizontal or vertical - this is the most common type. However, if you do not take into account some variety of the front panel, they all look the same, differing except in color. A boring metal box with a pair of buttons and a pair of LEDs may not satisfy the sense of beauty, and then you want to make a case for your PC with your own hands. There is also another situation - the availability of existing ceases to arrange in terms of functionality - there is little space or insufficient ventilation in it, causing computer components to overheat. For example, sometimes you need to add a second video card or several hard drives, and the standard case becomes less suitable for all this. There are other situations where you have to make the computer case yourself. For example, all the money spent on top-end components, and the body of the budget is not enough. Or there is a laptop with a faulty display, and I want to turn it into a desktop one. Cases are different, but one thing unites them - you need to take the tools in your hands and make the computer case with your own hands.
Creating a case for the PC yourself.
What must be considered
The most important requirement for any computer case, including the self-made - sufficient space for ventilation and cooling. In standard, most common Moddle-Tower Form type cases, it is not by chance that there is a lot of empty space. This allows air to circulate freely, and when installing energy-intensive components, it is possible to add additional fans. Therefore, when developing a self-made design, it is necessary to take into account not only the dimensions of all the components, but also to provide free space for air circulation around each of them. You also need to decide how the power supply will be installed. There are two options:
- From above. This is a classic scheme in which warm air flows out through the power supply. This provides ventilation and low noise levels. But there is also a minus - the power supply unit can overheat itself, if there are no other coolers. The system diagram of the system unit with the upper power supply is usually used to create their own hands.
- From below. In this case, the power supply is placed on the bottom of the case, and air enters it from the bottom, through the grill, and is blown out through the other wall to the outside. Plus - the power supply is well cooled exclusively by “outside air”. Minus - he does not participate at all in the cooling system of the system as a whole, therefore coolers are necessary. Another disadvantage is that the air flow to the power supply takes place under the bottom of the case and can be difficult. In addition, the noise level will be increased - it is created by the movement of air below, plus the noise from the fan is transmitted directly to the surface.
If you choose the horizontal option - the Desktop type, then the requirements remain the same, except that there is less room for maneuvers with a power supply. However, ventilation must be ensured for all sites.
What material to choose
The case for the computer, made by hand, should be not only beautiful, but also durable and functional. Although some make it even from boxboard, it is not serious. Usually choose the following materials:
- Tree.
- Plexiglas.
- Aluminum.
- Steel.
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Consider them in more detail.
The tree is easily processed, you can use sheet material - plywood, chipboard, etc. The body of wood can be made, even without a lot of experience and expensive tools. It will provide a fairly low noise level. However, this material will have one drawback - poor heat transfer, so there must be enough free space inside and good cooling.
Plexiglas - it is easy to saw and cut; the case, with due care, is quite professional. This option is usually chosen by fans of modding - the creators of beautiful and original transparent cases with a lot of highlights inside. Among the shortcomings - this material still requires the ability to handle it and the skills to handle it. Awkward movement - and a long deep scratch is secured.
Aluminum has a lot of advantages, but the main ones are that it is light and has good heat transfer. However, this is a relatively expensive material, and because of the flexibility of aluminum, the rigidity of the body and internal partitions will be rather weak. Yes, and it is scratched easily, therefore, requires surface treatment. Steel perfectly absorbs vibrations, has good thermal conductivity, and is durable. The steel case will reliably protect internal knots from any influences. But for processing steel, we need different tools, and this work is not easy. But the result is excellent.
Before you make the case for the computer, the issue with the material must be solved. If you do not have the skills to work with metal, but you want to use it, you can do it like this - design all the patterns and make the drawings. In many cities there are workshops and enterprises, where according to drawings to order, they will precisely cut out and even deliver all parts made of metal of the desired thickness. It will be necessary only to collect this designer. With wooden blanks you can do the same.
Case design
It is difficult to give any advice here - everything is strictly individual. You can make a case with a standard design only from need, when there is no money to buy it, although it costs not so much. Therefore, usually creative people take on this work in order to make something original that nobody has. Or to solve some technical problem - for example, place the contents of a laptop in a separate case and fix it to the back of the TV. Fans of modding - experiments with the design of the computer case, which only options are not created. This and wall options, including in the form of a panel under the glass. This and numerous transparent cases with spectacular illumination of coolers and other nodes.
Some even arranged it from the tabletop with a glass surface. Forms can also be different - from classical parallelepipeds to spherical or pyramidal. There are also more complex ones - in the form of some characters, for example, the R2-D2 robot from Star Wars. Look good in cases made in retro style. For example, a spectacular model styled as a lamp Soviet apparatus, with a multitude of dials and handles on the front panel - they, by the way, function and show CPU usage, memory, and other parameters. Futuristic and post-apocalyptic design is also popular. Many computers are designed in the style of the Fallout game.
PC case, created by hand, always has a personal design, because it exists in a single copy. However, before you take up this creative business, do not forget to calculate and provide all the technical issues that were discussed at the beginning of the article. No matter how your computer case looks, externally, comfortable working conditions should be created for internal devices, even at maximum load.