Small Case Design

**pirate_king00** · 01-09-2005, 01:46 AM

Has anyone made there own small case design to house a Micro ATX mb. I have seen that a company in Taiwan is making much of the 5.8x9.8 Mini computers using the Intel 865gv chipset. However these systems dont allow you to use high end video card. That is why I want something small to house Micro ATX.
So curious to see if anyone has made a nice case. I plan on putting a p4 system into my 2003 Dodge Ram so needs to be small and probably have to use 2 dc-dc power supplys to operate the P4 2.8ghz cpu. I do have a buddy who owns a shop and we may engineer a case that will house micro atx mother board, and also be fanless. Need to work out the specs. I am also waiting on ASUS to release the Espresso (tv/fm tuner integrated) Looks fun to mess around with.

**0l33l** · 01-09-2005, 01:50 AM

GOOD lucky having a fanless 2.8ghz p4

You will need atleast one fan on.

**Twopoint** · 01-09-2005, 02:18 AM

I had one made out of sheet metal, (7x8x3) the only problem is I used the wrong guage metal (16), I now have a bullet proof case.
I am using the same motherboard, p4 2.8, with a low profile fan
and am using a 90 degree pci connector for an audigy card

**Peoples** · 01-09-2005, 02:19 AM

wow, how did you cut that sucker?

**Twopoint** · 01-09-2005, 02:35 AM

had the case made at a fabricator and did all of the cutting myself with a sawzall and jig saw

**ramy_zohair** · 01-09-2005, 09:39 AM

impossible to have a fanless P4. It'll work for 2-3 min and then shut off.

**Cris** · 01-09-2005, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by ramy_zohair

impossible to have a fanless P4. It'll work for 2-3 min and then shut off.

Actually, it will work. I can't remember exactlly, but I've seen a Pentium running with no problem without the fan on Tom's Harware...it was the AMD that worked for 2 minutes and then fried...
Now, ofcourse, even if they did it, it will most certanlly not work in the car...

**0l33l** · 01-09-2005, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Cris

Actually, it will work. I can't remember exactlly, but I've seen a Pentium running with no problem without the fan on Tom's Harware...it was the AMD that worked for 2 minutes and then fried...
Now, ofcourse, even if they did it, it will most certanlly not work in the car...

If you actually read that article, the P4 experienced thermal throttleing. That means that it reduced its speed to keep the computer running. So before they were playign quake at around 100fps, and after removing the fan it dropped down to 15fps. Might as well get an EPIA, you'll get about the same performance as a thermally throttled p4.

**Peoples** · 01-09-2005, 02:07 PM

well, since i ditched the m10000 due to the issues I ran into with it, i purchased a pentium 4 M processor and an XPC motheboard, should be arriving soon. I even got a silent cpu fan and wrapped cables with it for less then $85. But since the mobo is 9.5"x7" i'll need to figure a new case design. I'm planning on finding an old switch or trashed router from my school, in our storage area and rip out its insides to make the case that will fit under my passenger seat. Too bad that mobo isnt just 1" shorter, then it could fit behind my lilliput right in the dash.

**pirate_king00** · 01-09-2005, 10:42 PM

OK, This what I have found out over the weekend. You can get a P4 2.4ghz running is a fanless case (without throttleing down). This is accomplished by using an aluminum case with vented fins on both side. You can purcahse a heatsink that attaches to the case (disperaces the heat).
The motherboard that I am going to go with is the Gigabyte GA-8trs350mt (has alot of cool features along with built in ATI Raedon 9200). Looks like I may be implementing an OPUS 150 and also another DC powersupply to power the components.
I have seen alot of places selling carputer systems, but looks like they are using an ac-dc adapter.