Wooden Case?

[mattesca]

I have my old computer, stored away and i thought of bringing it back for my friends to play on, and then i looked at the case and said hell no, bigdawgfoxx knows what im talkin about.

But then i had an idea...some of u thinking what am i goin to break now :lol:


I was wondering if building a computer case out of wood was a bad idea?

Building it from wood, i would have lots of ways to design fans placement and other needs. Its simple to work with wood rather than metal.

Any way it was just a thought

[scottwile]

i built a 3 sided wooden case and it worked good, but a inclosed wooded case wouldn't be a good idea because would hold heat in
B)

[clocker]

It's been done ( with varying levels of success) several times.

The acoustic dampening properties of wood would be a definite plus, I think.

Unfortunately, most of the cases I've seen are merely reproductions of the standard PC box rendered in a different material.

I think it would be really cool if someone exploited the different construction techniques available with wood rather than take the easy way out and just build a box.

[mattesca]

sounds like a real good challange


wont warm air be removed by the use of fans??

[scottwile]

yes, but u will need more then if it was in a metal case..

[Barbarossa]

Wood is a good insulator, so I think it may act like a bit of a sauna, but if you get good air flowing through it should be OK, maybe an extra fan will help.

[mattesca]

i will have 7 80mm fans maybe even more

[scottwile]

you would be alright with 7 fans i'm guessing.

[mattesca]

ight, thats nice to know

[TheDave]

do it and post pics :D

[mattesca]

dont worry i will

[TheDave]

well if someone can make a cardboard one...

Image Resized
[img]http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/cardboardcube/images/cardboardcube0004L.jpg' width='200' height='120' border='0' alt='click for full size view'> ('http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/cardboardcube/images/cardboardcube0004L.jpg')

[Snee]

paper mac (http://www.theapplecollection.com/Collection/PaperMac/) :D prolly nearly as useful as a real one.

My favourite one tho' was a 'puter built in a pizza -box a few years ago, it was really cool 'cos the guy had used a flash memory to put the os(linux I think) on, to save room and gain speed. So he could use the hd, one of them slim ones, I think, purely for storage.

[TheDave]

http://www.mini-itx.com :D

[Snee]

Originally posted by TheDave@11 August 2004 - 20:22
http://www.mini-itx.com :D
Cool site.

And...

http://www.mini-itx.com/news/images/story0309.jpg

3.6 GFLP. :blink: cool.

[mattesca]

that is krunk

[Stuny]

Wouldnt a wooden comp like get really hot?

[abu_has_the_power]

one definite con of a wooden case: a lot heavier than it needs to be. wat if u need to carry it to a lan party?

[Barbarossa]

Originally posted by abu_has_the_power@12 August 2004 - 07:31
one definite con of a wooden case: a lot heavier than it needs to be. wat if u need to carry it to a lan party?
I don't think he's talking about huge oak beams here, just a few pieces of 3-ply, I don't think it would be much heavier than a metal case.. (so long as you keep it dry!! :lol: )

Anyway, you could always put it on castors and roll it...

[lynx]

Originally posted by Stuny+12 August 2004 - 06:56--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Stuny @ 12 August 2004 - 06:56)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Wouldnt a wooden comp like get really hot? [/b]
<!--QuoteBegin-barbarossa@12 August 2004 - 09:52
(so long as you keep it dry!!&nbsp; :lol:&nbsp; )[/quote]

Hmmm, soak the case in water and have the evaporation help keep it cool? B)

[mattesca]

the case wont be that big, it wont be that heavy either

no i am not taking it to a lan party

[mattesca]

lynx Posted on 12 August 2004 - 12:00
&nbsp; QUOTE (Stuny @ 12 August 2004 - 06:56)
Wouldnt a wooden comp like get really hot?&nbsp;



QUOTE (barbarossa @ 12 August 2004 - 09:52)
(so long as you keep it dry!!&nbsp; &nbsp; )



Hmmm, soak the case in water and have the evaporation help keep it cool?&nbsp;

that would cause humidity, be like a rainforest

[Sasage]

Make sure you get wood that won&#39;t warp over time.

[mattesca]

yes i know, that would reallly suck

[abu_has_the_power]

Originally posted by mattesca@12 August 2004 - 07:02
the case wont be that big, it wont be that heavy either

no i am not taking it to a lan party
u never know. this compared to a aluminum case. umm... aluminum is lighter. but wood looks cooler. so i&#39;ll shut up now

[clocker]

Originally posted by Stuny@11 August 2004 - 23:56
Wouldnt a wooden comp like get really hot?
Why?
It&#39;s hardly as though convection plays a major role in a typical PC&#39;s cooling.

The standard computer case is absolutely riddled with holes, so air intake/exhaust happens whether you plan on it or not.
A homebuilt wooden case will have venting only if the builder puts it there and might run hotter due to poor planning, not because it&#39;s made of wood.

[mattesca]

Thank you clocker, my plans are to have as much ventaltion as possible, my mobe will be upside down and the case will be about 4 - 5 inchs off the top of my desk. It look like it is on stillts and so i put fans in the bottom which will blow directly on the cpu :D :D and then fans on top, for exaust.

I think it will be great figuring Im and expert in building things out of wood.

[clocker]

I like the idea of vertical airflow...makes more sense ( at least intuitively) than front to back.
As long as you&#39;re at it...
-position your motherboard so it&#39;s not smack up against the sidewall (this traps heat behind the board). If the mobo was say 1-1 1/2" off the wall ( easy enough to make custom standoffs) then your floor fans could be positioned to flow air up both sides , which should help alot.

-I see you plan on using a bunch of 80mm fans....bad idea.
Fewer 120mm fans will move more air with less noise.
Why not start with all the advantages you can?

-The only tricky part of a case is the I/Oport and PCI/AGP slots. You can cannibalize this from an old case and save yourself a lot of grief.

[mattesca]

Im using 4 120mm fans 2 on top 2 on bottom



i have a few ideas for the I/Oport and PCI/AGP slots, that will be the hardest part.

[clocker]

Originally posted by mattesca@15 August 2004 - 08:38




i have a few ideas for the I/Oport and PCI/AGP slots, that will be the hardest part.
Good luck, then.
On my latest project I found getting that part right was by far the trickiest.
If your AGP access slot is not perfectly aligned, when you tighten the retaining screw it will either try to cock the video card in the AGP header or flex the whole motherboard.
Be careful.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Is it really neccesary to screw them in? They hold in pretty good just being pluged in.

[lynx]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@15 August 2004 - 19:40
Is it really neccesary to screw them in? They hold in pretty good just being pluged in.
The first time one falls out, and blows the card and the mobo, you will change your mind. It will happen with something silly like brushing against the monitor lead or better still pulling another lead which happens to have wrapped itself round the monitor lead.

[tesco]

Originally posted by lynx+15 August 2004 - 14:31--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (lynx @ 15 August 2004 - 14:31)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-bigdawgfoxx@15 August 2004 - 19:40
Is it really neccesary to screw them in?&nbsp; They hold in pretty good just being pluged in.
The first time one falls out, and blows the card and the mobo, you will change your mind. It will happen with something silly like brushing against the monitor lead or better still pulling another lead which happens to have wrapped itself round the monitor lead. [/b][/quote]
i jsut did that about half an hour ago cause im moving back up to my room and all it did was make my computer go all funny looking then i restarted and it fixed itself.

[clocker]

Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004+15 August 2004 - 13:44--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ROSSCO_2004 @ 15 August 2004 - 13:44)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by lynx@15 August 2004 - 14:31
<!--QuoteBegin-bigdawgfoxx@15 August 2004 - 19:40
Is it really neccesary to screw them in?&nbsp; They hold in pretty good just being pluged in.
The first time one falls out, and blows the card and the mobo, you will change your mind. It will happen with something silly like brushing against the monitor lead or better still pulling another lead which happens to have wrapped itself round the monitor lead.
i jsut did that about half an hour ago cause im moving back up to my room and all it did was make my computer go all funny looking then i restarted and it fixed itself. [/b][/quote]
So you got lucky...wanna try that again?

I&#39;m not sure that Mattesca wants to play the lottery with his high zoot 9800XT card.

[tesco]

Originally posted by clocker+15 August 2004 - 19:13--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (clocker @ 15 August 2004 - 19:13)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004@15 August 2004 - 13:44

Originally posted by lynx@15 August 2004 - 14:31
<!--QuoteBegin-bigdawgfoxx@15 August 2004 - 19:40
Is it really neccesary to screw them in?&nbsp; They hold in pretty good just being pluged in.
The first time one falls out, and blows the card and the mobo, you will change your mind. It will happen with something silly like brushing against the monitor lead or better still pulling another lead which happens to have wrapped itself round the monitor lead.
i jsut did that about half an hour ago cause im moving back up to my room and all it did was make my computer go all funny looking then i restarted and it fixed itself.
So you got lucky...wanna try that again?

I&#39;m not sure that Mattesca wants to play the lottery with his high zoot 9800XT card. [/b][/quote]
i wasn&#39;t disagreeing with lynx if that&#39;s what u think. :unsure:

[clocker]

Oh.

I don&#39;t think much, Ross....it slows down my posting. :P

[Ariel_001]

Is no one here worried about EM interference? There will be no longer a metal case to shield all that comming from the computer. :ghostface:

[bigdawgfoxx]

And what exactly is that? lol...there will be a motherboard mount thats metal but thats about it.

[Tormentor]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@15 August 2004 - 20:54
And what exactly is that? lol...there will be a motherboard mount thats metal but thats about it.
Electro magnetic interferance. besides that I also have no fuckin clue what it means.

[tesco]

this is a guess but i think it would let off magnetics like a speaker (unshielded) does...meaning if next to a monitor it will make it go funny colors, and interfere with other electronics as well. :unsure:

[Ariel_001]

Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004@16 August 2004 - 00:07
this is a guess but i think it would let off magnetics like a speaker (unshielded) does...meaning if next to a monitor it will make it go funny colors, and interfere with other electronics as well. :unsure:
Ya thats. You can see EM interference in action if you put a cell phone right next to a radio. Prefetley an old radio. Make a call and the radio will go crazy or stop working. It works with anything electronic.

Anyways I guess it really does not matter, unless you really close to something like a heart/lung machine. :rolleyes:

[maskawaih]

:unsure: i&#39;ve ever tried open my case (becoz of OCing the mobo overheat so..). beside that was my cheap subwoofer which make my old CRT monitor blown up. yeah, its EM made the monitor blown.. well, not into pieces but inside it, smelled funny with something sounds like electrocution. the mobo still intact till now.

[mattesca]

hmmm i could use this power to blow the hell out of something

[bigdawgfoxx]

Originally posted by mattesca@16 August 2004 - 07:27
hmmm i think ur wrong about that electro magnetic shit
no hes right..thats why computer speakers are sheilded and shit so they dont fuck up ur monitor

[Virtualbody1234]

Originally posted by mattesca@16 August 2004 - 07:27
hmmm i think ur wrong about that electro magnetic shit
Electro magnetic shit?

You better watch what you&#39;re eating.

[mattesca]

i apoligize :D

[bigdawgfoxx]

Originally posted by Virtualbody1234+16 August 2004 - 07:34--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Virtualbody1234 @ 16 August 2004 - 07:34)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-mattesca@16 August 2004 - 07:27
hmmm i think ur wrong about that electro magnetic shit
Electro magnetic shit?

You better watch what you&#39;re eating. [/b][/quote]
hahahahahhaa :lol: :lol: :lol:

[mattesca]

well then i guess the wooden case project is ended

[clocker]

Why?

[mattesca]

cause of the electic stuff thing, not unlees there is a way around it.......


well is there clocker

[TheDave]

staple chicken wire to the inside of your case

[tesco]

coat the inside with sheet metal? :unsure:

i don&#39;t really think u gotta worry about it aslong as ur case isn&#39;t sitting right next to a stereo or monitor or tv...

[mattesca]

TheDave Posted on 16 August 2004 - 23:38
&nbsp; staple chicken wire to the inside of your case&nbsp;

will that really work

[tesco]

put a giant high-powered magnet directly on your hard drive...that will get rid of all electro-magnetic pulses. :)

DISCLAIMER: don&#39;t really do this u will loose all info on your hard drive...

[clocker]

Originally posted by mattesca@16 August 2004 - 17:21
cause of the electic stuff thing, not unlees there is a way around it.......


well is there clocker
I think you are overestimating the deletorious* effects of EMI.
Think about it...if it was really that big a deal, how would all plexi cases be possible?
Or what about folks who run their PCs without the sidepanels...shouldn&#39;t they be suffering constant problems?
I think it&#39;s a total non-issue.
Right now at OC forums.com there are several wooden case projects being undertaken and no one has run into problems yet.




* get out your bloody dictionary

[TheDave]

Originally posted by mattesca@17 August 2004 - 00:01

TheDave Posted on 16 August 2004 - 23:38
staple chicken wire to the inside of your case

will that really work
as clocker said its really nothing to worry about. my pc is basically a frame and i have a speaker sat on the cd drive.


but chicken wire is as effective as metal panels at deadening the magnetic feild

[TheKiler]

A wooden computer is not a good idea. Why? Well that&#39;s because it&#39;ll be rotting the next day because you fried too much eggs in your computer.

[mattesca]

:lol: well after thinking about it my dream case will live on :D

[TheDave]

Originally posted by mattesca@17 August 2004 - 01:57
:lol: well after thinking about it my dream case will live on :D
i think i will buld one too. i&#39;m sick of this loud ass peice o shit on my desk

[clocker]

Look at this. (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=315676)
And this. (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=65205)

Maybe not to your taste exactly, but might provide some ideas.

[TheDave]

Originally posted by clocker@17 August 2004 - 02:39
Look at this. (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=315676)
And this. (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=65205)

Maybe not to your taste exactly, but might provide some ideas.
i was thinking along the lines of the first one. i cant put the top of the case back on because the graphics card is too tall so maybe a could build the top half. then i can watch movies and hear what people say again :01:

Image Resized
Image Resized
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/TheDave/my_pc.jpg' width='200' height='120' border='0' alt='click for full size view'> (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/TheDave/my_pc.jpg)

[bigdawgfoxx]

He wants to stain it too.

[mattesca]

thank you clocker

[clocker]

Sure.
I&#39;ve toyed with the idea of a wooden case myself, being intrigued by the easy malleability of the material.
You can achieve shapes and effects with wood that are simply not possible for the home metal banger.

[mattesca]

yes sence u just said that im thinking of a wierd design for a case, hmmmm my mind is working :D

[TheDave]

i just realised. ive got the perfect case right in front of me. its old school err old school desk, all i need to do is measure it, check it doesnt crunch my graphics card and get permission from mum to cut a fan hole or two, cut the cd bay and power button. :D


will post pics when people aren&#39;t supposed to be sleeping

[Barbarossa]

A watercooled wooden case&#33;&#33; Now THAT is a challenge... :o

[mattesca]

maybe,

air cooled is still the hardest

[clocker]

Originally posted by barbarossa@17 August 2004 - 02:38
A watercooled wooden case!! Now THAT is a challenge... :o

maybe,

air cooled is still the hardest
Actually, there is nothing inherently more difficult about one or the other, they have differing requirements, that's all.

You have a decided advantage here, Mattesca...you are starting from scratch, not trying to shoehorn components into an already existing box, so you can make exactly what you want.

Try not to blow it. :P

[lynx]

Originally posted by clocker@17 August 2004 - 15:13
Try not to blow it. :P
Is that a recommendation for water cooling then? ;)

[Barbarossa]

Originally posted by mattesca@17 August 2004 - 14:38
maybe,

air cooled is still the hardest
The attraction of watercooling seems to be the complete lack of noise..?

[mattesca]

yeah ill keep that in mind clocker

[clocker]

Originally posted by barbarossa+17 August 2004 - 10:43--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (barbarossa @ 17 August 2004 - 10:43)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-mattesca@17 August 2004 - 14:38
maybe,

air cooled is still the hardest
The attraction of watercooling seems to be the complete lack of noise..? [/b][/quote]
That is completely untrue.
A casual perusal of the watercooling section at OCforums will show that to build a water system that competes with a highend air configuration requires at least as many if not more fans.
It is not unusual to see radiators with 4x 120mm fans...effective, but definitely NOT quiet.
If silence is the primary goal, then a passive solution ( say, the Zalman Reserator) can be used, but your cooling performance will take a hit.

Watercooling being silent is a total myth.