can I slim down an atx power supply?

[rcpitlane]

Hey guys/gals,
I am in the process of putting a 17" flatscreen, 360 and an atx power supply into a new metal briefcase. It seems like everything would fit. Except the power supply.

So far I have removed everything from the 360 and extended everything, I have the flatscreen ripped apart and I disected the power/invertor board. So the monitor now runs of the 12/5 volts from the atx power supply.

I am just stuck with figuring out how to flatten it. From what I can see there are just two heatsinks in it. I was thinking maybe I could exted the four (transistors?) that connect to them. And then remount them on some CPU heatsinks with a fan. I'm not sure if that's safe, and if that would work. Any thoughts?

[nitro2k01]

If you even have to ask, don't to it. There's both a risk for over-heating and short circuits, which in the worst could both cause a fire. Keep in mind that heatsinks in PSU's are often "hot". (High voltage) I'd say, just buy a smaller one.

[XCVG]

nitro is right about the 'hot' heatsinks. So basically, make sure that nothing is connected in any way to anything it wasn't connected to before. You may have to insulate the transistors and wire them up to the board with wires where the heatsink was. Be careful, this is high voltage shi... stuff.

[nevermind1534]

Keep in mind that heatsinks in PSU's are often "hot". (High voltage) I'd say, just buy a smaller one.

I have first hand experience. I was working on my xbox and forgot to unplug the power cord before I opened it back up. I accidentally touched one of the heatsinks and got a shock from it. It felt like when I put my hand in the light bulb socket.

[rcpitlane]

I decided to just make my case a little fatter. This way the PSU can fit in whole and untouched.