Creative computer enclosure ideas!

[sgtpepper]

So I just got a free computer today, one of my (rich) friends was getting rid of a computer he built a few years ago. Here are the specs:

3.4Ghz Pentium 4
Nvidia 7600 GT
Gigabyte GA-8I915P Duo-A ATX Motherboard (Intel 915P chipset)
2x 300 GB drives
DVD/CD burner
Floppy drive

In a nutshell, I don't have any real use for it, but why not take a free computer?

Anyway, I'm looking to just have some fun, doing whatever with it. The first objective: NEW CASE!!! This thing is in one of the most hideous computer cases I have ever seen. Picture a ridiculous Alienware* computer from 4 years ago, but even more hideous. Apart from it's looks, the noise it makes is terrible (all the blue LED fans are overkill and LOUD.) Most of my ideas for a case replacement seem rather boring. It's a standard ATX sized board, which unfortunately doesn't even fit in an Atari 2600, much less a NES , so old consoles are disqualified. I've always wanted to submerge a computer in mineral oil, but I honestly would rather do that with something more powerful that's worth overclocking. I also thought about building it into a mini-fridge, but I don't know how I would prevent condensation buildup (any ideas?) So this is where you guys come in- What could I use as a replacement computer case?

*(If you think that Alienware makes attractive computer cases, then you have a psychological problem...)

[palmertech]

*(If you think that Alienware makes attractive computer cases, then you have a psychological problem...)

What? Are you SERIOUS?!!11 Take a look at this case and try and tell me it is not attractive:



As for case ideas, an xbox 1 would be pretty funny. Heck, a 360 if it could fit would be cool, too, just to vex people.

[gamecube6]

image

Woow, that's awesome.

Anyways, that sounds like perfect specs for a mythTV to me.

[cennar]

sculp some thing.

[XCVG]

Put it in an XBOX. Actually, put it in a 360 or PS3 just to be ironic.

[eagle5953]

Everybody said it first, but I also was going to suggest an original xbox. Dead xboxes are pretty cheap - I bought one on eBay (only issue was faulty disk drive) for $11 shipped.

Other than that, the plastic brackets for the hard drive and optical drive would be ideal.

Few potential problems:
- Did anyone check to see if his full-size ATX board would fit?
- You could only put one hard drive and one optical drive in, and no floppy drive.
- The case would not leave room for much expansion (only one 5.25 drive and no 3.5 inchers).
- Not sure how you'd get a discrete graphics card in there short of buying a low-profile graphics card or an adapter to lay your card horizontal. Seriously, it looks big, but there's not a ton of room in there...

Few possible solutions:
- get two 5.25 drives by using laptop components
- get two hard drives, again by using laptop components
- make your own ports by dremeling the case

[Jongamer]

I can guarantee that a Full Sized ATX board would not fit in a Original Xbox. So you can scratch that idea, even if it would be very neat.
I don't even think a Micro ATX board would have fit.

And a Alienware case from 4 years ago looking hideous? What are you smoking?

I guess it is all just personal opinion.

[eagle5953]

Another thing you could try would be to make the thinnest computer you could. It would have an immense footprint, however.

Kind of how I would imagine it (with adapted graphics card):



It would end up looking a bit like those large thin dvd players. Alternatively, the top could have some amazing airbrushing done - it's a huge blank canvas for an artist.

Just some thoughts...

[nightwheel]

You could always do something like this case: Clicky

[Twilight Wolf]

It looks like something like that would overheat like nobody's business.

I am also in favor of the idea of putting it in an Xbox.

[64M320N3]

Why the hell would anybody want to keep the floppy drive?
The floppy disk is dead, people, from lack of data error correction and an incredibly small amount of space (anybody remember how many floppies you had to have for Doom 2? Ya. That's right.)

[cennar]

dreamel and hot glue. Get some.. GET SOME!!!1!!!!!1!111!!

[khaag]

Another thing you could try would be to make the thinnest computer you could. It would have an immense footprint, however.

Kind of how I would imagine it (with adapted graphics card):



It would end up looking a bit like those large thin dvd players. Alternatively, the top could have some amazing airbrushing done - it's a huge blank canvas for an artist.

Just some thoughts...

I say you do something like that, but make it so you hang it on your wall like a painting, could be an interesting piece of art. Put a slot loading dvd-drive in it, and you'll have the coolest "painting" ever made!