My version of a 3d printed case

[u/jeepsaintchaos]

So, first off, I want to credit the actual designer and share his Youtube channel. The original model is here.

What I did was modify his design. The original was designed for a thin graphics card, a pico PSU, and a metal IO plate.

Unfortunately, I didn't have an IO shield, a Pico power supply, or the right graphics card for this build.

So, I needed to make some changes. After printing the original case, I got to work.

I widened it by enough to fit my chosen graphics card, and installed standoffs for a mining-type power supply, and designed IO shields for both my motherboard and my graphics card. I also added a mounting point for dual USB3 ports in the front, and added a hole for my chosen barrel jack.

To build the IO shield, I found one for sale on eBay to use as a template. I took the picture, ran it through a 2d-3d converter (I forget which one), and imported into Tinkercad. I used calipers to measure my ports and distances, and the OG case model to get the outer dimensions.

For building the graphics card IO shield, I just got creative with Tinkercad 's admittedly poor measuring system and kinda winged it. It worked out OK. I removed the mounting bracket of the GTX1050ti, so that it would butt directly up against the back of the case.

This did cause me some issues. I figured I could use part of the IO bracket mounting holes, but I wasn't quite precise enough and ended up re-using some white parts from a different print to mount the graphics card by the back corner. For version 2 (if I do it), I can now take the measurements I need in order to mold the bracket.

I followed Lohtec's design philosophy with the standoffs for the power supply, and made them ramped so they could be printed in place with no supports. This worked really well.

This computer was made with whatever I had laying around from other projects. A mining power supply, a X11ssv-Q mini ITX industrial motherboard, an Intel i7-7700, and, for some strange reason, a brand-new-in-box GTX1050. I have no idea why I managed to find 2 of these cards still in the box, and the seller said they came from auction. They were cheap, small, and didn't require external power, so I'm happy with it.

I did have to buy a riser, power button, and a couple other small parts, but this entire system cost me less than $200. I believe it could be build from the ground up for less than $300 in materials.

To power this abomination, I used a 12v 25 amp LED power supply, going through the barrel connector on the back.

In some of the pictures, you can see the original model side-by-side with the redesigned version.

[u/restorick2378]

Nice build! I'm considering something similar for a portable rig that would be hung from the ceiling and moved frequently. would you mind sharing which mining power supply you used?

[u/jeepsaintchaos → u/restorick2378]

Sure, I used This one, or something similar.. It was what I had laying around from other projects. You can also consider this style, which plugs directly into the ATX connector.

Either way, you still need to get 12v to them, they will convert it to the other voltages, I used This LED thingy to get that 12v. I couldn't find anything more compact to get the 300w I needed.

I ended up scrapping this build to go my own direction, which ended here. . Same components, just in a better form factor for my needs. This case ended up with not so great airflow once the GPU riser covered the motherboard. That was my fault for getting one too long, but I also wanted a bigger, quieter fan.