Ultimate LAN pc

[zpsyx9]

Hi all, thinking about building a new small form factor system specifically for lan parties, as of right now I have a thermaltake lanbox, but it's too heavy and too much of a pain to work with.
I've had this idea to create a new system and i want to get it down to the size of maybe a ps3, it doesnt have to be exact it could be a little bigger. I'd like it to resemble a console though.

Basically I'd like to know if theres a way to stuff a matx board, core2 duo, 8800 gtx, 500w + psu, 1 hard drive in a case that size. I know theres no standardized way to do it, but this IS the mod forum

Right now I'm using a Blue Orb 2 cooler, thats the lowest profile one I could find but i'd be willing to go with a different one if I could find a smaller one.

I found a few sites that have pci-e slot extensions that would allow me to place the gtx horizontally in the case, they have a two or three slot riser so I'd still have my one pci slot for a soundcard with another extension. anyone know if that sort of thing works? (it took me a while to find, ill get a link if i can find one later)

The only other problem with the set up would be the power supply, is there any where I could come across a low-profile one, or mod one myself?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Look at the Ultra Microfly case at TigerDirect, or the newer but more expensive model at buy.com. it fits a mATX and a standard PSU. It has a big exhaust fan and room for a 2-slot video card with out-the-back exhaust so your system won't cook itself to death.

There is a new Scythe mini Ninja HSF, no idea if it will fit. The people in the SilentPCReview forums might have a better idea.

 

[Zap]

Hello zpsyx9, and welcome to the forums.

I used to have these discussions with a friend of mine during "downtime" at LAN parties (when the smokers go outside and the rest of us share... data). We just couldn't find a good or cheap way to do this. The closest would be a modded Shuttle style SFF. As for low profile PSUs, look for 1U or 2U server PSUs. Still, most would not be able to run your 8800GTX. Alternately you can get a 1U PSU for the rest of the system and one of those 5¼" drive bay PSUs for the video card only, but that's starting to take up more space. You can perhaps take apart a PSU and integrate it into your system chassis since the "guts" of many of them don't take up much space at all. Besides voiding the warranty, you'd have to be careful and make sure it gets enough airflow.

 

[DaveSimmons]

^ also be careful not to fry yourself on the PSU capacitors

Shuttle does make some expensive high-end cubes now for gaming. I don't know if any are rated for an 8800GTX, but you can check us.shuttle.com and the sudhian.com forums.

The 8800GT and 3870 are lower-power than other cards, they might work if a GTX can't.

 

[gorobei]

can you post a link to the pci-e slot extensions?

And no, nothing exists right now that fits your description. there is a new ROSEWILL uATX case out though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811147098
custom 300w psu, probably not good enough to power a GTX. maybe one of the passive 8800GT? Plus the ODD bracket won't fit any card longer than 10in. by the looks of the pics.

 

[zpsyx9]

The link for one site I found is: http://www.logicsupply.com/cat...sories/pci_riser_cards

I don't really have any fabrication skills but it seems like in order to pull this off I'm going to need to learn some, doesn't seem like they make a case that comes close to what I'm lookin for. Maybe a gutted ps3? =)

The rosewill case is definately a step in the right direction though.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Shuttle does make some expensive high-end cubes now for gaming. I don't know if any are rated for an 8800GTX

AFAIK no dual slot video card will work in a Shuttle because the PCI-E slot is always on the edge, plus the PSU won't have two PCI-E connectors.

 

[razor2025]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Shuttle does make some expensive high-end cubes now for gaming. I don't know if any are rated for an 8800GTX

AFAIK no dual slot video card will work in a Shuttle because the PCI-E slot is always on the edge, plus the PSU won't have two PCI-E connectors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16856101045

This shuttle and other P series shuttle should be able to support dual slot cooler. I have the SN27P2 and it supports dual slot coolers.

 

[gorobei]

Originally posted by: zpsyx9
The link for one site I found is: http://www.logicsupply.com/cat...sories/pci_riser_cards

I don't really have any fabrication skills but it seems like in order to pull this off I'm going to need to learn some, doesn't seem like they make a case that comes close to what I'm lookin for. Maybe a gutted ps3? =)

The rosewill case is definately a step in the right direction though.

you'd have to use the pci-express riser with the flex ribbon wires. the 90deg one won't have nearly enough clearance to have the gpu side face the m/b. the Sparkle passive 8800gt with the h/s fins on the back of the card might be suitable.

the ps3 look you want sounds a little ambitious. the case is mostly injection formed plastic isn't it? a custom sheet metal m/b tray, vid card bracket, and drive cage shoe horned into a ps3 case is going to be a lot of work. Assuming you even have a bricked ps3 laying around to salvage the case from. I'm pretty sure there isn't a cpu h/s fan that will come close to fitting the thickness of the ps3 and still have room for the psu, cd, hd, and gpu card.
There are some companies that will custom build cases with metal bending, die cutting, laser etch, etc. to your design. the cost runs up into the upper three digit to four digit range though.

 

[EKTELESTES]

Apevia X-Qpack2 is the way to go.

I've done some research and you can fit an Enermax Liberty psu, X1900xt (dual slot card ) + it weighs only 4.2 kilos ^^

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Apevia/X_QPack_2

 

[gorobei]

the lanboy, shuttle, and chenming UATX cubes probably aren't what the OP was looking for. The only thing to do would be to wait a couple of years to see what comes out of the AMD open DTX form factor. There should be some cases and psu that might allow for your PS3 look. Might not be intel friendly, but at least there will be more parts to choose from.

 

[ric0chet06]

I have some experience making a lot of stuff fit into a Microfly matx case. Last month i had 2 7900gt's in SLI, a evga nf44 SLI mobo, amd x2 4200 w/ golden orb, 2 raptors in raid 0 and 1 storage hard drive, a cd drive, a floppy drive, a 500 watt psu, 2 gigs ram, 1 120mm fan, 1 hard drive cooling fan, and a 80mm intake fan. I'm not sure how long the gtx's are, but I'm sure you can fit one in there. here's a pic of it, and this psu was a temporary, didnt have my 500 watt that fit in this case yet.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h56/r1c0ch3t/2.jpg
I have pretty much all those parts and the microfly FS if you're interested