LEGO PC Case

[Jackster]

Hi all!

First post here.

Thought I would show you something I am working on.

The idea (Has been done before but never this good lucking :P ) is to build a computer case out of LEGO to house the motherboard, GPU, PSU and a hard drive.

So here is a video of it at 80% done.

Since then I have got to 100%.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg209/scaled.php?server=209&filename=lddscreenshot14.png

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg209/scaled.php?server=209&filename=lddscreenshot17.png

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg19/scaled.php?server=19&filename=lddscreenshot7d.png

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg710/scaled.php?server=710&filename=lddscreenshot6.png

I am going to super glue the bricks together and have put some supports in to give it some rigidity.

Any concerns about this? Not going to be holding heavy stuff just a basic ATX motherboard.

Thanks!

Jack,

[Flash]

Love the idea, and a big plus as it'll be completly customizeable.

However, there's a big problem I see, that that's heat. Current cases are almost all aluminum or steel, so they help to dissipate all that heat.

Fans will help, just something to think about.

Hi all!

First post here.

Thought I would show you something I am working on.

The idea (Has been done before but never this good lucking :P ) is to build a computer case out of LEGO to house the motherboard, GPU, PSU and a hard drive.

So here is a video of it at 80% done.

Since then I have got to 100%.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg209/scaled.php?server=209&filename=lddscreenshot14.png

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg209/scaled.php?server=209&filename=lddscreenshot17.png

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg19/scaled.php?server=19&filename=lddscreenshot7d.png

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg710/scaled.php?server=710&filename=lddscreenshot6.png

I am going to super glue the bricks together and have put some supports in to give it some rigidity.

Any concerns about this? Not going to be holding heavy stuff just a basic ATX motherboard.

Thanks!

Jack,

[zed0]

How are you planning to attach your motherboard? Have you put connector pegs in the appropriate places?

How about hard drives, are they just going to sit on that shelf?

I don't know if you have any PCI slots but they might be a little wobbly if they aren't slotted into the case as normal.

[Sikozu]

A better idea would be to use a motherboard tray which you then mount to the Lego case and also a hard drive cage which again you attach to the Lego. You can buy these seperatly or you could get a old/cheap beige case and cut out the good bits.

This will ensure your components are securely mounted. Remember that you need to connect the motherboard tray to the psu so it has a ground connection as well.

[splatman]

Love the idea, and a big plus as it'll be completly customizeable.

However, there's a big problem I see, that that's heat. Current cases are almost all aluminum or steel, so they help to dissipate all that heat.

Fans will help, just something to think about.

I always thought cases were made of metal, to shield the components against EMF/radio interference, perhaps even EMP, to a limited extent, such as during thunderstorms. Or to keep the unit from causing interference (with radio, TVs, etc.) of its own. Or to block Van Eck phreakers, tho, they probably only target monitors, not the PC. Lining a non-metal case with aluminum or copper tape would achieve that objective nicely. Just be sure to connect this lining to ground for it to be effective.

Aluminum tape can be bought at a hardware store, in the tape or HVAC section. DK where copper tape can be obtained, besides online.

If you're supergluing the case together, just to make sure it stays together, instead, try threaded rod. One threaded rod in each corner, with a washer and nut on each end, will hold it together nicely. Use Technic plates with holes, or drill out a stud in the 4 places on the top and bottom. That will hold it together by clamping action.

Then it's just a matter of hiding the rod ends and nuts and washers.

Better a few pieces modded to fit some threaded rod, than a bunch of bricks glued together. Then, if you need to reconfigure it, your options are open.

Or glue it together with PVA (Elmer's) glue. That way, if you want to take it apart, just soak it in warm water.

The Al/Cu tape lining (if you go that route) will probably hold it together enough to negate the need for glue or threaded rods.

I second hacking apart an old beige case for the mobo tray and other bits. Ask around for some old computers. You might even find some parts you're intending to buy, if you haven't bought them yet. I found an almost-new 30 gig HDD in an old PC, which I installed in mine when its 40 gig HDD's sectors were going bad left and right. There's plenty of space (SPACE!) left on it, so the loss of 10 gigs is no big deal. I've broke down old PCs and other electronics for scrap. Computer parts contain gold. Worth $$ at the scrapyard. Check the local Yellow Pages under recycling to find out where to cash in old PC parts and scrap metal. Then you'll have more $$ to put toward your LEGO PC.