My new build (work in progress)

[homer]

i think an awesome idea would be to put it on a rail system, just like the keyboard tray in some desks. the part that pulls out could be the bottom of the case and the top could be the stationary part of the desk. this way you will have easy access to your comp for maintenance.

[Calum]

I'm actually planning something like that, using some wooden rails and a wooden tray.
The mobo etc will be screwed onto the tray, which can then slide out on the rails, and then be lifted right out if necessary.

[Calum]

Here's the components on a board.  The SCSI cable will be sorted out and tidied away later on.
Still debating how to add the fans onto the system, any ideas?

[Calum]

I hate to do this, but . . . *bump*
Any ideas how to add the fans on?
I need to figure this out pretty soon so I can order the fans, if there's no way to do it I'll use the horribly noisy fans that came with the system to cool the CPUs.

[homer]

2 suggestions...

1. realign the CPU heatsinks so they go with the airflow. im quite sure, if you make the case like i showed you in the diagram, your heastinks will not need fans; the case fans should provide enough airflow. if the heatsink cannot be rotated and/or the CPU's overheat, proceed to suggestion 2.

2. mount an 80mm fan (or a fan of appropriate size, 80mm is just an estimate from the picture) ontop of each of the CPU's that blows air down towards the CPU. you might need to drill a hole or two on a couple of the heatsink fins in order to properly mount them though. (i dont see any other way to mount the fans on the picture you provided.)

if there is no possible way to mount a fan onto the heatsink without drilling, below is a diagram of what i would do

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[Calum]

1. I will be doing that, I want to sue new thermal paste anyhow as whatever's on there is probably quite old.  Will reseat the heatsinks so that the fins get more airflow, certainly.  The issue is that I'm not sure how to mount the case fans themselves.
2. I could do that, sure, if encessary.

I was thinking of some way of using blocks of wood to mount the fans on, need to play around a bit later on and see what I can come up with.  the problem is that I don't want to block my expansion slots or the front ports . . .
I'll let you know what I got.

[homer]

I was thinking of some way of using blocks of wood to mount the fans on

the problem is that I don't want to block my expansion slots or the front ports . . .

can you not build the case like the one in the diagram i gave you? you would be mounting the fans straight to the front and back panels of the case, no need for wood blocks.

[Calum]

Need to suspend this for about a week, maybe two, while I work on other things and clear out my room.
Please bear with me.

[nalee]

Happy building

[Calum]

Thanks nalee.

[Calum]

OK, it's ready to proceed.
I'm using some 80mm fans on the heatsinks to keep the CPUs cool, as opposed to mounting the fans as case fans.
I'm also using two case standoffs screwed together to keep the board off the wood, so that I can actually install expansion cards - otherwise they don't fit in.
As the build actually progresses I'll grab some more pictures for anyone interested.
Dimensions will be roughly 20" deep, 20" wide, 7" high.

[Calum]

OK, it's now in place.  The only thing left is to make a power button.  Nothing too fancy, just some wires taped to the side so I can short them to turn it on, otherwise it's very awkward to access the pins directly as they're behind the RAM.

Pictures for anyone interested: (sorry for bad quality, I'm lacking a digital camera . . . blame RIM)
The actual build on its shelf
Right hand side of the build
Looking from the left of the build
The shelf shown underneath my desk

As you can see I'm using the stock fans for now, they're not as noisy as I thought they were when I first tried them.
Also, decided not to mount it up, expansion cards should be fine overhanging the edge slightly.

[patio]

Very Neat...
I'm wondering if an old phonograph cover would fit over that to reduce dust...
For a switch i would just scarf one out of an old case.

[Calum]

I don't think the dust will be a major problem, I can just clean it out every week or whenever it needs it.  It's not like the computer is inaccessible, it's right by my knee (but out of "bang my knee on it" range).
I'm also thinking of the airflow if I was to fit a cover over it.  might be something to look into though if I find something suitable.
Unfortunately I don't have any old spare cases with power switches, I threw the old cases I had away because they took up too much space in my room.  My wires idea didn't work too well, but I think I can fix something up from some other connectors and a push switch.  In the meantime, the bottom of the shelf is detachable anyway, so it's not too much trouble to pull it out a few inches and short the power pins.
When I get something rigged up I'll be sure to post back, I'll also post when I have time to get it up and running with an OS.

Thanks for the comments patio.

[patio]

I'd wire the chair seat with a pressure switch so that when you sit in front of it the machine boots up.....