Reading back here I just realized I forgot to answer the question...
What do you guys think about the hardware layout? Should I try to get the psu above the motherboard or keep it to the side?
In my mod/custom builds whenever possible, I try to design it in such a manner that if you needed to swap out RAM, CPU, or get in there for some other reason your not going to be dealing with buried components. Its like the shuttle computer I worked on for a friend, he wanted to upgrade his CPU, but to do so the computer a small cube had to be pretty well disassembled to replace the Single Core AMD with a Dual Core. If you dont plan on ever being inside of it for RAM, CPU, or CMOS battery swap etc then its probably no problem to build it tight as long as you still maintain adequate airflow for cooling. But its also a work of art at times to install all components and not have them packed together if you have room to place them elsewhere inside the spatial limitations of the case.
In my builds if I can place the power supply to the side and keep the motherboard free and clear of clutter I will, but its also because I know I will likely add memory or a better CPU to a build etc. But also I dont care for a cramped together build with spaghetti of wiring cramped together if I can avoid it.
One thing I forgot to mention in my post about my IBM 5150 modern guts build is that I created cardboard cut outs to exact scale of components to be installed in the case. I then labelled what each cardboard piece represented and was able to shuffle them around within the area that I was limited to and plan out on the fly where parts would go. Once I knew the area relation worked I'd check to make sure the placement worked for cable lengths and height relation to area installed. So by cardboard jigging it out I was able to move around where parts would go without handling the parts within the soon to be case for it all and chance damaging the parts. Additionally I was having to take a dremmel and remove metal from the inside of the case and so I had metal dust and filings everywhere as I was forcing modern guts into a 30 year old case and didnt want the metal dust etc to get into the board and short stuff out. After all was done and drilled and cut out etc. I blew it out with 90 psi of air and then tapped the case on a white table cloth looking for any additional filings to fall out. After inspection that no debris was remaining I then was able to assemble it.
