HTPC advice required

[squishty.wibble]

Hi all,

This is my first post, so I apologise if I break any conventions.

I am looking to build a HTPC, but want to do so by using an amplifier's/AV receiver's casing (due to the height - 15cm minimum I think I need), rather than buying the specifically designed casing. I'll be throwing the HTPC together using various spares I've got and buying any required parts, just to get it working, then I'll look at improving it later on if I use it enough.

The problem I have is that there doesnt seem to be any guide whatsoever for building a HTPC using separates casing, they all expect you to buy a specifically-designed case. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction?

Thanks a lot,
Andrew G.

[Funkstar]

Thats going to be tough. You might find you run out of depth in the case, most seperates styles PC case are a lot deaper than regular HiFi equipment.

Even if you get it to fit, you will beed to produce a new backplate with the holes/cutouts for expansion cards and the ATX port block. Might be an idea to cut that section out of an old case and weld it into place on the AV reciever. Then you have to worry about the position of the mounting posts for the motherboard.

I'm not saying it can't be done, i'm sure others have done it, but it is going to be a *lot* of work.

[MSIC]

Agreed - its something that i have seen from time to time around the web (will try to find some links) but you are basically talking about 'modding', and a good start is bit-tech.
Modding is a hobby and (from a certain perspective) very cool, but it's not cheap (you need tools, soldering stuff etc etc and sometimes non-standard parts), not easy (unless you know what you are doing), and not quick (some people take many weeks or months on a project to get it right).
But it is individual. I must admit to being tempted myself, but dont kid yourself to it being an easy option.

OK, here are some links:
For general HTPC ideas/cases, look here 1 2 3 4.
A self-built HTPC.
Another at Extremetech.
This at PCW might be what you really want to read though

[Pie_uk]

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/Article_HTPC.html

read it

[tinners]

why not use the silverstone lc11 / lc02 plenty small enough if you have m-atx mobo?
If not there are plenty of small height cases out there. Not sure how your thermal performance will be with a non PC case. Youll have to work out fan placement etc & mod case yourself. Why bother ?

[Funkstar]

If you really want the look of the AV Reciever as opposed to any HTPC style case, then you might be better getting an HTPC case and transplanting the front of the Reciever to it insteadt of trying to fit a PC inside the old case.

If you are trying to save money....forget it! this will end up more expensive.

[squishty.wibble]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. Some of the links given I had already seen (the PCW one, for example) and some of them I hadnt, so it was all very helpful and much appreciated.

Firstly, does anyone really pay over £400 for a case?

Secondly, I think there has been a lot of confusion over why I am planning to do this the way I am. I think the best answer I can give to that is because I want to experiment with it, I want to see if I can really do it. Price is not really the issue, nor is the hard work - I just want the satisfaction (assuming it goes well) of completing it. I think thats why a lot of these things start - someone decides to do something that'll cost more money and be more hard work, for no apparent reason.

I'm hoping to move house shortly in any case, so I will be delaying this project for another month. as there doesnt seem to be any mainstream detailed instructions, I guess i'll go it alone! :-)

Thanks a lot again for all yuor responses people, it is much appreciated!!
Andrew G.