PC case-building components

[M0nkeyb0Y]

All,

I may never do it, but I'm thinking of placing my case inside my desk and was wondering where people shop for components round here.

I'm thinking I'd need:

1x motherboard tray
1x power button
1x reset button
1x HDD cage
1x 5.25" cage
1x PSU cage (although I could sure bodge something here)

Where would I buy these things?

Also please let me know if there's anything that I've very obviously missed out/not thought about!

[moogle]

Mobo tray you can buy a Lian Li one.
Power switches I can only think of getting Vandal switches, but they do look nicer
They work as power and reset switches.

HDD cage I suppose you could buy a ready made one.

[M0nkeyb0Y]

Mobo tray you can buy a Lian Li one.
Power switches I can only think of getting Vandal switches, but they do look nicer
They work as power and reset switches.

HDD cage I suppose you could buy a ready made one.

Thanks - I could just try ripping pieces out of my P180 too.

[moogle]

Thanks - I could just try ripping pieces out of my P180 too.

You could. I think on cheap cases where the mobo tray is sort of riveted on you could drill them out and use that if you have such cases lying around.

You could always make your own tray from a piece of mdf or wood or something

Where will you put your CD drive

Planning to put a front USB/Audio port like the front of most cases have? You can also buy the Lian Li one at Kustom PC's should you want to.

I'd recommend downloading Sketchup and doing the layout in that. It'd help you visualize things and get the right measurements for stuff that you want.

Great for modding it is

[Pob255]

the idea of sticking the pc into a desk draw would work, esp if you have one of the deep "file storage" draws
You could buy a cheap £20 case and rip that apart for bits, although it's really only motherboard tray, and that's not massively important.

Some decent buttons would be good to make it look nice from the outside.

If I remember correctly pc buttons (power & reset) are just momentary switches.
i.e. press button and connection is made between the two wires, release the button and connection is ended.

http://cpc.farnell.com/ is great for odd computer bits and electronic components.

[Webby]

Yeah, gutting a cheap case would be a good way of getting cages and motherboard tray etc. You will even get the switches, front panel ports and switches you need. £20 will get you something usable.

As Moogle said get Sketchup and use it to have a play around with different set ups can make life a lot easier to visualise and plan. Its very easy to use as well which is a bonus.

[mycarsavw]

I've been using Sketchup for about three months now planning something similar, only I've got the desk to make as well as the drawer

I've got about 8 designs, so many ideas, but I never get past the planning stages.

I just need to get on and do it

[M0nkeyb0Y]

I've been using Sketchup for about three months now planning something similar, only I've got the desk to make as well as the drawer

I've got about 8 designs, so many ideas, but I never get past the planning stages.

I just need to get on and do it

I took your last sentence as literal advice, and now have a desk with some pretty shoddy holes in it...! Will start a project log soon, as need advice.

Ordered a vandal white led switch from Kustom PC for about £9, CPC (who are great and I've used before) had them at marginally better prices, but all the LEDs were pretty garrish colours.

Thanks guys