How to Make a Computer Case

Building your own computer case can be a fun and rewarding process, which, if done properly can be very impressive and contain functionality beyond off the shelf cases.

Get the required components for the internals of the system: Motherboard, power supply, processor, memory, hard drive, video card, etc... You are the designer, make the system work for your personal needs by using I/O components which meet your needs and desires.

Buy a motherboard tray to fix your components to.

Use the components to design your case around; or if you would like, find components to fit your case design.

Envision the final design, make templates, and mold into the final design based on the physical hardware dimensions. Metals, plastics, corrugated cardboard, wood, and many other considerations for materials for the case may be considered. Remember to find the appropriate adhesives and hardware to build your case to ensure quality and durability.

Take your design and construct it out of the final materials. Using saws, grinders, Dremel cutters, Exacto knives, sanders, and the tools available to you which are appropriate for the material, cut and build the pieces to your case.

Fire up your machine and install an OS.

Tips

• Consider if you would like to use this machine for a specific purpose; such as a home server, video game console, a media center, workstation, or a personal computer. Allow for this choice to help decide the hardware avenue you wish to take for ease of use of the end user.
• Innovative use of switches, LED's, displays, and lights make your machine unique and perhaps friendlier interaction between the user and the computer.
• Cooling of the CPU can be done with either a fan, a heat sink, water-pumped tubing or other methods; remember the specifications of the hardware elements and fall within these tolerances to avoid system failure.
• One of the most common problems when creating a personal, custom-designed case is cooling. It is necessary to ensure that a proper and efficient cooling procedure is installed to avoid overheating which may result in damaging the computer parts. It is possible to use regular and appropriate computer fans, water cooling systems or be creative! Make and invent your own cooling system for your case!

Warnings

• Cutting materials can create debris, use eye wear and other necessary protection.
• Work in a well-ventilated area when using some adhesives and paints; follow manufacturer instructions for the best application techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Construction materials, such as: sheet metal, wood, plastics, etc...
• Adhesive and fastening materials: screws, cable ties, etc...
• Tools for construction: drills, Dremel and bits, saws, sandpaper, knives, etc...
• Hardware components for your system
• Operating system