Building Your Own Case - 2023 Edition

[BigAl01]

I'm looking for some new case design ideas for a build in the summer to fall of 2023.  I have a few ideas of items that could be used to house computer components, such as an old Klipsch subwoofer or perhaps an old cooler from the Boy Scout days of the 1990s.  I feel confident in modding an existing device, but not so much in constructing a new case out of wood or things of this nature.  I like the 'appliance' idea, but it would help to have lots of suggestions from fellow modders.  Below is that old subwoofer I mentioned, which would just barely be big enough to house a micro-ATX motherboard and a graphics card.  Where the woofer is currently located, I would probably apply a wire mesh to help with ventilation.

Do you have some ideas for me to consider?  Keep in mind that I have several months to think about this.  If there is an idea that sounds good to me but I don't have the item on hand, then it will take time to find it - that's one reason to start thinking about this now.

It would be a tight fit, but this subwoofer might work.

[BigAl01]

I will probably get a PSU that's on sale, but the ideal one still hasn't presented itself.

As for the video card, I want an RGB card and maybe this 7900XT is close to the best choice.  I doubt that I'll be buying another card to upgrade it when the next series comes out.  What do you guys know about the 7900 XT cards?  Any thermal issues with these?

The Red Devil series has been very good to me in the past.

[BigAl01]

I fitted the glass to the case to make sure it fits.  This will be a nice build when I’m done.

 

[BigAl01]

I bought a 7900 XT for $750 from Amazon today.  I'm still thinking about the PSU, which needs to be an ATX 3.0 unit.

Sapphire 11323-02-20G Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT Gaming Graphics Card with 20GB GDDR6, AMD RDNA 3 

The following day the rebate went from $50 down to $20! Timing is everything.

[johnnyenglish]

Oh man.. I sure hope you can get well soon.

That really looks intensive.

That is why (sometimes) we need to do what we like to do. We never know what life can throw at us.

[BigAl01]

I also bought 3 case fans yesterday, the same type as in the AIO cooler.  Today I just ordered the PSU, so that's just about all the hardware stuff.  Some other things I've ordered for this build will be revealed at a later date.  Don't you like surprises?

These fans match the AIO cooler fans. I finally made up my mind about the PSU. $291 is a lot of money for a PSU in my book.

[petosiris]

@BigAl01,

Your build seems to be near completion. Congrats! Did you remember to buy dust filters with the case fans?

[BigAl01]

Dust filters on an open case?  No, there won't be any dust filters.

The video card should arrive today.  The PSU should arrive tomorrow.  But my OS comes next week.  That's ok, I still have lots of things to do and consider with this build.  It will have a theme.

[petosiris]

@BigAl01,

I see.  I didn't realize the case would be open.  I thought you'd add glass panels or something.
About the OS.  I guess you're installing Windows 11?  You can buy a legit/valid Windows 11 Pro key cheap online, but you probably knew that already.

[BigAl01]

I don't go for the Windows 11 key online.  I order the USB stick with Windows 11 on it and call it a day.  I don't believe buying that key is legitimate in all perspectives.  In any case, I'm still waiting for the video card to arrive today.  Yesterday I did get the AIO and the extra fans partially installed.

This AIO has longer tubes to reach further, not that I needed that with this build. I'll need to think about some protection of the front fans (we have cats in the house); the radiator will be covered with the back panel that has air holes.

[petosiris]

@BigAl01,

Wouldn't a steel/aluminium mesh fan grill help to keep the cats away from the fans?  I don't know if you can find a 120x340mm type, but 3x 120mm would also fit, I think.