Building a PC WITHOUT a PC Case

[sup2jzgte05]

Now I know this is going to sound like its coming WAYYYYYY out of left field and all, but it is just an idea.

Is it possible to build a PC inside of something other than a PC case, like say a drawer, or will there be problems?

The reason why I ask is because I have no room on top of my desk for a PC, but I have 3 HUGE unused drawers.

 

[X2Xtreme360]

Well of course it can be done provided you have good cooling and a way to access everything, like everything at the back of the mobo like PCI cards, video cards, mouse, keyboard. Kind of a weird spot to put a PC, but I've seen cases made out of cardboard boxes. I would get external devices like your HDD and CD ROM drives as they would look nicer but you could just set internal components on the drawer or something. Also make sure nothing will short circuit because of any bare metal that may be lying around. And make sure no one's gonna throw stuff in the drawer and dont let it fall out, but you prolly already knew that.

I can't think of a hazardous reason why you couldn't do that, but if anyone does, speak up... I don't want him to f*** himself.

 

[sup2jzgte05]

What I was going to do is coat the drawer in Anti Static film for the static. Cut front slots for the Roms and instead of using Metal brackets I would use Plastic custom made ones. There would be 2 big exhaust fans in the rear part of the drawer, and 2 intake fans in front.

 

[sup2jzgte05]

Ok some people just have to much time on their hands


http://www.mini-itx.com/

 

[Nitestick]

the first thing that came to my mind when i read this is that you may be able to adapt a 1ru or 2ru rack mount case to fit in the drawer. perhaps worth looking into

 

[julz]

Haha building a computer without a case...hmm that's actually quite interesting. I've never heard of anybody trying that before. If you end up doing it successfully, let us know!

 

[macdude425]

I've done it before.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/triviawiz425/DCFC0035.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/triviawiz425/DCFC0029.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/triviawiz425/DCFC0025.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/triviawiz425/DCFC0027.jpg

Masking tape held the components, except the mobo, in place. I used these little bracket like things to hold the mobo to the bottom of the case. A screwdriver was the power button; I just touched the screwdriver to the proper power pins, and off it went.

Worked rather well, too.

 

[yoshiemaster]

lol, i loved your case mac dude. i had my dad's computer just sitting on a desk without a case for like a month, but i didn't have the initiative to find a cardboard box to put it in.

 

[Ethereal_Dragon]

Ok some people just have to much time on their hands


http://www.mini-itx.com/

I have been visiting mini-itx for some years now... very interesting builds in there, many without traditional computer cases.