Ok... so I have this idea I want to share with all of you. I recently purchased a Dell XPS 420.
Now I know you are all aghast to that comment so let me address your "WTF" real quick. I bought it to serve as my HTPC. I had little choice on the matter since I needed the ATI cable tuners in order to have access to HD and subscriber content. Over the air HD content isn't even remotely sufficient. So Dell's XPS 420 is on the list of systems certified by cable labs to fully use the ATI cable tuner. I would have loved to build my own system, but it wouldn't have been worth it if all I could watch was degraded basic cable.
So anyways, about my idea. Although this Dell case is actually quite attractive, there is just so much more to be done with a case these days. I have a vision of a home made HTPC case that is as absolutely flat as possible and hangs on the wall almost as if to be a piece of art. Considering who is writing this post, water cooling should not really be a question on your mind... plus it would pretty much be a requirement for a case this thin. I would only require 2 cables be running from it, a power cable and a HDMI cable. Obviously the power supply is what poses the biggest obstacle, but the more I think about it, I think the PSU's girth could actually be incorporated as an asset and increase functionality of the case from the user side. So imagine a shadowbox type of enclosure about 2.5 to 3 inches thick. All the PCB components would be laid flat. The center of attention would be the motherboard obviously. Below it would be the video card mounted flat to the back of the case and connected by a ribbon cable riser device (thanks for the find Mark
). The HDDs and cable tuners would be mounted above the MB with all wiring run exposed but with razor neatness. At the very bottom of the case the PSU would require additional thickness, obviously. For this I would exploit the space and mount the XPS's sideshow screen, power button, light toggles, card reader and BD ROM in the wider area. Externally this area would make a sort of shelf that would be perfect for setting an IPod/IPhone on and perhaps some sort of geeky trinket (like a ridiculously polished CPU or sumpin'
). At the very upper portion of the case would be a radiator/ran/grill setup most likely semi flush with the rest of the case. Something like Koolance's
EHX-1020 with shroud.
The case would be of metal construction on the chassis with thick Plexiglas dominating the large front panel, thus displaying everything. Subtle indirect cathode or LED lighting would gently illuminate things.
I know it's hard to visualize it with only words to go on, I'll try to draw up a sketch while at work tonight.
What are your thoughts and what potential pitfalls do you foresee?
Looks like a good project: lot's to do.
