360 into a PC case

[mindcycle]

So i'm first and foremost a PC gamer but I recently picked up a 360 for cheap. The main problem with the thing was that it got damn noisy after awhile. There are two 60mm fans that get super loud when they kick into high gear. I bought the 360 for GTA 4 pretty much, and it seemed to kick into high gear a couple minutes after I started playing. I play at my desk so the noise was unbearable for me since the 360 sits within a few feet of my head. I had to play with headphones to hear anything.

So that initially sparked this project. I decided to throw the 360 into an old PC case I had lying around and make it as close to a PC as possible. It runs off an ATX power supply, it has standard VGA and RCA hookups on the back as well as USB. Below are some pics.

http://www.mindcyclestudios.com/xbox-pics/xbc7.jpg
http://www.mindcyclestudios.com/xbox-pics/xbc10.jpg
http://www.mindcyclestudios.com/xbox-pics/xbc12.jpg
http://www.mindcyclestudios.com/xbox-pics/xbc13.jpg

I detailed the entire build process if anyone is interested: http://forums.llamma.com/viewtopic.php?t=21342

Oh, and i'm not trying to start any sort of PC vs 360 debate. I just thought you guys might enjoy seeing this. It was pretty fun to build.

 

[ViviTheMage]

hahaha, that'll void warranty :thumbsup:

 

[dlock13]

That looks hideous.

 

[Soundmanred]

Originally posted by: dlock13
That looks hideous.

Wow, seconded.
Yikes.

 

[mindcycle]

haha, yes i've been told that many times already. The case is from '96.. The functionally and noise level is what's more important to me.

 

[TehMac]

smart move.

You voided the warranty BUT, you might not even need to collect on it considering that any old ATX with a decent size fan will keep that shit cooled down.

 

[mrblotto]

very creative! If playing the 360 involved looking at it, then I would say wtf. But it doesn't. No need to worry about the looks then.

 

[MustISO]

LianLi makes a case for the 360 now. It's too expensive IMO but still a good idea.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: MustISO
LianLi makes a case for the 360 now. It's too expensive IMO but still a good idea.

The Lian LI case was actually one of the inspirations for my own case. But for mine I wanted to add "PC like" capabilities, like the ATX PS and the VGA port.

It is sorta ugly still, but if you saw it in person it's not really "that" bad. Before I painted it, yeah, it was pretty gnarly looking. Click the link in the first post if you're interested in seeing how it looked originally..

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: TehMac
smart move.

You voided the warranty BUT, you might not even need to collect on it considering that any old ATX with a decent size fan will keep that shit cooled down.

I bought it used with the warranty sticker already removed. So no worries there. The fans definitely keep it cool, so I don't foresee any major problems. "Keeping my fingers crossed"

 

[CKent]

Is the heat problem really that bad with the xbox?

 

[Modular]

Originally posted by: CKent
Is the heat problem really that bad with the xbox?

Fuck yeah. It's the main reason for the RROD (Red Ring of Death)