Building a PC out of a case?

[amheck]

Putting together my latest PC - an HTPC actually. I have most of the parts except for the case. Still undecided on that. I see a number of you actually install everything and get it up and running before putting the MB in a case. Is there anything special to know before doing something like this? Can you just set the MB on a table, along with all of the parts, and turn on the power supply? Is it that simple?

Aaron

 

[kitkat22]

Essentially yes. I believe the table is the safest spot to put the components as most tables are not electroconductive. (Is that even a word?) The floor is a bad choice, just think of all the times when you were younger putting on silk socks and zapping your siblings left and right. I would also stick the MOBO above the table so you don't scratch the thing

 

[russell2002]

Who needs a case...

comps look cool just sitting on a table.

 

[eXx08]

Originally posted by: russell2002
Who needs a case...

comps look cool just sitting on a table.

Hahaha, yea but some cases are sweet and with the LED's it makes it look even cooler.

-Bet that thing gets good cooling😎

 

[kitkat22]

Stick it under the AC and it most definitely will, but then again that jacks up the utility bills just a tad.

 

[cryptonomicon]

Originally posted by: amheck
Putting together my latest PC - an HTPC actually. I have most of the parts except for the case. Still undecided on that. I see a number of you actually install everything and get it up and running before putting the MB in a case. Is there anything special to know before doing something like this? Can you just set the MB on a table, along with all of the parts, and turn on the power supply? Is it that simple?

Aaron

yes, you can do this. i have made a case out of a pizza box before.


but honestly, when you set it up like this, be smart about it, like set the mobo on an antistatic pad and make sure you dont jar anything while operating as it will be in a very fragile state. also dont spill your drink on it.. keep away... hehe!

 

[CrispyFried]

Originally posted by: cryptonomicon

yes, you can do this. i have made a case out of a pizza box before.


but honestly, when you set it up like this, be smart about it, like set the mobo on an antistatic pad and make sure you dont jar anything while operating as it will be in a very fragile state. also dont spill your drink on it.. keep away... hehe!

Antistatic bags are conductive, it will short the mobo out. Just use cardboard.

 

[Nohr]

Simply turning on the PSU won't turn on the computer. You'll need to short the mobo power switch jumpers briefly with a screwdriver, or acquire a proper button on a wire to plug in to it.

 

[amheck]

Nohr, you're right. I ran into this problem just now, but I hadn't seen your post. Is it ok really to just touch the power switch pins with a screwdriver to get it to turn on?

 

[Nohr]

Yeah it's safe. Just be careful to only touch the pins with the screwdriver and nothing else.

 

[interchange]

If you turn off the 4-second hold-down shutoff in BIOS then you can just jumper the pins to always connected and actually use the PSU to turn it on/off. Much easier and safer than a screwdriver 😉.

 

[imported_whatever]

Originally posted by: cryptonomicon

Originally posted by: amheck
Putting together my latest PC - an HTPC actually. I have most of the parts except for the case. Still undecided on that. I see a number of you actually install everything and get it up and running before putting the MB in a case. Is there anything special to know before doing something like this? Can you just set the MB on a table, along with all of the parts, and turn on the power supply? Is it that simple?

Aaron

yes, you can do this. i have made a case out of a pizza box before.


but honestly, when you set it up like this, be smart about it, like set the mobo on an antistatic pad and make sure you dont jar anything while operating as it will be in a very fragile state. also dont spill your drink on it.. keep away... hehe!

For a while my system was spread out over a small section of my floor (mobo on its box though). One time, I spilled some water on the fan controller. As I dove for the power button, I heard the Tornado speed up to full speed... but after letting it dry off, it worked fine.

 

[theMan]

hahahaha, thats hilarious.

 

[duckdown]

Antistatic bags are conductive, it will short the mobo out. Just use cardboard.

not if you turn em inside out ;d