Custom Computer Case

[infamoustrey]

Hello there!

I was curious if someone could direct me to where I might get a hold of some parts for a custom case.

The thing I need is primarily the front controller. I have done some internet research. Perhaps I am looking for the wrong thing. I cannot find a good front controller that also has basics, power switch, reset, pw led, hdd led, etc..

I would greatly appreciate it, thanks all!

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Find an old computer on the curb side, take its control panel. The buttons and lights are all low voltage, you can use LED'S from a car alarm. They all use mini Molex 2 pin plugs, you can buy second hand on Flee Bay, etc.

Also suppliers carry these as well, like Performance PC ETC.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Case-Accessories-Tool-Kits-/51064/i.html

 

[infamoustrey]

Alrighty, can't believe I didn't think of that. Thanks for the links, Cheers!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If you're building a completely custom case, you can design your own bezel too maybe?

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-BEZELWRKIT-Case-Front-Bezel/dp/B00213KDQK

 

[BonzaiDuck]

If you're building a completely custom case, you can design your own bezel too maybe?

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-BEZELWRKIT-Case-Front-Bezel/dp/B00213KDQK

Wow. Thanks, dave. I didn't know they actually sold kits like that, or that Startech made them.

The LEDs and wire can be replaced from scratch -- materials you can find at the local electronics "warehouse" or "jobber" outlet. In our town, such a place is located right next door to a metals supplier. At the metals supplier, you can buy tools such as tap-and-die kits, airplane shears, drills and bits and other more common items. You can also get aluminum or steel bars in various widths, lengths and thicknesses (see the supports for the 3.5" double-casters in the project pictures below); "perf"-steel and perf-aluminum -- commonly called "modders' mesh;" and of course sheet-steel and sheet-aluminum without the "perf".

Other places online also offer an even wider assortment of LEDs.

Here's the time-consuming project I could just as easily bury from sight, but it was a great success -- actually:

Before:
http://webpages.charter.net/psywar_sentinel/Proliant_exterior.jpg

After:
http://webpages.charter.net/psywar_sentinel/Preview%20Glimpse.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/psywar_sentinel/chrome window.jpg

I simply used the LEDs of the original ProLiant case, but added my own red LEDs for each of the four RAID5 HDDs -- offering a nice "piano-key" effect when the drives were working.

You can always buy wire-rolls of the right gauge to replace the usual case-to-motherboard wiring. And you can buy custom switches: In the ProLiant project, I used a chrome "airplane" toggle switch I'd bought at MNPC Tech:

http://mnpctech.com/

together with the heavy-duty aluminum case-top handles.

But you can always find a ten-year-old case-discard -- maybe at the recycler's -- which has the old wiring and LEDs. Seldom would you have any of those parts die, but LEDs are easily replaced, and even the switches.

With the 2007 ProLiant project, somebody gave me an IBM midtower case from an old Win 98 system. It had a clever removable power supply cage which just unlocked and popped out of the case. So I cut out the essential pieces of it, and installed it in the ProLiant.

 

[aigomorla]

frozencpu.com is also a great mod source.

 

[Micrornd]

frozencpu.com is also a great mod source.

You're kidding, right

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Frozen went under

 

[BonzaiDuck]

You're kidding, right

I wouldn't say that. It depends on what parts are offered, what you mean by "modding." Aigo is probably very familiar with "Frozen" because they sell a lot of radiators and water parts of different kinds. I've used them many times -- for this and that.

I would venture to say that "MNPCTech" probably provides a niche focus on case parts and bling.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Frozen went under

. . . . Anyway . . . their web-site is still there . . . . they're still "in bidnis" . . .

I've used Frozen, SidewinderComputers, Performance PCs, Cooler Guys. There had been another outfit called "Crazy PC" or something like that -- they definitely "went under."

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

. . . . Anyway . . . their web-site is still there . . . . they're still "in bidnis" . . .

I've used Frozen, SidewinderComputers, Performance PCs, Cooler Guys. There had been another outfit called "Crazy PC" or something like that -- they definitely "went under."

Well when I see threads this long with photo's of the place trashed I tend to assume.....................
http://www.overclock.net/t/1540656/official-frozencpu-shuts-its-doors

Back on topic
http://www.performance-pcs.com/

 

[dave_the_nerd]

. . . . Anyway . . . their web-site is still there . . . . they're still "in bidnis" . . .

I've used Frozen, SidewinderComputers, Performance PCs, Cooler Guys. There had been another outfit called "Crazy PC" or something like that -- they definitely "went under."

Read their website a bit:

 

[Micrornd]

I wouldn't say that. It depends on what parts are offered, what you mean by "modding." Aigo is probably very familiar with "Frozen" because they sell a lot of radiators and water parts of different kinds. I've used them many times -- for this and that.

. . . . Anyway . . . their web-site is still there . . . . they're still "in bidnis" . . .

I also used them for years, that's not the point.
The site has been inactive for over 2 months and no one really thinks the company will ever do business again.

Even if you don't keep up with current events (see old news below), at least read the front page at their web site.

Site down until further notice
February 21, 2015
FrozenCPU.com will not be taking new orders or processing pending orders for at least the next 30 days. We currently are attempting to hire new staff to get things moving again. We apologize for this inconvenience. - Mark Friga Jr.

All of this is 2 months old news, but nothing has changed, FrozenCpu is still not answering phones, fulfilling orders, or communicating with customers.
So recommending them is not in anyone's best interest at the present time.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1540656/official-frozencpu-shuts-its-doors

http://www.legitreviews.com/rumors-frozencpu-going-business-false_158452

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1851830

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw6LKjH-59U

I thought there was a thread here at anandtech.com also, but I can't find it now.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I also used them for years, that's not the point.
The site has been inactive for over 2 months and no one really thinks the company will ever do business again.

Even if you don't keep up with current events (see old news below), at least read the front page at their web site.


All of this is 2 months old news, but nothing has changed, FrozenCpu is still not answering phones, fulfilling orders, or communicating with customers.
So recommending them is not in anyone's best interest at the present time.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1540656/official-frozencpu-shuts-its-doors

http://www.legitreviews.com/rumors-frozencpu-going-business-false_158452

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1851830

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw6LKjH-59U

I thought there was a thread here at anandtech.com also, but I can't find it now.

Geez! "Battle with addiction?!" I have a "hardware addiction" problem, but it wouldn't pose a problem to me for owning that business. There must be some bizarre story behind all of this.

IN more general terms, I have a suspicion that similar specialty resellers aren't doing "all that well," but they're not "out of business" yet.

Nothing to do but wait and see. After that, where we gonna buy our parts? Performance PCs? Sidewinder?

 

[Micrornd]

The photos in those threads seem to show someone was extremely upset :hmm:

I have used Performance-PC (and many other sites) before and since.
I never found anything that was absolutely unique to FrozenCPU, but their prices were better in some cases.
Don't be afraid to shop internationally and you'll find a greater selection and friendly service, in almost all cases.
After all business is business

 

[Ketchup]

Crazy times at frozencpu. Whether they are back in business or not, they aren't trying very hard to tell shoppers it's back open. And their website isn't doing a very good job of telling users that it would take forever to get an order, if at all.

OP, I wish you the best of luck, but if you are building a stadard-size case, I don't know that you would come out any better than just ordering something you like.