I need a hardened case that can be shipped via

[Madpup]

Fedex or take a ride as checked baggage without dumping all the board at the bottom of the case. I demo software for a living and my Dell 530's "tool free" features turn it into a workstation kit after a ride on USAir. I'm getting tired of having to re-build my system in front of prospective customers.

Any suggestions?

 

[EdipisReks]

any sturdy case that isn't tool less (ie, it requires screws for the cards) should be fine.

 

[everman]

Ya just something that uses screws all over, you can even use thumb screws. You should remove the heatsink from the cpu during shipping like that though to be safe. Although if it's screwed on also I suppose that would be ok.

 

[amdskip]

The smaller the case, the stiffer it will be and the more abuse it should handle. You may want a screw on heatsink or just remove it.

 

[amcdonald]

Even a screwed in heatsink would make me nervous... if you have any idea how people in shipping handle packages you'd be hesitant to ship ANYTHING important without heavy precaution. I've had friends at ups and heard from fedex people, and people literally throw boxes around... doesn't matter how many times it says fragile on the box. airports are the same way typically. it all depends on the person handling the box.
for reliability, secure everything within the case... I would buy a mid/mini atx steel comp. Steel because the heavier it is to a certain extent, the less likely it is that someone will throw it. Also aluminum and cheap steels could crush/bend under chance circumstances.
The MB and light pci cards could be left installed along with whatever drives you have securely screwed in. put the HSF and possibly the video card (depending on how heavy it is) in heavy bubblewrap and secure them within the case however you can (duct tape ). you could seal the hsf into the 3x5 bay for instance.
Also, If you are considering transferring the dell parts into another case you'll have to take form factor into account.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Nods... Most motherboards can not withstand the amount of torque that can be placed on them by a heavy heatsink when the case changes momentum. If you got to leave the heatsink on, then you are going to need a very light heatsink that securely mounts to the motherboard, preferably with some type of retention mechanism.