[tadka]

I’ve now have everything I need to finish this case. I think. Still haven’t decided how/where I am going to fit the the fan. But I should be able to have it all working once it’s assembled.

There is only one thing that is bugging me – the grounding. In the end I decided all components are going to be attached directly to the wood. The only contact they are going to have between each other are the cables. PSU to the motherboard, PSU to the video card, video card to the motherboard and so on. I tried googling but there are many conflicting answers and as electricity is not my thing I can’t work out what is the right answer.

Do you guys think I should run a wire between the PSU and all the screws that will be holding the motherboard and the video card attached to the side of that plywood? Or is that unnecessary? I can’t quite understand why circuits would need grounding. But like I said, electricity is not my thing. ?

[tadka]

Boris wrote:

Only just realised you are using a socket 775 motherboard for this new build. If so, what CPU does it have ? – I have a good selection if they are better than what it is currently running ?

Thanks Boris. This PC is a dinosaur. You are not the first one to offer me better stuff 🙂 But it’s doing the job adequately for my needs so I can’t be bother to do any upgrades. I’ve got a C2Q 2.4GHz (Q6600) that someone on here donated me a few years back (I had a C2D prior). I’ll leave it as it is for now until one day I start feeling the need to build myself something new 🙂

[tadka]

One more question guys.

The PCI Express x16 cable is gen 3.

My PCI Express x16 I think is gen 1.

Will the cable be backwards compatible?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PCI-Express-16x-Flexible-Card-Cable-Extension-Port-Adapter-High-Speed-Riser-Card/143241283413?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/P35_Neo2FR__FIR/Specification

 

[tadka]

Boris wrote:

tadka wrote:

I got these electrical screws for this job as they are the perfect thickness but I can’t find any nuts for them. Any of you know what nuts go on those electrical screws? There are some M3.5 nuts online but it doesn’t say anything about the thread. Any ideas?

M3.5 is the thread. If those screws are M3.5 the nuts will be fine.

Thanks Boris, in that case I’ll order some  🙂

[tadka]

Ed P wrote:

A silly question – why do you need a case if the whole thing is fixed under your desk? Other than the PSU (which should be cased) all the other components are low voltage and just need a bit of protection from being knocked.

Like you said, to protect it from me kicking it and also I’ll paint it white (the same as the wall) so it blends in and is less conspicuous. This design will have the cables going to the sides which should allow me to hide them behind the drawer cabinets. I’m going for a nice clean look.

[tadka]

The case has started to take shape.

I will be taking Duke’s advice and use a cable for the gfx card. But I need to screw the gfx card to the case. I got these electrical screws for this job as they are the perfect thickness but I can’t find any nuts for them. Any of you know what nuts go on those electrical screws? There are some M3.5 nuts online but it doesn’t say anything about the thread. Any ideas?

 

[tadka]

PlaneMan wrote:

Bog standard SIM. You can use whatever one you want.

But what about calls and texts? They have no mention of them.

Some years ago I used to connect my PC to my mobile and use the data for the internet and even play games. Wasn’t great but it did the job. Then mobile phone companies caught on and did something to stop it. They somehow knew when the data was being used by a PC and blocked it. I think I had a discussion going about it on the old MM forum. There was a “hack” to over come it but I didn’t use it so I guess it wasn’t that great a solution.

I’m just wondering if they now ok with PCs using data through phones or those are data only SIMs.

It be great if I just plug in my phone into the computer and use the data for the internet. No need to pay for BB.

[tadka]

I take it it’s a different SIM card to those for mobile phones? I mean I can’t use it in my phone when I’m out and about and as MiFi when I’m at home?

[tadka]

Went to a few phone shops this morning. The phones I liked were Samsung S10E, Huawei P20 Pro and Huwei P30. All at least £400 on eBay. Way more than I want to spend. Moto G7 looks a bit cheap but to be honest it should not matter to me. I will have to go again and have another look at the Huawei Honor phones.

[tadka]

I’m liking your suggestions Duke. I didn’t know a gfx extension cables was a thing. Will look into it. It should make things easier. And velcro might come in handy too.

[tadka]

Bob & wasbit, thanks for your generous offers but I have all the components, I just need things to hold them inside my wooden case. I’m waiting for Dave to send the bits so I can start engineering it.

Dave, I’ll pm you my work address. It’s probably easier for you to send it first and then invoice me later.

 

[tadka]

Dave Rice wrote:

I don’t have a box and I’m not expecting to order anything of an appropriate size soon, but I have large sturdy plastic mailing bags and plenty of bubble wrap. The drive cage is very thin mild steel so I’m going to look at carefully folding it flat.

<hr />

That’s fine Dave, if the drive cage can be separated do so, I’ll have to do it anyway.

[tadka]

So if they close it where do you dump all the stuff you don’t need?

[tadka]

Dave Rice wrote:

I was thinking you could attach the motherboard tray to the case then mount the motherboard on it. That would get around the grounding issues.

That was my initial plan when I started thinking about this. Once I got it all here in my hands to look at I’ll figure something out.

[tadka]

Les, thanks for the info. Definitely something to look into. Maybe line the inside with foil. I don’t want to use a proper case purely for the looks. I want it painted white so it’s inconspicuous as possible.

Actually, I just remembered, I’ve had my computer case open for many years now. A friend did say to me once that I am frying my brain but I was sceptical. Don’t know if my brain has been fried but I haven’t had any other issues. But I will be looking into this nonetheless. Especially the grounding of the motherboard.

Dave, I think some of what you have there can be used for this. Those drive cages should work nicely. Would you mind slinging it all in a box posting it to me?

You can send me a money request to PayPal (tadaska2000@yahoo.co.uk) to cover the cost. Or I can do a bank transfer if it’s preferable.

keith with the teef, I’m a bit busy next week but I’m hoping to get the base board cut out of plywood tomorrow. Bought some thin bolts for the motherboard already. I’ll definitely post some pics once I have made a bit of progress.

[tadka]

I will PlaneMan 🙂 Thanks

[tadka]

Thanks Dave, I was going to look through some computer cases at the local tip but they just would not let me have any of it. And since a coworker got tracked down and received a penalty for taking something from there I decided not to risk taking anything without their permission.

[tadka]

I used to deliver pizzas in various locations around London when still young. The inhumanity I’ve seen in some of those estates… You need a Fort Knox.

[tadka]

tadka wrote:

Good idea Wheels Of Fire, It could actually be a very simple but effective solution. Though a camera or two might be needed too. The door frames are week timber and I would not be surprised if one of the yobos would decide to open it permanently with a good kick to the door. I spoke to one lady just earlier and she said one of the residents in the block used to chase them out and had his windows smashed. Though I don’t know when that was. I was told this neighbourhood used to be much rougher not that long ago. Maybe the frame could be reinforced with some metal. I’ll have to try and get to meet the block in charge of supervising the maintenance. He should be able to do something like that.

Thanks Bob,

All advice is welcome, I did wonder if I could get a workman to do something. Will see how it goes, maybe we will come up with something cheap(ish) but effective.

[tadka]

Good idea Wheels Of Fire,

It could actually be a very simple but effective solution.

Though a camera or two might be needed too. The door frames are week timber and I would not be surprised if one of the yobos would decide to open it permanently with a good kick to the door. I spoke to one lady just earlier and she said one of the residents in the block used to chase them out and had his windows smashed. Though I don’t know when that was. I was told this neighbourhood used to be much rougher not that long ago. Maybe the frame could be reinforced with some metal. I’ll have to try and get to meet the block in charge of supervising the maintenance. He should be able to do something like that.

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