Creative and Interesting DIY PC Cases: You Can Create Too

In the early days of Google, the massive amount of storage that was required to analyze the structure of the World Wide Web was stored in a custom PC case made from Lego! It’s been 16 years since this device has been in use, yet PC makers are still spending money on new cases where it’s fairly easy to build your own from scratch using a variety of methods and materials.

Don’t have Lego in your house? No problem — maybe you have a trash can or an old stereo that can be destroyed. However, if you’re looking for a good long-term project, why not try building your PC case out of wood? The end result can be very impressive, although you may run into some problems with a noisier-than-usual computer.

The following projects are the perfect starting point for any experienced PC builder.

Assembling a PC case from Lego

Lego is a somewhat obvious choice for building your own PC, but let’s face it, if it works, why not use it?

There is something satisfying about the successful completion of a Lego project, after all, and with the use of popular plastic bricks, both the supporting structure and the PC case have proven to be a popular choice. You will find many examples of Lego cases online that use any other brick color that is available or designed with an impressive blocky, almost 8-bit mosaic finish style.

PC cases

If you are planning to use Lego to build your own PC If so, you’ll find that there are many useful types of bricks you can use, from window frames and «fences» for vents to the various blank bricks that are used in Lego as «glass».

For structure, do not rely on narrow bricks; Instead, design your case to use wider types of bricks, those with 2 x 3 or 2 x 4 pegs. Offering more support, these pieces also look more like real bricks. Flat elements in the form of «plates» should also be used in those areas of the hull where additional structural support is required.

Whether you want to build a standard tower for media, gaming, or an impressive server farm, Lego is a great choice of materials! (Note that you will probably need to glue the bricks for successful long term use.)

Cannibalization of household items

Around your home, you can find various items that can be used for PC building projects, even if they don’t seem right at first glance.

Given that an old programming box can house a small ITX motherboard, you should find that discarded stereos, DVD players, game consoles, and even trash cans can be used to house your motherboard, hard drive, and power supply, as well as any additional storage for items you find useful.

There are the same practical considerations for using your own materials to make a PC case as it is for using household items and standard cases. The air flow must be optimal for cooling, which means that the ability to open the case is extremely important. Equally important, the internal components must be insulated from any metal in the case; The case must also be grounded if there is conductive material.

cybernetic computer

Cybernetics — embedding digital and mechanical components into naturally growing objects — has been a scientific dream (or nightmare for some) for years. While you can’t yet mount a Blu-ray drive to your lower torso, you can use nature’s own building material, wood.

mod for pc

Combining a classic old-world look with modern sleek lines of DVD drives and digital readers, PC cases made from wood take a lot of planning, but look stunning and oddly unobtrusive when finished.

The temperature in wooden crates usually stays within limits, aided by airflow and the wood’s natural ability to dissipate heat.

One problem you may have with a wooden case is noise; the resonance of wood (a key aspect of its use in musical instrument construction) can cause fans, drives, and power supplies to be louder than in a standard case. However, the use of foam padding, felt strips, and other absorbent materials can counteract this.

The power of good planning

As with any home building project, planning is vital to a successful project.

PC cases