Intel Mini ATX build ideas

[Kulverstukas]

I have a spare desktop computer, which was used at home before buying a laptop, it has an Intel Mini-ATX board in it, very small and cute I don't want to throw it out, it's sitting in a corner gathering dust. I'd like to use it as a NAS instead of the Rpi for more flexibiity and speed, but I can't have it in a standard case where it is now. My idea is to put it all into a small and sleek case, so that it's as small as it can be. Best if I could power it from a 12v/24v power adapter as well... basically like a set-top box.

Problem is that I can't find any such project articles to follow, or even cases to buy... for cases I could make one from acrylic glass, it's not a big problem.

Any thoughts on what cool shit I could make from a Mini ATX computer?

[dimi]

Set it up as a nas with openmediavault (i am told freenas is much more difficult to recover in case of a crash), make it a htpc if hdmi connection, make a game emulator for old games?
A small server for vpn or file server?
Plenty of possibilities 😃

[Kulverstukas]

Set it up as a nas with openmediavault (i am told freenas is much more difficult to recover in case of a crash), make it a htpc if hdmi connection, make a game emulator for old games?
A small server for vpn or file server?
Plenty of possibilities 😃

I am aware of the possibilities, currently having some on my raspberry NAS, and I think I won't be replacing raspberry with this as NAS, because it's enough what rpi gives. Anyway, the question was more about cool shit aside from NAS and I was asking where could I get a cool, small, sleek case for this.

Edit: Well looks like GameEx is pretty damn sweet, I might build an emulator machine... just need a proper case for it

[sakthibruce]

May be this helps http://www.newegg.com/HTPC-Media-Center-Cases/SubCategory/ID-690.. But better stick with acrylic case I feel u can build for less money and it will give lots of fun

[Kulverstukas]

May be this helps http://www.newegg.com/HTPC-Media-Center-Cases/SubCategory/ID-690.. But better stick with acrylic case I feel u can build for less money and it will give lots of fun

It is still too large. I am talking about cases like BareBone computers have... as small as a hard drive enclosure (not AS small but you get the point )

[sakthibruce]

check this http://www.ebay.com/itm/GigaByte-TA7-Mini-PC-Barebone-Thin-Client-w-Mini-ITX-GA-C7V7-RH-motherboard-/272119999092?hash=item3f5b9daa74:g:9BUAAOSwKtlWrPlP

and this too http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=mini+itx+case&_frs=1

[Kulverstukas]

Sorry, the board is Mini-ITX, to be correct and I got an idea - I'll assemble it all into a briefcase, it will contain the monitor, all the computer insides and all of required remotes should also fit in there

[iTpHo3NiX]

Kulver, build a tabletop MAME arcade. Legitness

http://instructables.com/id/2-Player-Bartop-Arcade-Machine-Powered-by-Pi/

Make it a little bigger and use the mini atx, build the housing into the base. Nice little ipac board some buttons and a joystick. I always wanted to build a name cabinet. Also include n64 slots and emulator. Would be very epic

[Kulverstukas]

That involves a lot of tools I don't have and resources which are too expensive for this project IMO I like gaming, but not that much lol. I believe the briefcase build would be pretty sweet as well

[proxx]

That involves a lot of tools I don't have and resources which are too expensive for this project IMO I like gaming, but not that much lol. I believe the briefcase build would be pretty sweet as well

Get one of those aluminium briefcase and use that these are easy to work with when it comes to modifications, use the lid for some old TFT screen, something I always sorta planned on doing, mainly because its kewl , other than that it becomes semi portable which can be useful.
Ofcourse you will have to consider airflow or use a big ass passive cooler which would be much more suitable in this case.
You could build a gateway/firewall with AP or something like that, install SQUID+adzapper/caching DNS server perhaps use it as a openVPN or IPSEC box to be able to connect to your home network etc.