Personal Rig Update 2015 Part 2 - Designing a Case from Scratch
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Promos
Taran and I use Sketchup to design my new enthusiast-class 4U rackmountable case! Squarespace link: Visit squarespace.com and use offer code LINUS to save 10% off your first purchse! Cooler Master link: linustechtips.com Pricing & discussion: linustechtips.com Support us: linustechtips.com Join our community forum: bit.ly twitter.com @LinusTech Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com
The video documents a hands-on design phase for a new enthusiast-class rack mount PC case, undertaken by Linus and Taran. They begin by explaining that the project will be unusual for a Rig Update, since they are actually building a case from scratch rather than simply updating components. They decide to work with a 4U rack-mountable form factor to maintain portability and practicality, moving from concept to a concrete 3D model using SketchUp. The discussion covers why SketchUp is used, and how they translate real-world rack dimensions into a digital model, including considerations like overall height, width, and clearances for radiators and fans. They iterate on the layout, debating fan placement, radiator topology, and the balance between cooling performance and aesthetic clean lines, while acknowledging the collaborative input from Taran as essential to shaping the final design. The segment also highlights practical decisions, such as the shift from a dual-pump setup to a single pump and reservoir to achieve a clean, manufacturable look, and the plan to submit drawings to Protocase for fabrication, powder coating, and eventual delivery. The video emphasizes planning, testing with parts in SketchUp, and adjusting the design to ensure compatibility with future components like SSDs and PCIe storage, all while keeping the final product visually cohesive in Linus’s LT color scheme. The host also invites viewer engagement by teasing future videos, including potential builds without a case, and plugs related sponsor and partner links, underscoring the project’s blend of DIY engineering and community support.
Topics · technology · hardware_design · computing · design
Questions answered
- What is the intended form factor for the new case, and why was it chosen?
- The case is designed as a 4U rack-mountable chassis chosen to balance portability with space for hardware, while enabling easier cooling and expansion within a standardized rack height.
- Why did the builders switch from a dual-pump setup to a single pump and reservoir?
- They adjusted the plan to improve packaging and aesthetics, ensuring a clean look and reliable flow, while still maintaining effective water cooling within the available space.
- What software is used for the initial case design and what are the considerations with it?
- SketchUp is used for its accessibility and because the team relies on it for rapid visualization of the outer walls, clearances, and layout, despite not being the most feature-rich option for 3D modeling.