Cardboard DIY PC Case Building Challenge!
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Promos
Thanks to Seasonic for sponsoring this video! Buy Seasonic PSUs on Amazon: lmg.gg Buy Seasonic PSUs on Newegg: lmg.gg Team Linus/Jake vs Team Alex/James, who do you think will make the best cardboard computer case? Buy Corrugated Cardboard On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy CORSAIR Fans On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us On Newegg (PAID LINK): geni.us On B&H (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy Kingston 1TB SSD On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us On Newegg (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy ASUS X99-A Motherboard On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us On Newegg (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB RAM On Amazon (PAID LINK): geni.us On Newegg (PAID LINK): geni.us On B&H (PAID LINK): geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com GET MERCH: lttstore.com SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com LTX EXPO: ltxexpo.com AFFILIATES & REFERRALS --------------------------------------------------- Affiliates, Sponsors & Referrals: lmg.gg Get Private Internet Access VPN at lmg.gg Get a Mech Keyboard: geni.us NEEDforSEAT Gaming Chairs: geni.us Get a Displate Metal Print at lmg.gg Use code LINUSMEDIAGROUP on Epic Games Store: lmg.gg Get a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime at lmg.gg Our Gear on Amazon: geni.us FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv FOLLOW OUR OTHER CHANNELS --------------------------------------------------- Techquickie: lmg.gg TechLinked: lmg.gg ShortCircuit: lmg.gg LMG Clips: lmg.gg Channel Super Fun: lmg.gg Carpool Critics: lmg.gg 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 Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 lmg.gg Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 lmg.gg Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 lmg.gg
This video presents a hands-on cardboard PC case building challenge sponsored by Seasonic. The setup frames two teams, Linus-led and Alex-led, competing to design and assemble the most functional computer case entirely from corrugated cardboard. The host explains the premise, the rules, and the judging criteria, which include integrity, modularity, cooling, aesthetics, and creativity. Early on the teams debate design philosophies, from traditional boxy forms to more elaborate, stylized fronts with fan holes and even a horse-inspired top. The opening segments foreground the constraints, such as no tape, the need for a sturdy motherboard support, and the challenge of fitting components within cardboard while still enabling airflow. Through this exchange, viewers get a clear sense of the playful competition, the sponsorship, and the practical constraints of cardboard fabrication.
Topics · science_and_technology · design_challenge · maker_movement · hardware_design · contest
Questions answered
- Which materials and constraints defined the cardboard PC case build, and how did they affect the final designs?
- The build was constrained to cardboard only, with no tape allowed initially, requiring clever use of folds, tabs, dovetails, and existing cardboard box techniques to create a rigid chassis. The motherboard tray, open sides, and front panel design were explored to balance structural integrity, cooling, and aesthetics, leading to iterative redesigns as the teams faced time pressure and material limits.
- How did the teams address cooling and airflow in a cardboard case, and what compromises did they make?
- Cooling was approached with front fans and airflow gaps, using an air channel design similar to real PC cases. They experimented with an internal frame and external shell to maintain rigidity while allowing air to pass through. Some compromises included relying on an open back or vented panels, and in one case, adding a window or cutouts for visual appeal while risking structural strength.
- What was the judging emphasis and how did it influence the teams’ approaches to design choices?
- Judging emphasized integrity, modularity, cooling, aesthetics, and creativity. This pushed teams to consider how sturdy their builds were under handling, how adjustable and serviceable the internals would be, how well cooling would perform without metal or glass, and how visually appealing the final product appeared. The scoring encouraged balance between function and appearance, sometimes leading to last-minute design pivots.