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Multimedia PC "MurksBox 2003"

Creator: Matt
Date: 2002-10-21
Rating: 
 

Description

My idea was to build a computer that could be connected to the TV for watching DivX videos, DVDs or for playing music. There are a lot of complete solutions today but they are often expensive. It's much cheaper to use a small case for regular mainboards. I only had a few small AT cases (buying a new one would be way too expensive) so I modded one to take a microATX mainboard. I was then able to build a powerful PC for less than CHF 300.-.

Components

€ old AT desktop case (will be modded for ATX)
€ old 250W ATX PSU
€ Shuttle MK32N mainboard with sound, LAN onboard
€ 256MB DDR-RAM
€ AMD Duron CPU 800MHz
€ Arctic SuperSilent 2500 cooler
€ ATI Radeon 7000 AGP graphics card
€ 3,5" floppy
€ 2GB harddisk
€ 6x DVD-ROM

The construction

To fit an ATX board into an AT case it has to be modded a little. AT and ATX use different positions for the distance bolts that fasten the mainboard so a few new holes have to be drilled and new distance bolts mounted. On the back 4 of 8 slots and the AT keyboard cut-out have to be sawed off to fit the back panel. The power supply has to be built in on edge, otherwise there's no room for the CPU cooler, and the power switch has to be replaced because ATX only needs a push-button.
The other components need no further modding. If the mainboard has no onboard graphics with TV-out you need an AGP card. The drives should be chosen by means of the intended use. For movies a DVD drive is otimal, if you don't have any DVDs an old CD-ROM will suffice. If you store your data on a file server you won't need a big harddisk, if you want to store your multimedia files on the PC you'll need at least 80GB.
At the end the case's design should match the other TV/HiFi devices and good air flow should be guaranteed.

murksbox1.jpgThe original AT case. A cut-out for the ATX back panel has already been cut with a dremel.
murksbox2.jpgTo mount the ATX board I had to place a few additional distance bolts. I used hot glue to fasten them because cutting a screw thread didn't work.
murksbox3.jpgHere the mainboard has been fitted into the case. Any microATX-sized mainboard can be installed in this modded case.
murksbox4.jpgThe back panel fits nicely but it still hangs in mid-air.
murksbox5.jpgAfter the conversion from AT to ATX there were a few open spots left. They were covered with cardboard and the gaps were filled with hot glue.
murksbox6.jpgThe PC is ready. I installed a DVD-ROM drive and a 2GB harddisk for the base system. 2GB are enough because the PC loads all the multimedia files from the network. Maybe I'll install a bigger drive later so it can store all data locally.
murksbox7.jpgThe power supply is placed next to the CPU. That way the hot air can be directly blown out of the case so the PC won't overheat. Usually the CPU runs at full load at a maximum of 40°C, the case is at 30°C.
murksbox8.jpgThe case has been painted black to match the other devices. I use a 55cm TV as the monitor, a JVC HiFi system takes care of the sound.

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