[Zero Clearance] Work Log

Final Pics Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

I've been wanting to do this mod for a long time, I made some prototypes last year and I learned a lot. This time I'm going big.
The basic concept is a PC inside of a briefcase, including a monitor. Now this may not sound too difficult until you start to measure all of the parts in your typical PC.
Everything is huge in comparison to your average briefcase. Even with a 5" thick case you will run into fitment issues of all kinds. My previous prototypes have had completely modified power supplies so that they would fit in the case yet be powerful enough to run everything. This time I have a great list of parts and a new goal that I set myself.

I'll be using a 3" briefcase. Well 2.9" to be exact. It's made of aluminum and it's only 19.7" x 13.7" x 2.9". Everything that a typical OCN system has will be going inside, I'm not trying to cheat and only use onboard graphics or some low power CPU. I'm going to make this into an absolute beast. I want this thing to be improbable, impossible, and I'll have a fire extinguisher ready for when I turn it on for the first time.

Here is a quick run down of the parts I plan to use. I may have to change some things but most of them are already ordered and on their way.

CPU:
Intel Core i5-3570K
That's right were going big, I'll be overclocking this as far as it will go.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Motherboard:
ASRock Z77E-ITX
There are only two Z77 Mini ITX boards out there and I'm choosing this one. Firstly because it's a bit smaller height wise that the ASUS alternative and secondly because I'm getting it for $100 at Microcenter this weekend.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157312

Memory:
Qty: 2 Kingston 8GB DDR3 1333 Low Profile
Now I know what your saying. "That memory sucks!" And yes I do agree that I could get some better memory but the fact is that these are half height memory sticks that also happen to be 8GB each. I'll be needing every mm I can get when it comes down to it.

PSU:
SILVERSTONE ST45SF-G 450W
This is the entire reason I'm making this computer. My old prototypes were always hampered by the need for a great power supply with a small form factor that also didn't exist. The 2.5" thickness makes all of this possible and I guarantee that I will be using this power supply to it's fullest extent.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256084

Monitor:
V7 LED215W2-8N 21.5-Inch Full HD 1080p Widescreen LED Monitor
We use these monitors at work all of the time so It was a good deal for me. The size is almost perfect for the briefcase I picked out and it has decent specs for a 21.5" screen.
http://www.amazon.com/V7-LED215W2-8N-21-5-Inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B007LGPK3S/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347592766&sr=1-9&keywords=v7+monitor

CPU Cooler:
CORSAIR H100
This is my first thought when it came to cool the CPU. I may have to go completely custom water-cooling or a smaller pre-made kit if I run into fitment issues, but for now this is the plan. This should cool the CPU nicely in the confines of the case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017

SSD:
Intel 330 Series 2.5" 120GB
I have one of these already and I'll probably add in a second one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167121

Briefcase:
MEZZI LUXslim Aluminum Laptop Case - XT BLACK
This is the case I have chosen for the project. It's black, it's aluminum, and it should do nicely. I'll be gutting the interior as soon as it arrives to make room for the new tenants to move in.
http://www.mezzi.com/Black-Metal-Briefcases/MEZZI-LUXslim-Aluminum-Laptop-Case---XT-BLACK/

Secondary Case:
ARK IPC-2U2055 Black 1.2mm SGCC 2U Rackmount Server Chassis
I'll be using this case to scavenge parts off of. I can easily take the motherboard tray and GPU mounting system and adapt it into the case. The last prototype I had the toughest time getting everything secured properly, this time I might even be ATX standard haha.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811128060

GPU:
GIGABYTE GV-N680SO-2GD GeForce GTX 680
That's right. It says 680 up there. I'm going to be using the new Gigabyte 5 fan GTX 680. The unique fan design will allow me to easily cool the card while keeping the form factor. This is gonna be good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125437

The first step is going to be parts gathering. I like to move fast on my projects so having most or all of the parts available from the start is a good thing. I already have the monitor and the secondary chassis and tonight I'll be starting with them.
The monitor will need to be taken out of its shell and I will be completely disassembling the ARK case.
My plan is to have the PC completely built by the end of the month. We'll see how everything goes.


Let's start by showing off the parts I have in hand.





I'm going to take everything out the the chassis so that I can cut the parts once the briefcase arrives.


As you can see, this case is more than the 3" requirement. We'll have to do some surgery later on.




Pretty good looking monitor, nice and simple. Now to see it's insides!








The screen is 3/8" thick. Perfect for this setup.

Well that's all for tonight. Parts should be trickling in over the next few days and hopefully I'll have some updates over the weekend.
Edited by Machiyariko - 11/10/12 at 9:22pm

Alright folks here is the Friday update:



I got the half height 8GB memory stick in from my work. I couldn't find any other models or brands available so this is what I'm using.




Here is the Silverstone SFF PSU I bought. It's even smaller than I thought which is a nice surprise.


I pulled out all of the cables for the PSU. I'm going to have to make new ones for this project, but it's nice to see what I'm starting with.

I'm picking up the motherboard and CPU this weekend. I'll update again once I get them unboxed and measured.