[Project]Gemini - Lian-Li PC-Q7 Mini-ITX

Greetings Everyone

Yes I know my other build ANT hasnt been updated in a while, that is because I've been busy with this build.


What is this build all about ?

I am doing a build for my little brother. He needs a simple machine, just powerful enough for the regular day to day stuff. Browsing/Music etc.
His birthday is on the 13th of June and I plan to gift this to him.




Why call it Gemini ?

My brother is a Gemini. So decided to call it that.


Alright enough.. Can we get to the details now ?

This build is going to be centered around modding a Lian Li PC-Q7.It is an extremely small case as you will see. I wanted to fit a decently sized CPU cooler in the case. Yes this is an air cooled log.. No watercooling... sorry



What to expect during the course of this mod.?

1. A fully painted chassis (Duplicolor Mirage)
2. Laser Cut custom acrylic side panels.
3. Laser Cut Custom acrylic Back Panel
4. Cable Sleeving
5. A little bondo work


The Components
1. ZOTAC NF610I-D-E LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 7050 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard - Retail
2. Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz
3. Noctua NH-C12P 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - Retail
4. GeIL Black Dragon 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
5. LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
6. SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD102UJ 1TB
7. Micro-ATX PSU. (Some OEM)

Thanks for Looking,
-wasted

Reserved for updates and final pics


Final Pics... More here









1. Update 1: Measuring and Mocking up

2. Bondo and Wire Sleeving action

3. PSU painted/ Case primed

4. Paper Mockups of panels

5. Laser Cut Panels..

6. More Laser Cut Panels

7. Case Powdercoating thread

8. Finishing Up

9. Completed Pics

Not to be consufed with Syrillian's Gemini I presume?

no. That one was a monster. This one is the exact opposite

This case is an extremely small one. Measures just 7.6" x 8.3" x 11.4". Lian-Li designed this case to accommodate a full size PSU. But why would anyone want to put a full size PSU into a Mini-ITX case ? :swearing:
In the stock placement of things the motherboard and the PSU sit parallel to each other.. and the PSU will sit extremely close to the CPU cooler . This arrangement seems like a pretty bad idea to me.. how does the CPU cooler draw in air ??

Enough of ranting.. Time for some pictures...

The stock case






Its tiny ...





Here's the case with the Motherboard and CPU cooler mounted. The problem is pretty obvious here there is no space to mount the PSU.




So here's my solution. Use a micro ATX PSU and mount it at the bottom of the case. In such a situation there is minimal impact on the structure of the case itself or component placement.



The only thing that has to be done is mod the back panel to fit the micro-ATX PSU.



Thanks for looking,
-wasted

Me likes!!

Dang another project. I wish this case was a little bit wider, so it could fit a bigger cpu cooler and a power supply. Hmm this case is nice thoe might use it on a nvidia ion build some time. Subbed cant wait to see that nice paint be applied to a nice case

neat case, subscribed

Naaa!!! I believe there's room enough for the PSU next to tha little monster (Noctua)

You wont be dissapointed

. Yes I wish this case was a little longer. This case reminds me of the Soldam cases. Particularly this one..



The good thing about the soldam is that its a little longer. So you can fit a big PSU and a proper cooler in it.


Thanks nate. Good to see you here