The ultimate case - a pipe dream

[ad5mb]

I'm pondering the ultimate case design, from an engineer/technicians point of view.

Parameters:

Function is all. Pretty ain't relevant. The convenience of the techs who work on this computer is the number one priority

Labor, tooling and parts are irrelevant. The metal scrap yard is vast, metal fabricators everywhere, any tool needed is in the hangar.

There will be no clutter over the MB.

The drives will be in a swing out tray. The tray can swing down or to the side, but the tech must be able to remove the drive mounting screws from one side of the case, without needing to reposition the case or remove more than one cover.

There will be storage in the case for driver disks & OS CDs.

There will be high-intensity lights in the case for the MB & drive areas.

There will be a switch next to every drive which enables the tech to switch that drive from master to slave. Assuming this can be done with one jumper.

Front panel USB, Firewire, Serial, Parallel, Video & Stereo Audio IO.

A clamping bar behind the computer to clamp the cables. So the many poorly designed non-locking connectors can't get jerked loose.

Am I missing anything?

[jmichna]

Sound deadening, built-in chiller, fan speed display, voltage display e.g., vcore, vdimm, vagp, etc. (these last two -- fan speed, voltage -- could be hidden behind a door).

Easy access fan filters (pop out/easy clean)

Let me know when you get them built... I'll order one!
jmichna

[tking]

Originally posted by ad5mb
...the tech must be able to remove the drive mounting screws...

Drive mounting screws! Ack!:D Why not...

http://www.pcextreme.net/reviews/genica_hddbay/box.jpg

Yank and swap is the only way to go, it's like having more than one computer in one! No one should get screwed by a hard drive.:rolleyes:

btw: really like the idea of having a tray holding driver media inside the case...

If you want really avant guarde, why not nix the case all together and install the pieces on a wall mounted plate? It could be a kind of modern art/technology showcase. I think the main argument for enclosures is ducting air flow. A wall mounted, water cooled computer, think of all the free desk space...