Overview / Usage

This will be my 2nd time to build a PC and the 1st time to delve into any sort of PC case modding. I am wanting to challenge myself and I have set this as a goal of mine. The future is unknown and sometimes impossible to plan for. The PC space is ever changing and evolving to meet the needs of all types of consumers. You had computers/mainframes that took up entire rooms to handheld devices that tenfold or hundred the computational power. In terms of looking to the future I see time spent gaming and using computers becoming even more prominent. That is why I want to create a no compromise mobile battle station of sorts. Some would say “that’s a laptop, or a tablet,” but what I am aiming for is something universal, modular, and upgradable. Being practical in nature and conscience of preserving our planet, it is very e-wasteful to dispose of a laptop yearly or more because components can’t be changed or upgraded. On the other side. Laptops and all-in-ones have compromises. You have to have smaller CPUs and GPUs, you can’t upgrade internal components easily (mentioned above), the form factors don’t always cater to gamers, you can’t change screen sizes or resolutions after purchasing, etc.... My design focuses on practical value-added decisions like portability, usability, and sustainability. I bring to you (in homage of countless Intel slogans) ‘PC Inside’, or PC in a case! This design will incorporate using all the pieces of the bequiet! Silent Base 802 White case. This is a winner take all no-compromise to portable PC use. It raises the bar on what a desktop could ever do. It will truly be everything needed to setup a gaming machine anywhere and anytime the moment rises!

Thank you for taking the time to look this over and I hope you appreciate the concept and having the chance to do something wonderful and bring PC Inside to a reality and proving that a desktop is the best!

Methodology / Approach

When looking at the case for the challenge I noticed an interesting setup in how the side cases adhere to the top of the case and thought those can be flipped over due to the pin structure. That is where the idea began to come to paper. I also noticed the case uses foam as a silencing method for the internals of the beast. That meant I could use those foam pads as recessed inserts for a keyboard, monitor and mouse. Naturally this got me to thinking I could build an entire no-compromise gaming station or powerful portable workstation thanks to the Intel 12900k breathing life into the creation. By rotating the side panel, that hides the cables of the build, 180 degrees I now have a vertical padded canvas that is then pinned into the top of the case and supported by the supplied optional top panel. Within this side panel I would then embed a monitor that would derive its power from the Thunderbolt 4 and PD options Intel has created and made available with the Z690 chipset. The screen would of course be driven by the 3070 (and hopefully the Intel ARC GPU in the future)! Now there is the side panel that hides the internal components. The original idea here was to have a direct hinge system that lifted directly up and locked in place. However, I wanted to utilize the padding on the inside of the panel as both a wrist rest and peripheral holder. Now the side panel would have to come off, flip completely over and pin back into the top case. I will have to figure out some engineering to pin it back with there still being stability. Now that the pad is exposed, the keyboard will also be recessed into the pad in order create a holding place for storage (and bound) when not in use as well as a natural wrist rest at the end of the panel. The mouse will have a recessed cutout at the top of the panel for storage with a binder so that it travels safely in the case during transport and give the pad texture it can either be directly used or I would recess a cloth mousepad for optimal mouse usage at the end of the panel. The final thing I want to try and accomplish is to go even more green and engineer tri-fold solar panels into the front panel that will serve as aux power or even solely power the 12900k in 8e core mode, I am unsure of core regulation/delegation when optional power modes are present or if that is an option. But I am happy to figure out if it can! The front panel will either fold down with suspension or fold upwards and be supported by similar hinges to the peripheral panel. The other nice benefit it that when in use the case will be that of an open chassis style design meaning that heat will not be an issue for the powerful components.

When transporting the PC Inside, everything needed to use the computer would be housed within case itself and once you get to the destination you could assemble the PC Inside into its usable mode and begin working or gaming at a friend’s house or that laboratory you got sent to for a week! Ultimately, I would love for this to have a Transformers type vibe and be able to use automation and servos to automatically assemble the case into transport or use modes with a push of the power button on top of the case. This is out of my handyman wheelhouse currently, but it is something I will tinker with as I have servos lying around to attempt automatic transformation.

Technologies Used

Hardware:

Hinges like folding tables (but much smaller) or a hinge like on a storm door that is lockable.

Screws and pins to utilize case anchor points or fabricate new ones.

Trifold compact solar panels

Power bank/s for the solar panels with plug to match PSU

1440p slim/portable monitor 15.6” or larger

Cloth Mouse Pad

Tools:

Hobby knife

Hobby glue

Drill gun

PC components:

CPU: Intel 12900k

Cooler: MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360

GPU: 3070

MOBO: MPG Z690 Carbon WIFI

RAM: 2 x 16 GB

SSD: 1TB M.2

PSU: 850w

Case: bequiet! Silent Base 802 White

Keyboard: Corsair K63 (because its TKL for space in the side panel)

Mouse: Logitech G305 (because of uniform size and its wireless)

Internal USB header device to route as many cables inside the case as possible for transport and use modes.