A lone A3000T motherboard - where to get a case?

[TheBilgeRat]

Not sure if you are still looking for this, but it looks like Doomy has one for sale here in P-town:

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/sys/3779008922.html

EDIT:  No affiliation, YMMV, etc etc.

[Amiga_CDTV]

I tried contacting the person on the link above (when it had just been posted) but somehow the sale never got anywhere.

I put a wanted-to-buy -ad on the marketplace -forum (here).

I am still looking. Either original case (preferred) or something else that would house this enormous motherboard.

[haywirepc]

I love that motherboard you have there. I'd love to build a system around it...

 If you look around for an old 486 full tower case, I'm fairly sure it would fit.

Something like this :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-PENTIUM-PC-FULL-TOWER-CASING-ACCESSORIES-MODEM-SOUND-CARD-PRINTER-CPU-/200969361376?pt=CPUs&hash=item2ecab517e0http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATX-Tower-Full-Sized-empty-/190917736196?pt=US_Computer_Cases&hash=item2c73957704

or THIS :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATX-Tower-Full-Sized-empty-/190917736196?pt=US_Computer_Cases&hash=item2c73957704

I think you have to go with an OLDER 486 or early pentium full tower case. The cases people call "full tower" today really are not full tower at all, and I doubt that massive board would fit in most modern cases.

The alternative of course, is to build your own case from lexan or any material. I mean its just a box right? I built a pc case from sheet metal once. Looked not bad... "industrial" styled.

Good luck!

[Amiga_CDTV]

I am happy to report that this project has finally gone forward!

I got bored of looking old server cases from eBay (and the postages would have been astronomical). So I checked out my nearest PC- superstore, and bought the biggest possible ATX- case, the model I chose was a NZXT Switch 810.

Although being a VERY large case, the motherboard only just fits in width! I had to drill new holes for the motherboard stands and cut some metal out of the rear panel. With a help from a friend from work, the board is now installed in the case, and the system has been quickly tested - and it works!

Pictures available here.

Some more work is needed around the rear connectors (I have a piece of white, easily cuttable plastic sheet of which I'll do a plate to cover the rear panel connectors) and cables need to be routed but it's already looking like a real computer! The PSU can be fitted at the bottom (doesn't quite fit the opening in the case but fits inside the case). I didn't even try to make the Zorro slots really usable (or to fit the slots on the rear panel) but at the moment I don't have any Zorro boards for this machine, anyway. If I someday decide to expand the system I have to come up with something.

The case came with four 140mm fans, I'll see how to put those (and I think I'll need only two or three for this system anyway).

One must be real crazy to have a hobby like this...

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Wow, looks great!  Yeah, you'll have to do something about that PSU being down there if you ever want to use those Zorro slots, LOL.

You might check out some of the photos from this thread for ideas (I realize it's only a 3000D motherboard not a 3000T, but still a really clean install):

http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=47425

Good luck finishing her up!

[Amiga_CDTV]

To update this thread; I have now managed to buy an original case, and I am building my A3000T machine! Awesome! This is indeed a really hefty case.

The original PSU that came with the machine is not working (5V and 12V rails are working, but the PWR_OK/FAIL -signal from the PSU stays low, keeping the motherboard in a reset-state). It looks like there is a bit of corrosion in several solderpoints of the PSU's PCB so I am not too optimistic about getting it working.