Re: [N8VEM: 14578] Inexpensive enclosures

[alexcp <alexey.k...@gmail.com>]

Just my two cents' worth: I recently built an SBC on a Mini-ITX sized PCB and did use an M350 - see the attached pics.

Based on that experience, the pros are: the case is ready made and available; it looks rather nice (some Mini-ITX cases are just ugly); and it has enough room to host 20-30 ICs. 

The cons: you're paying money for things you will not use, such as hard drive brackets, fan cutouts, front USB and back SMA connectors, etc.; the I/O back panel, a tricky part, still needs to be fabricated; the 170x170mm size may be a limitation; and, again, most of Mini-ITX cases are not so good looking. 

Alex

On Friday, September 7, 2012 6:04:35 AM UTC+4, G. Beat wrote:

Max is correct.  
Majority of Retro Builders either have the Software/Firmware gene (Doug), or the PC board layout/stuff components/build.

IF you look at the swath of "retro" 8-bit projects, they run the gambit from exact replicas: AltairKit 8080 and 680 by Grant Stockly); to updates: Lee Bird's Heathkit H-8 update or Spare Time Gizmo's Cosmac ELF 2K.

Everyone of these projects struggled with the enclosure / packaging due to 2012 fabrication costs.  In taking with those project leaders, it is an after thought or a real struggle.
The "typical" solution is they don't develop one OR retro-fit into original 1970s / 1980s cases.

I am not worried about 170mm x 170mm space of Mimi-ITX, since you can easily add a PC-104 (well documented for 8-bit and 16-bit) expansion connector for a second stack card or option (e.g. CF Card, memory, CPU module)
The mini-ITX allows for the height above board, since they planned for large fan/heat sink assemblies.
I don't see a super-charged 8-bit processor with major heat issues.

I'll close with, Sometimes the worst situation for a design is not having enough constraints.

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