How to build a simple computer case using a box bought in the Ikea store.

How many of us after years spent warehousing obsolete PC components realize that a new computer could be built with those components ?
If this is your case, with this guide I will give you an idea to realize a computer case from a simply plastic box. In particular I used an IKEA BOX but another kind of box could be used too.

This is my first instructables, so excuse me if I will be not so clear.

Ok, let's start. This is the box I have in mind to use. I bought one of this with his respective lid for just 2,99 Euros at the IKEA shop here in Italy. It is large enough and looks fine.

I am not an IKEA employee, but if you are interested these are the links:

The Box

The Lid

Step 1: Arranging Components Inside the Box

I decided to put the power supply at the bottom. This becouse it's the most heavy component and in this way I will increase stability for the whole structure. Then the motherboard must be placed on the left side with the power connector close to the power supply. In my case the cable of the atx connector is very short, so I have no other choices.

The cd-unit is placed above the power supply and the hd-unit on the right side.

After marking the position of the screws and the plastic that must be cutted off let's proceed with the scissor, and the drill.
Ok, I know, I have to remove the label too.

A series of holes must be done head on the Power supply fan in order to have a good air flow. I think that It's better to do in this way because a single large hole could weaken the structure

Step 2: Mounting Components

I will use this type of tiny screws with their lock nuts to fasten the motherboard and the power button to the case.

Yes I know, in the back of the case I made a real mess.
The power button is placed on the top of the case and the speaker is next to the cd-unit. It is fastened only by it's magnetic power at the metal case of the cd-unit.
I decided to place just under the power supply the inner part of a CD cakebox to support it.

Just one consideration.
In my case I have very old components. A Pentium II Motherboard, Celeron 466 mhz processor, 16 MB VGA card, and only 1 cd and 1 hd units. Probably I will have not heating problems.
If you plan to use something more powerful, you probably will need to mount an additional fan to cool the processor and the vga card.

Step 3: The Lid

At the end we must cut off a little portion of the lid to let the cd-drawer pop out.

Step 4: The Test

Now we can start testing our new PC.

Wow... it works.

Of course I tested all the components before starting this project, it is very frustrating to perform a job just to discover that something is not working properly.

I left the computer working for two entire days and after the test is still functioning well.