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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: payment_due on January 10, 2009, 03:07:50 pm

Title: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: payment_due on January 10, 2009, 03:07:50 pm


Ive built my MAMEpc and it's in pieces, and it will not have a case.  I originally wanted to mount the PC on a small piece of plywood, but I decided I will mount it in my cab as the cab has some wood for mounting PCBs in it already. Mounting the mobo/pcb is not an issue. I got some PCB feeties and those will work just dandy. But my question is regarding the placement of the board to lessen the 'stress' on the vga card.  Since the pcb will not have a case, there's not really a way (that I can see) of securing the VGA card.  Anyone have any suggestions on how to secure it?

Here's a pic of the pc (sans all the cabling)

(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq134/payment_due/410/mamepc.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq134/payment_due/410/pcb_feet.jpg)
(http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq134/payment_due/410/avga_seated.jpg)
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: Games001 on January 10, 2009, 03:20:55 pm
Using a bit of scrap wood, set a bar of wood, the right length and 'width/height' in order to allow you to screw the top notch of the VGA card right into the wood.  It will be dead secure that way and also removes any chance of metal grounding issues.  Just make sure you cut the mounting bord into a 'upside down U' shape in order to allow the cables to reach the ports.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: CathalDublin on January 10, 2009, 04:02:32 pm
Good idea games001
I just securied my vga cable so it couldnt pull the card out and havent had any issues
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: vetteguy112233 on January 10, 2009, 04:08:56 pm
I like the look of the bare pc hardware mounted inside of the cabinet, but I figured in the long run it would be easier for me to leave it all in the tower and just secure the tower inside the cabinet.

That way if I ever have a problem with hardware or need to move the machine, I can just take the tower out.

But the piece of wood idea that is the same height as the video card seems to work very well. I've seen it like that in other cabinets.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: payment_due on January 10, 2009, 11:53:28 pm
Thanks for the suggestions fellas.  But how would I go about securing the piece of wood? I don't want to glue it into the wood on the cab, I'd like for it to be removable.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: dreamakuma on January 11, 2009, 04:21:57 am
Screw in a small bracket? un screw when you need to.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: zelony on January 12, 2009, 11:42:57 pm
You could always use a cable to hold it in place.  Screw it down and strap it across the top of the card and then screw it down on the other side.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: payment_due on January 12, 2009, 11:43:30 pm
You could always use a cable to hold it in place.  Screw it down and strap it across the top of the card and then screw it down on the other side.

I think this might be my best bet. Thanks.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: SavannahLion on January 13, 2009, 12:02:19 am
Antec Skeleton (http://www.antec.com/usa/productDetails.php?id=15125&lan=us)

(http://www.antec.com/images/400/Skeleton_quarter_400.jpg)

Or you can just buy some old PC case and strip everything off to get the frame. Then bolt the frame to the inside of your cab.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: BASS! on January 13, 2009, 05:15:17 pm
Antec Skeleton (http://www.antec.com/usa/productDetails.php?id=15125&lan=us)

(http://www.antec.com/images/400/Skeleton_quarter_400.jpg)

Or you can just buy some old PC case and strip everything off to get the frame. Then bolt the frame to the inside of your cab.
I do love that case but that is by no means a money saving alternative. THAT THING IS $180 :o. Lian li replacement parts are way cheaper and will achieve the same goal much easier as well.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: SavannahLion on January 13, 2009, 06:24:09 pm
I do love that case but that is by no means a money saving alternative. THAT THING IS $180 :o. Lian li replacement parts are way cheaper and will achieve the same goal much easier as well.
[/quote]

The point I was trying to make is that the OP really doesn't have to rig a wood frame. He has alternate options ranging from the Antec Skeleton or, as you pointed out, a Lian Li to use a metal frame to hold his cards in place.

A wood frame is certainly doable. It's just extra work that might not be necessary. Depends on the OPs cab really.
Title: Re: Mounting a PC, causing as little stress to the VGA card as poss.
Post by: fronty on January 13, 2009, 09:22:22 pm
.