Elf Prototype

The Elf is a very small Mini-ITX chassis constructed of bamboo. It is nearly as small as a Mini-ITX computer can possibly be. Even at this small size, it achieves excellent cooling efficiency, and can run an Intel Core i3 processor at full load at a low noise level.

Availability (updated 2014)

This was a project of mine back in 2010, originally hosted at least-common.com (defunct domain) that I hoped to turn into a kit-style product. Unfortunately I could never get the design to a point where I felt it was robust enough to sell to other people. It was too finicky to assemble and disassemble. I still have and use mine, though, and I did scratch the itch I originally had: I hated available computer cases and wanted something about the size of a Mac Mini. The Intel NUC has now finally stepped in and shrunken things even smaller. If I was buying a PC today, I might buy a NUC.

Features

• Dimensions: 78 × 200 × 216 mm / 3.1 × 7.9 × 8.5 inches
• Designed for 73W Intel LGA 1156 CPUs (i3 and certain i5 models)
• Fits two 2.5" HDDs/SSDs
• Powered by a PicoPSU
• No case fans—just the CPU fan

Caveats

• No front panel USB or sound ports
• No room for PCI[-e] card
• No optical drive
• No 3.5" drives
• No indicator LEDs (power/HDD activity)

Prototype #3

Changes since prototype #2:

• Eliminated some unnecessary tabs/slot joints, and made the ones that run along the grain much longer, and less prone to breakage.

Fully Loaded:

Schematic:

Prototype #2

Changes since prototype #1:

• 7% smaller (in volume). Gained 20mm in depth; lost 19mm in height; lost 7mm width.
• Fewer screws on the joints.
• Added "Elf" text and made vent holes look way better.
• Now designed for use with stock cooler/fan and no case fans!
• Fixed a bunch of things.

Assembled:

Running some stress tests:

Schematic:

Motherboard Compatibility

Compatibility mostly just depends on the CPU being in the corner closest to both the RAM and PCI-E slots. For that reason, the DFI LANParty MI P55-T36 will not fit. As a P55 board, it would be useless anyway, as it does not support onboard video, and the case has no room for a video card.

The following boards should work:

• GIGABYTE GA-H55N-USB3 (verified)
• Intel DH57JG
• ECS H55H-I
• ZOTAC H55ITX-A-E

Prototype #1 (Old)

For posterity...

Schematic:

This prototype didn't quite fit together, but it gives you a glimpse of what's to come:

Talk to me: email · twitter

Title font: Playtime Bold by John Skelton.