Overview / Usage

This project was born out of some frustration i had recently with my case, i had a raspberry pi and i wanted to use it with my monitor, but did not have a wifi adapter and did not want to run a ethernet cable, and in that frustration i had a thought "If only consumer cases had front panel ethernet!" and then i had the idea about a standardized box size that anyone could 3D print, put in anything they wanted, wire it up to a Usb c port and can just slot into the front of a case, Headphone amp? Yup, Front panel customizable display? Yup!, Pizza warmer, Maybe?

Methodology / Approach

In the future if this idea where to take off, i would imagine there being a standardized high speed header on motherboards connected to something like a thunderbolt backplane , but for this project i am going to connect it using a USB 3.1 Gen 2 cable from the rear because i don't have the time or money to design a motherboard header and find a way to connect it to the motherboard, I plan to make the front bay by using a Dremel and cutting out enough space on the front panel for the IO box (also-depending on how much structural integrity it has i may put in a brace made from bent metal or plastic) , For the box itself i would've liked to make using a 3d printer but because i do not have the money for one currently i have decided to just use a simple project box, and for the actual ports and display because i really really suck at soldering and want to minimize how much i have to do it i am gonna pick up a usb hub and take the guts out of it, wire the display to it using a small usb to hdmi connector, for the software to monitor temps i plan to use something like NZXT CAM, for the ethernet my plan is to get a female rj45 to usb adapter something like this (see pic 3) and take it out of its casing to thin the bulk out and for the last thing, the usb ports it is pretty simple, just get a small extender cable with a female connector on one side and a male on the other to bring the rest of the connectors on the hub to the front of the box, maybe having to make a custom cable if i cannot find one small enough to fit in the box

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PS- this is my first time ever modding and only my second time even building a PC, In fact that picture you see is actually my first time ever using CAD and cutting out the front slot would even be my first time ever using a Dremel

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Technologies Used

My Picks From The Hardware List

Seasonic focus PX-850 - My reasoning - is just that i would like the least heat in the system and most reliability

Samsung 980 PRO - My reasoning - Its a super fast gen 4 ssd

ROG strix 3070 - My reasoning - Again i want something that has the most cooling performance (also the RGB makes the computer faster!)

Silent Base 802 Black - My reasoning - It is a really nice case (also it is the only option though i am not complaining:) )

K68 - My reasoning - i actually will not be using this most likely, i will probably give it to my family along with my current rig if i get sent the components

g503 - My reasoning - Same as k68

MSI MED CORELIQUID S360 - My reasoning - just a really nice cooler

32gb's of ddr5 (presumably) - My reasoning - i don't really have any reason besides ddr5 being super fast and 32gbs being overkill for my needs

I9 12900K - My reasoning - Its the worlds fastest gaming CPU, what else can i say?

Things and software that i need to actually do the mod itself

NZXT CAM

A display that is 2-3.5 inches with a usb/hdmi connection

A Dremel tool

Female to male USB C cable (Will make myself if i cannot find one short enough)

Male USB to female RJ-45

Project Box

Screws

Soldering iron

Multimeter (to diagnose problems)