7 3D Files of PC Cases to Download and 3D Print
Ever consider what it might be like to construct your computer case? Finding the ideal PC case for your needs can be challenging, even though there are many options available to people looking to purchase a case for their computer.
This is no longer a problem, thanks to 3D printing. As long as you're prepared to put some time into the endeavor, designing and building your PC case is relatively simple. The benefit of making your own Computer is that you can adjust its features and components to meet your demands and financial constraints. The case, which houses and secures all of the electrical parts, holds everything together. Even if the casing isn't as pricey as a GPU, it may still run you anywhere from $30 to $300 in today's market (or more).
Making your own PC case using 3D printing is one option to further personalize and save the price of the PC build. Unlike most commercially available choices, a 3D printed case won't include case fans or screws, but you can modify the design to accommodate any hardware you choose. We'll discuss some of the best 3D printed PC regulatory frame in this post to demonstrate how 3D printing can be utilized to create one-of-a-kind and personalized PC cases. Before we look at the best 3D printed PC cases, let's have a look at the best 3D printing software that you can be using to create ready to print designs.
Best 3D Printing Software
There are many 3D printing software available that one can use but choosing the best one is always a challenge as most of the good ones are either expensive or they might have a steep learning curve and those that are cheap might not have all the necessary tools that one needs to prepare their designs for 3D printing. One of the outstanding tools that we recommend using is SelfCAD. SelfCAD is one of the easiest yet powerful 3D CAD software that comes with in-built 3D printing tools. It runs both online as well as on PC and both of these are synchronized together to ensure that users work anywhere anytime and their files are safe. You can create 3D models from scratch using SelfCAD by using the various tools like freehand drawing and sketching, as shown in the video below.
In addition to 3D drawing and sketching from scratch, you can also import your drawings and trace around then and later turn them into 3D models with ease.If you don't want to start from scratch, you can use the many 3D shape generators of the software as the foundation and modify them using the various tools of the software until you achieve the desired results. Editing and modifying meshes and STL files is easier in SelfCAD too. For example, you can clean the meshes and work on their faces as shown in the video below.
In addition to the above, the Magic fix tool of SelfCAD is handy when fixing non-manifold meshes and ensuring that your design is simplified and ready for 3D printing. If you have an STL file that you would like to edit and modify, you can use the various modification tools of the software to do it. The in-built online slicer of the software also ensures that slice your designs and generate the Gcode that to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how to prepare and slice an STL file for 3D printing in SelfCAD.
SelfCAD is also affordable as compared to other professional software and it also comes with many interactive tutorials to help you learn how the software works. There is also SelfCAD academy that can help you learn 3D modeling in general and how to use SelfCAD too.
Best 3D printed PC Cases: STL Files to Download and 3D Print
1. Watercooled ITX
First off, this case supports liquid cooling for your CPU and GPU and is designed for Mini-ITX-sized motherboards. The casing is fairly small overall, keeping with the ITX design, with the liquid cooling fans on the outside and all the components in the center. Due to the case's tiny form factor and placement of the power supply unit (PSU), there shouldn't be any need for long wires.
The designer claims that cutting the bracket from another case can be utilized to create the adapter for the motherboard's input-output (IO) ports (the designer used a Dremel tool). However, if you don't already have an extra casing, you might want to consider designing and 3D printing your own using the IO on your motherboard. For the case's power and reset buttons, you'll also need a Cherry-style keypad keycap; the designer built his own, and the STLs are provided with all the resources on Thingiverse.
2. Mini ITX Case With an ATX PSU
Despite having a very compact form factor, this micro ITX case can accommodate an entire full-size ATX power supply. In addition, it offers top and bottom ventilation, a 3.5" hard drive, and compatibility for dual-slot graphics cards up to 270mm in length.
A power button can be found on the top of this case, and there isn't much else to detract from its beautiful simplicity. A neat diamond design is applied to the case's front, back, and sides. The top and bottom have air holes. The I/O and access to the PSU are located in the back, as is typical in most other situations. The main outside panel of this case presents the most printing issue. This part's form makes it difficult to create without problems like warping on printers without enclosures. But aside from that, you can 3D print the complete casing, and assembly will only require a few screws.
3. Wall Mount PC Case by AwesomeCAD
PCs are cool, but wall mounted PC are cooler. Not only does this help you save space on your table, but it could also give your CPU more space for air circulation. This model by AwesomeCAD is crude in terms of the looks and functionality. The dimensions for the mounting holes on this case are only as accurate as the dimensions AwesomeCAD found online, you might have to modify it to fit your motherboard. The mounting for the graphics card and power supply would require your creation.
The SSDs may be held in place with merely double-sided sponge tape, claims Awesome CAD. The length at which the model's legs should be cut will also depend on your CPU cooling system and/or power supply. The legs of this model are made of half-inch carbon tube. It must be produced using a CNC router if you intend to build it. It would look nice if you used an aluminum or plastic board that is 10 mm thick. This model does not have any recorded downloads, but it has been remixed by one person, which means that the dimensions for your parts might not align with the dimensions of this design.
4. Wall-Mountable mATX Case
This project allows you to create a design similar to the popular wall-mountable PC case with only a small amount of printing. This case supports ATX motherboards and dual graphics cards, but only M.2 SSDs can be used for storage.
The casing comprises four back panels and a back panel, making the design itself rather straightforward. Except for the I/O panel, which is entirely solid, all of the panels have a simple hexagonal mesh pattern. Your GPU will extend somewhat because the enclosure is low-profile. The only significant drawback of this 3-d printed case is that the files cannot be used without modification on a print surface less than 300mm x 300mm. On the plus side, your motherboard tray will remain very sturdy as a result of this. To assemble the construction, you will also need to get some screws.
5. Phanteks SSD Bracket
This is not exactly a PC case; this is a component for Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Mid PC Case. To be precise, this is an SSD bracket for this particular model of PC cases. The Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Mid PC Case comes with a single SSD bracket; if you want to amp up your PC's memory, this is your best bet. The dimensions of this model fit tightly into the PC case. Which might be good if you don't want things to get loose and move around inside your case.
The creator suggests this model might work for other PC cases by Phanteks. However, no specific instructions or tips for printing have been provided on Thingiverse. This model has three recorded makes and 5 comments, so you might have to ensure the dimensions fit your PC case.
6. ATX Openframe PC Case
The top of this ATX Open Frame PC case can accommodate a 360mm chilled water radiator thanks to special design considerations. Additionally, it has room for a sizable reservoir, giving you the option to build unique circuits with a lot of chilling potential.
This case's design is unlike anything else on the market. The front and rear panels have a nice, curved design, and both sides are totally open. The base of your construct may conceal all of the unsightly components, and there is room for mounting hard drives and SSDs on the back.
This project's design was centered around a board tray that you would need to purchase, unlike other cases on this list. In addition, you will need to purchase a variety of different bolts in order to construct this 3-d printed PC case.
7. Blackbird
One of the most stylish 3D-printed PC cases available is the Blackbird. The case features a thin frame and fits a Mini-ITX motherboard, but because of its width, it doesn't quite adhere to a tiny form factor. The chassis nevertheless has a ton of wonderful features you'd find in a high-end PC case, including glass side panels, compatibility for a sizable, chilled water radiator, and room for a few case fans.
The Blackbird enclosure uses more than 20 3D printed components and a few other non-electronic hardware components, such as threaded inserts, according to the maker's construction log for the project. As we previously said, building your own Blackbird case will be difficult because, despite the case's construction log, the PrusaPrinters projects page only features just one 3D model of the design.
Conclusion
Even though there are many inexpensive PC cases on the market, creating one for yourself can be a terrific way to give your PC a unique touch. This path may be rewarding, enjoyable, and—most importantly—a terrific way to learn more about 3D printing and computers.
3D modeling software is obviously a great way to learn about this, after all you can’t print something that is not modeled. If you understand the basics of your model, it is easier to understand the printing side of it. Many 3D modeling software are available, and one of them is SelfCAD. In addition to being a 3D model maker, it also comes with an in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your designs. It also comes with a powerful 3D rendering software that allows you to see how your model will look. SelfCAD also has a lot of interactive tutorials to help you learn how the software works.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.