This is my latest design: the X500 PLUS

It's a computer case inspired by the great classic computers of the '80s and 90's, (Commodore machines, in particular the A500 Plus, my first Amiga, the Ataris etc..etc...), it's a tribute to them.

A bit of history...

I started this project seven years ago, to give my then super expanded Commodore A1200 a new home. So every time I saved some money I’d work on it. I made several prototypes but wasn’t happy with any of them.

Being a one-man project, I designed it, raised the money and worked on it in my spare time.

I work in my garage and I handcraft them. There is no fancy design studio in sunny California, actually quite the opposite! :-)

The X500 PLUS sets the following targets:

To offer a case with a retro feeling but with modern, clean lines, lots of space and a full size, modern, low profile keyboard.

To support powerful x86 boards (mini-itx and flex-atx boards) running AROS, Windows, Linux, WinUAE or you can build your Natami or FPGAArcade machines.

To support the SAM boards by ACube running AmigaOS 4, for the full Amiga experience.

To offer one low profile expansion slot.

Fractal Design silent 40mm fan, like the one in the video or a Scythe silent 40mm (I have tested both and they are very good and silent).

To have enough space inside for a slim DVD-RW, a 3.5” multi card reader, two 2.5” Hard Disk or Solid State Drives (I recommend the SSDs as they have no moving parts, they are faster, silent and don’t generate heat).

Being able to replace the LEDs if you want to or if they become faulty.

Limitations: being only 58mm high you’ll need to use processors heatsinks that fit (my Intel i3 came with the right low profile heat sink for example) but I advise using low power and fan less setups.

Length and thickness (no dual slot) limit of the card applies, the ATI HD 6570 2GB above in the video is 170mm long for example and it fits nicely.

There is no need to do anything with the SAM boards, maybe just file the I/O panel a bit.

When assembling your computer consider that it is, after all, a small enclosure (take heat generated into account), you’ll be using a picoPSU (not included) and they come in 80, 90, 120, 150 and 160W so power is at a premium.
 

The X500 PLUS shown in the video has an Intel i3 cpu running at 2.5GHz on a Gigabyte motherboard with 8GB DDR3 RAM (16GB supported), onboard Intel HD 2000/3000 graphic chip, USB3.0, HDMI ports, VGA and a x16 PCI-Express slot with a low profile ATI Radeon HD 6570 2GB graphics card attached. This is one of the most powerful low profile cards you can get and it does get hot but it runs games such as Mass Effect 3 really well. My set up also has a 150W picoPSU with external 150W AC/DC adapter.
 

I will be assembling them one by one…so please be patient.

You will have to use your best pc building skills to make it nice and tidy inside, routing cables the proper way and allow good airflow.

Crank the volume right up and select HD...

Video:

Photos

Usual email: amigarulez@hotmail.com

Names, logos and trademarks belong to their respective owners, and are for demonstration purposes only, the case DOES NOT come with any names, logos or stickers. Removed the Amiga name and logo on Commodore USA's request (Amiga name is licensed to Commodore USA by Amiga Inc.).

Have fun and thanks again.