Framework Mini PC

A mini pc case with modular front amd back IO
238
186
3
8024
updated January 27, 2025

Makes

Comments

How are people connecting a button to the mainboard? After searching around I can only find a pretty delicate soldering solution that I would rather not attempt and purchasing limited run breakouts for power and status LEDs.

Synthetic stress test with load over all cores shows the difference between the situation in the same case with the extra fans turned on, vs off. Roughly a delta of 7C is what you can expect. I haven't let it run for hours in each state, so there is the possibility of a higher improvement.

Second full print in transparent PC (edited)

Have you got pic from inside? All mounted.... Where is the power supply?

@Atilla_335002 Hey, this isn't a regular mini pc; it is for the framework mainboard. This does not need a regular ATX PSU, hence the mainboard can fit into cases which are as small as streamdecks.

Please see
 https://www.printables.com/contest/449-framework-computer-mainboard-case
and the official model by Framework
 https://www.printables.com/model/294573-3d-printable-mainboard-case/remixes?ordering=downloads

Added a second button to enable or disable the extra fans.
Very good case that just works and looks good.

View 2 more comments

@darkcruix_762218 Can you give a quick explanation for how you connected the power button to the board? It's not obvious to me.

@JohnBonomi_492656 There are two options, one is to buy a breakout board for the connector, which I didn't do.
The second option is to solder wires on each side on the tiny on board switch for the power. I used two small wires and connected them to the external power switch. To keep it stable, I also put solder mask on top of the wires and cured it with UV light. If I need to remove them, I can just remove the solder mask and then de-solder the wires.

I just wanted to understand why there is so much space just for the fans, the purpose of the PC is to be small, only if this space was for upgrades like HD, GPU, etc.
But don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful project and very well done. (edited)

@GabrielFranc_1966673 I think it is a good compromise. I could fit a few extras in the case, like a fan controller with external power. Because of the size, it allows for future upgrades and ideas.

Great case - I definitely will print and test it! Do you have a version of the step file that doesn't split the parts (especially the curved air channel (bump that increases the air pressure)? (edited)

@darkcruix_762218 I don't, but the cuts were the very last thing I added, so I can scroll through the timeline and get them for you
gimmie a few minutes

@Jirka_2550136 on the V2 list! for now you could get away with using double sided tape to attach it to the back side

If you own a laptop you own a framework mainboard. Your basically taking a laptop and putting it into a desktop. (edited)