The PC case market has evolved and expanded significantly in the past decade, with buyers given not only more choice but more variety in terms of the form factors and features that are available from major brands.

However, the problem with PC gaming becoming more mainstream is that popular cases can all end up looking the same, which is not ideal if you are interested in building a completely unique rig.

This is where using CNC machines like those available from Revelation Machinery comes into its own. Whether you use your own equipment or outsource the production of your bespoke case design to a cnc machining specialist, it is possible to get something that stands out from the crowd.

There are challenges to overcome if you choose to take this route, so here is a look at the main hurdles so that you know what to expect.

Standardisation requirements & component selection

While you can use modern machinery to make a DIY case for your PC of almost any shape and size, you are still restricted by the standards that define the kinds of components you choose.

As such, you will need to work out what parts you are going to order for your full system before you plough ahead with the case design. For example, if you want a super-compact case then you will need to make sure that it can accommodate a micro-ATX or even a mini-ITX motherboard, complete with all the correctly positioned stand-offs so that this can be mounted securely without raising the risk of shorting.

Your design also needs to be created with clearance and cooling in mind. There needs to be enough room for your chosen GPU as well as your CPU cooler, so allowing adequate internal length and width to give these components room to sit snugly and also access adequate airflow is important. Given that thermal throttling caused by sub-standard cooling will hurt performance, study the ventilation needs of a PC case before you commit to a design and start using machinery to make it.

Material choices

Many PC cases are made either solely out of metal and plastic, or of a combination of materials including tempered glass and material meshes. If you are designing and building from scratch using CNC machines, you can go even further and consider using materials such as wood, which will definitely help with the uniqueness.

Of course the more esoteric your material choices, the more steps will be involved in the production and the greater the consideration must be to the types of equipment you use. Some cnc manufacturing equipment like bed mill or metal lathe are perfect for cutting, etching and milling metals and plastics, while others will work better with the likes of wood. Check this carefully during the design phase to avoid hiccups further down the line.

Efficiency improvements

The final point to consider is that if you are going to be machining several parts of your case, it makes sense to group these together so that they can be cut from a single piece of material. This will reduce waste and keep the costs down.

If in doubt, get expert advice on how to manufacture a DIY PC case, especially if you are going to be using heavy machinery to achieve the desired results.