A Redditor has built a PC inside an old radio case, making for an unsuspecting gaming machine. It keeps the original aspect intact by reusing the existing openings and knobs for various tasks.
Reddit user 21stCenturyIndustry has managed to somewhat squeeze an SFF build inside an old Radio set bought from eBay. After removing the internals, the user shoved an ITX motherboard and a 9in long graphics card into the empty space. Unfortunately, due to a miscalculation, the GPU ended up too long to close the case fully. 21stCenturyIndustry said that they’ll continue to improve it over time.
This open back doesn’t get in the way, as the hardware stayed cool at around 44°C despite a lonely fan handling air intake through the front mesh. They thought about adding more ventilation holes but decided against to avoid cracking the old wood. A good choice, as it would break the aesthetic anyway.
To power turn the machine on, 21stCenturyIndustry opted for a simple button hidden behind one of the original knobs, with a spring to create the feedback effect.
Yes, this approach may not be as complicated as the handmade wooden PC we covered, but the idea is unique. I for once wouldn’t have thought of putting a PC inside an old Radio set. Maybe inside a toaster for the memes, or an older gaming console for a sleeper build, but not a Radio. 10 points to Gryffindor for originality.
If 21stCenturyIndustry is still looking to further customise this build, replacing the radiofrequency indicator with a screen showing the CPU frequency or temperature would be perfect. Preferably the former, on top of a circular skin to imitate the original indicator design, if possible.
If you fancy building something similar, 21stCenturyIndustry recommends finding as big of a case as possible. After all, you don’t want smaller internal space as a nasty surprise. Plus, you should also think about the positioning of each component, since you may not have many air intakes.
