A custom 3D-printed PC case demonstrates the feasibility of modular, magnet-based assembly

A custom 3D-printed PC case, the MKO1, was successfully assembled using a modular, magnet-based design. The project required significant manual labor, including the installation of 132 magnets and various M3 screws, to secure the components. The case was printed using PETG filament, chosen for its higher heat deflection temperature compared to PLA, which helps prevent warping under the thermal load of a gaming PC. The build features a mid-tower form factor with three 120mm fans and accommodates a full-sized cooler and a Colorful iGame 5070 Mini GPU. Despite the innovative design, the assembly process was hindered by poor, image-only instructions that lacked necessary details on screw lengths and component orientation. The final build exhibited some structural sag, which the creators attributed to the 3D-printed nature of the case and the reliance on magnets for structural integrity. While the case is aesthetically unique and functional, the creators noted that the assembly process was tedious and the lack of comprehensive documentation would make it challenging for others to replicate.

Tech4K StaffVideo report

A custom 3D-printed PC case, the MKO1, was successfully assembled using a modular, magnet-based design. The project required significant manual labor, including the installation of 132 magnets and various M3 screws, to secure the components. The case was printed using PETG filament, chosen for its higher heat deflection temperature compared to PLA, which helps prevent warping under the thermal load of a gaming PC. The build features a mid-tower form factor with three 120mm fans and accommodates a full-sized cooler and a Colorful iGame 5070 Mini GPU. Despite the innovative design, the assembly process was hindered by poor, image-only instructions that lacked necessary details on screw lengths and component orientation. The final build exhibited some structural sag, which the creators attributed to the 3D-printed nature of the case and the reliance on magnets for structural integrity. While the case is aesthetically unique and functional, the creators noted that the assembly process was tedious and the lack of comprehensive documentation would make it challenging for others to replicate.

The MKO1 PC case utilizes a modular, magnet-based assembly system to secure its 3D-printed panels. PETG filament was used for the case construction to provide better heat resistance than standard PLA.

The assembly process required the manual installation of 132 individual magnets and numerous M3 screws. The case design accommodates a full-sized CPU cooler, three 120mm fans, and a compact 5070 GPU.

The project's provided instructions were limited to images, lacking critical information on screw lengths and assembly order. The final assembled case showed structural sag, highlighting the limitations of 3D-printed components in load-bearing applications.

Chapter guide

Project IntroductionThe hosts introduce the MKO1 3D-printed PC case and discuss the goals of the build.Assembly ChallengesThe team discusses the tedious nature of the assembly, particularly the use of 132 magnets.Material SelectionThe hosts explain the choice of PETG over PLA for better heat resistance.Component PreparationThe team prepares the case components, including gluing magnets and removing support material.Instructional LimitationsThe hosts critique the provided image-only instructions for the MKO1 case.Hardware InstallationThe team begins installing the power supply, motherboard, and other internal components.System Boot TestThe team successfully boots the completed PC for the first time.Thermal PerformanceThe hosts monitor the CPU and GPU temperatures during a gaming session.

Worth noting

  • The MKO1 case is a custom, 3D-printed project and not a mass-produced commercial product.
  • The assembly process was described as tedious and difficult due to the lack of comprehensive instructions.
  • The structural integrity of the case is limited by the 3D-printing process and the reliance on magnets.
  • The video contains a sponsorship segment for Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN.

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