Pelican Case PC

As I embark on lengthy voyages at sea, the familiar comforts of gaming have become a cherished escape from the vast expanse of ocean. Especially after a long 12 hour shift. But for years, my trusty work laptop’s outdated hardware limited me to retro classics like Counter-Strike and Age of Empires II. Recently, I seized the opportunity to upgrade my desktop computer after a decade of faithful service, and a bold idea began to take shape: repurposing the old parts into a portable, rugged “pelican case” PC - a cyberdeck capable of bringing modern gaming to the high seas.

PC Components

The original desktop PC, built in 2014, was revamped by reusing several components. Initially equipped with a Gigabyte Windforce GTX780 graphics card, I upgraded it to a Gigabyte Windforce GTX1070 in 2016-17. The system’s core components included:

• Intel i5-4590 CPU
• ASUS Z83 Motherboard
• 24GB of RAM
• 2TB SSD
• ATX PSU

For this custom build, I added several features:

• A 5.25-inch front panel insert with USB ports, card readers, SATA connector, microphone, and stereo audio 3.5mm jacks
• An Adafruit amplifier stereo board connected to an audio taper potentiometer which amplified the motherboard audio output for two small speakers built into the case.

Design and Build

I decided to mount the monitor into the larger part of the case rather than the lid, to limit having to route cables between the two hinged parts of the case. This means the keyboard and mouse with their USB-C charging cables are the only externally wired case components. It also means the 5.25-inch IO panel fits nicely below the monitor.

Motherboard Support Frame

The case was a B&W 6700 that I got half-priced on an online sale. I designed all of the internal framing and monitor and keyboard panels using CAD, and printed it on a Bambu Lab X1C. The motherboard/GPU support frame and PSU frame were mounted to two stainless steel M10 threaded rods, which were secured via holes drilled into the case.

GPU Frame

Mounted above the motherboard frame was the graphics card on its own frame. This frame used an PCIE 16x extender cable so that the graphics card wasn’t mounted into the motherboard, and thus could better fit into tight space constraints of the case. A retaining brace is mounted over the top of the graphics card, designed with extra clearance for the fan.

PSU Frame

The PSU Frame holds the PSU and the SSDs that store the operating system and my files. This frame just matches the usual M3 bolt pattern on an ATX PSU and provides large holes for air flow for the PSU’s internal cooling fan. One SSD is mounted on the side of the frame.

Monitor Panel

The front panel of the Pelican Case is designed as one large panel that holds the:

• 18.5-inch monitor
• Adafruit speakers
• Analog Potentiometer with aluminium knob
• Audio Amplifier (internally)
• 4x 40mm case fans (2 blowing in and 2 blowing out)
• Power LED
• Power Momentary Toggle Switch with cover
• 5.25-inch front panel

The front panel is also mounted to a stainless steel M10 threaded rod, as wel as a bunch of M4 bolts that fasten through drilled holes in the case. There are also some control buttons that pivot about a bolt and press monitor controls, but they are pretty useless.

The panel was split into six parts that were printed and fastened together.

Keyboard and Mouse Panel

The keyboard and mouse are retained in a panel that mounts to the lid of the pelican case. The keyboard is permanently restained while the mouse has a small sliding bolt that locks it in transit. The keyboard is the Lofree Block mechanical keyboard, while the mouse is the Lofree Touch mouse. I picked them as they have a “Cassette-Futurism” aesthetic that matches a “cyber deck” build.

Other Components

In addition to the other parts, I also have an external Cat-6e RJ-45 connector with waterproof cover which is connected to the motherboard on the top of the case, along with a IEC connector with 10A fuse and switch with green power LED for powering it. Unfortunately it is not battery powered, but it was easier to get a this tested and tagged for use on the ship without a home made Lithium Ion or LiFePO4 battery pack.

Stickers

The last bit of personal touch is the case stickers, and the power switch cover. I designed a 3D printed missile switch cover with a yellow black hazard pattern, (they were about AUD100 to buy from Digi-Key), and a bunch of stickers related to games, movies and government UFO programs:

• Halo
• Age of Empires
• Deep Rock Galactic
• Helldivers
• War Games (1980s movie)
• Hotline Miami
• Portal
• Counter-Strike
• Alien and Aliens
• Kerbal Space Program
• Stranger Things

Usage

For the past month, I’ve been putting my gaming PC to the test onboard the Nuyina. I’ve enjoyed playing a range of titles, including Nuclear Option, a flight simulator, Halo: Combat Evolved, and Grand Theft Auto V. The system’s performance when operating has been of no complaint. One notable drawback is its substantial weight, which rules out transporting it up five flights of stairs from my Deck 4 cabin to the Deck 9 observation lounge. Beyond gaming, I’ve also leveraged the system for CAD modeling with Solidworks and some software development.