August 11, 2026 8:47 pm  

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share my current WIP: a fully custom, highly compact eGPU enclosure. I was tired of the bulky off-the-shelf options and wanted to build something that perfectly fits my GPU (300mm long 3 fan GPU), while keeping thermals and cable management strictly under control.

Here are the core specs and design choices so far:

• Hybrid Construction:The main chassis/skeleton is a laser-cut and tack-welded sheet metal core (forming a rigid H-profile). The decorative elements, corner mounts, and specific functional parts will be 3D printed later one, as I still didnt finish the metal construct.
• True Sandwich Layout: The GPU sits on one side, while the PSU and power distribution are entirely isolated on the back. A solid steel middle plate provides excellent thermal and mechanical separation.<
• The Hardware: Built around the ADT-Link UT3G. Power is supplied by a Mean Well LOP-500 open-frame PSU.
• Cooling Concept:
  • A custom 3D-printed fan duct (shroud) directly on the PSU to eliminate the fan's dead spot and distribute the air evenly across the components.
  • An 80mm exhaust fan specifically positioned to catch the blow-through heat from the GPU's backplate and push it directly out of the case.
  • Large hex-mesh cutouts (5mm) on the top and bottom plates to utilize natural convection.
• Power Distribution: Instead of a messy cable tree, I integrated a mini DIN rail (Hutschiene) with Phoenix Contact PTVFIX connectors. It distributes the 12V from the Mean Well PSU to the GPU and the ADT-Link board.
• Next Steps: Finalizing the side panels (they will be removable, screwed into 3D-printed threaded corner inserts)

Done with some more parts like the front panel with integrated display and the first side panel. Yet I'm indecisive of my final design choice. Shattered glass or circuit like.

Would like to get some feedback too.