Raspberry Pi 4 Case – Retro Tower Desktop 3D Printer Model

Author: @
License: CC BY-NC
File formats: txt,stl
Download type: zip
Size:3.9MB

The file 'Raspberry Pi 4 Case – Retro Tower Desktop 3D Printer Model' is (txt,stl) file type, size is 3.9MB.

Summary

A retro style beige Raspberry Pi 4 tower case. It has a working power button, LED, and IO activity LED. The SD/microSD card can be inserted like a floppy disk to swap between different operating systems. It also has 2 HDMI ports, audio jack, and USB-C power on the rear of the case.
There is space for a 40mm exhaust fan and a 40mm or 50mm front intake fan. There is also enough space for a large cooler like the ICE tower.

I also made a Raspberry PI 5 version of the case as a remix. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6572558

NOTE:
There is now a slightly improved V2 of the case.
Changes:
Added version of case that is 1.5cm taller
Increased hole size for push button
Added hex cutout to use the included nut for a push button
Moved wall ridges to prevent interference with tall connections on GPIO
V2 cases still use the original side and front panel unless there was a size change

Parts needed (links at the end):

Micro SD to SD Card extender: 1
Micro HDMI to HDMI Adapter Cable: 2
Panel-Mount USB-C Extention Cable: 1
40mm 5V fan (for exhaust): 1
Low-Profile CPU Cooler or ICE Tower Cooler: 1
SPST Momentary Mini Push Button: 1
5mm LED with resistor: 1
3mm LED with resistor: 1
#6-32 UNC thumbscrew (standard PC case screw): 2
#6-32 UNC screw or M3 screw (standard PC case screw): 6
various wire/header connectors (for connecting fans/LEDs/power button)
Optional:
Front 5V 40mm/50mm fan: 1 (note: I've not needed this even when overclocking the Raspberry Pi)
Noctua NF-A4x10 to replace CPU Cooler fan: 1
Panel-Mount 3.5mm AUX Male to Female Extension Cable: 1 (note: pre-made cables may be too long and should be shortened.)

Assembly instructions

Prepare all parts

note: any places that require screwing plastic parts together can be replaced with glue if you are way too confident/lazy.

  • Print out all parts with whatever material/color you would like.
  • (optional but helpful) Use a thread tap on all screw holes

    Start Assembly

  • Tap threads for push button. If you don't have a tap, you can use the push button to create the threads. You may need to use a file to help make sure the push button fits if you don't have a tap.
  • Press fit 3mm LED into the main case. Glue can be added, but the press fit should hold it fine.
  • Press fit 5mm LED into the main case. Glue can be added, but shouldn't be needed.
  • Put SD card extender in the SD card tray and attach to the case with screws or glue. This may require a long screw driver that can reach through the fan grill or a very short one that will fit in the case. This is easer to do before anything else is in the way.
  • (Optional) Attach front fan with screws
  • Screw/Glue in front panel. Make sure LEDs are visible and the push button does not get stuck.
  • Put HDMI adaptors in the HDMI holder, but don't mount it in the case.

    Connect wires to the GPIO Header

  • (Optional) Make a simple splitter for the CPU/Case fan(s). I have the fans connected to 3.3V (pin 1) and ground (pin 9). The fans can use a 3.3V or 5V pin for power and any unused ground.
  • The push button goes across pin5/pin6 (polarity doesn't matter).
  • The power LED goes to pin8(+) and pin14(-).
  • The GPIO LED goes to pin35(+) and pin39(-).
  • Connect all wires, connectors, and micro SD card extender to the raspberry pi before carefully placing it in the case. At this point all cables/extenders should be connected to the Raspberry pi, but not the case. (note: if using the ICE or low profile heatsinks, they should not be attached at this point)

    Finish Assembly

  • Use the brass spacers/mounts/standoffs from the cooler to screw the Raspberry PI to the case. These 4 brass pieces should now be going through the Raspberry Pi's mount points into the case.
  • Add thermal paste or the thermal pad to the processor and attach the CPU cooler with the included screws.
  • Screw in the HDMI Holder.
  • Screw in the USB-C extender
  • Screw in the Audio jack
  • Attach the rear exhaust fan.
  • Slide the side panel on and add thumb screws

    config.txt setting

  • (Optional over clock setting -- Use at your own risk)
    # overclock
    arm_64bit=1
    hdmi_enable_4kp60=1
    over_voltage=15
    arm_freq_min=100
    arm_freq=2350
    gpu_freq=750
    gpu_mem=512
  • Enable GPIO LED and IO activity LED
    # Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README
    dtoverlay=act-led,gpio=19
    enable_uart=1
  • Enable the power button: https://github.com/Howchoo/pi-power-button

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YHN83NJ or https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X3Y4BBB
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K21HSQX
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075R7QBQD
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NEMGCIA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V35SXMC or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZV1LLWK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075LDGHHS/ or any similar button
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G4WXFX1/ or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G4XC341
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X622RJN or (preferably) make your own.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R9KN46J (these fans work well, but are a bit loud even at 3.3V)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CQPJJXY or https://www.walmart.com/ip/3ft-3-5mm-Mini-Stereo-TRS-Male-to-Female-Panel-Mount-Extension-Cable/248859634 or make your own https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01C3RFHDC

Although this case was made from scratch, I was inspired by this case by nilly667: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4362798. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to list this as a remix when it doesn't actually use anything from this case.

config_txt_example.txt 1.8KB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_Circular_Grill.stl 1.7MB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_Default.stl 1.7MB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_Front_Panel.stl 196.7KB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_HDMI_Holder.stl 72.5KB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_Large_Grill.stl 1.7MB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_SD_Tray.stl 129.7KB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_Side_Panel.stl 365.2KB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_V2_Circular_Grill.stl 1.7MB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_V2_Default.stl 1.7MB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_V2_Default_Tall.stl 1.8MB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_V2_Front_Panel_Tall.stl 196.4KB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_V2_Large_Grill.stl 1.7MB
Raspberry_PI_4_Retro_Case_V2_Side_Panel_Tall.stl 394.4KB