RkBlog

Trying out PC-JMK5-Cool V-slot open PC case

2020-11-23

V-slot aluminum profiles are used to construct various mechanical devices including CNC machines, thermal printers and more. There are also PC open case kits that can be adapted and extended to your desires. Let's take a look at what V-slot is and how a V-slot PC case looks like.

V-slot panel
V-slot panel

V-slot and T-slot

To make construction of various DIY devices easier a sort of a standard have been created. T-slot or V-slot profiles are just aluminum beams shaped according to a standard that makes connecting things very easy. Their side rails allow for easy connecting of profiles to create given shape or for attaching other components via brackets. Here is an overview:

V-slot overview

V-slot PC cases

On Aliexpress and some local stores you should be able to find V-slot based PC case kits, mostly made by QDIY. Those are kits for open horizontal or vertical PC case/test bench based on 20x20 mm aluminum profiles.

I picked up a vertical PC-JMK5-Cool 5 kit that supports ATX and mATX motherboards. The kit comes with all needed beams, screws and mounting accessories. It also includes some extras: power button with a plexi bracket, PCIe slots mounting bracket and front fan/mounting plexi bracket. There is a manual although the drawings aren't super detailed.

You can watch one of such kits being assembled on video below:

PC-JMK5-Cool 5 assembly
PC-JMK5-Cool 5 kit
PC-JMK5-Cool 5 kit
PC-JMK5-Cool 5 brackets
PC-JMK5-Cool 5 brackets
Front panel fan bracket
Front panel fan bracket

So what's the point of using V-slot? The main advantages are:

And there are some disadvantages as well:

Square nut goes into the slot making mounting L-brackets in desired spots easy
Square nut goes into the slot making mounting L-brackets in desired spots easy

Building a V-slot case

I used the PC-JMK5-Cool 5 kit. I've excluded the front plexi fan panel as the GPU was longer and blocked it usage (and I don't really see a need for those fans yet). I've also dropped the PCIe bracket as it interfered with the GPU video outputs. Instead I used two custom beams I bought separately in a local shop (will have to get shorter ones for better look).

Two profiles from local shop
Two profiles from local shop

Overall the construction is very sturdy. Construction did require some tweaking and fixing as you go but I managed to build the whole PC. The power supply is located on the back and you have to route the cables to the motherboard and the GPU. Gainward RTX 3070 does have it PCIe power connectors on the middle so I couldn't use EVGA L bracket - cables have to be routed up to the middle of the GPU. Some cable management wasn't possible as the connectors could not fit in between the frame and the motherboard when it's screwed in (if you really want to you could partially unscrew it to do some better cable routing.

Motherboard standoffs go into the slot and can be positioned as desired
Motherboard standoffs go into the slot and can be positioned as desired
PC-JMK5-Cool 5 constructed
PC-JMK5-Cool 5 constructed
PCIe bracket and corner brackets
PCIe bracket and corner brackets
PSU bracket
PSU bracket

The QDYI kit uses inside hidden corner brackets to connects profiles together. I would say that thick solid L-brackets would be better for even more rigidity. For lighter components it's not an issue though.

L-bracket on top and inside hidden corner bracket on the bottom
L-bracket on top and inside hidden corner bracket on the bottom
GPU supported by two 20x20 aluminum profiles won't move
GPU supported by two 20x20 aluminum profiles won't move
Front panel I/O panel
Front panel I/O panel
Front panel I/O panel
PSU mounting
PSU mounting
PSU mounting

And the semi-final result:

PC in a V-slot case
PC in a V-slot case
PC in a V-slot case

IKEA of PC cases

PC case from aluminum profiles will be an oddity but for people wanting something custom this could be a fun project. The panels and accessories are quite cheap and come in various sizes. Aliexpress has various kits available. Some 20x20 V-slot some simpler, less versatile simple profiles - check and choose wisely.

Comment article