The computer in a box

Hello fellow internet enthusiasts.

Following on from last year's computer build (for mapping and games, and everyday use), I have set my sights on building a new low-rent media computer to sit attractively next to our TV.

After seeing this particular gem on reddit I was inspired to create our own 'wooden box' computer:

   

The aim was to create a computer that could fit comfortably and safely within a pretty wooden box. The box would appear just like any other ornamental box on our mantle piece. The computer should be able to:
Be controlled remotely via a TV remote control, or an xbox / equivalent controller
Have a very usable smart TV style graphic user interface (GUI)
Access to regular free-to-air TV
Access to overseas free-to-air if possible
Play netflix, hulu, youTube etc
Play all movie files from hard drive
Play music from spotify
Stream content from our other computer
Browse the web

It also needed to be cheap.
We had a lot of the simple parts laying around: Hard disc drives (HDD) ; wireless keyboard and mouse ; cooling fans ; entry level graphics card (GPU) Radeon 6670

The first requirement to look at was size. The motherboard needed to be the small ITX form factor (17cmX17cm). Unfortunately though, in Australia it was going to be very difficult coming across a MoBo similar to the one listed in the album above; meaning I would need to include a power supply (PSU). I wouldn't be able to simply link in a DC adapter straight to the MoBo, I also wouldn't be able to rely on a decent APU, which would mean either a very expensive CPU (core processing unit - the super chip that runs the whole thing), or a cheaper CPU and a low rent GPU (which I already had laying around).

My space restriction are now getting ridiculous. The power-supply (PSU) is by far the largest bulkiest part of the build, and the graphics card (GPU comes in second). It would be nice to be able to do without both of these.... Challenge!

First stop: finding a box that I could cram all this into. Went for this one from Howard's Storage World.
Next I needed to figure out the cheapest, yet highest performing combination of MoBo, CPU, RAM, and PSU.
Skip this bit if you have already lost interest.
Power Supply: Seasonic SS-350TGM 350W 80Plus Gold Modular TFX PSU
CPU: Intel Core i3 4150
RAM: Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3
MoBo: ASRock B85M-ITX Mini ITX Motherboard

Photos of the process:

Most of the parts assembled...

Getting a basic idea of the fit size.

this box is going to have to change.

CPU, cooler, and RAM installed

All wired up to check possible Tetris outcomes. This is looking impossible; especially considering possible meltdown

Time to 'mod' this box a bit more

Becoming hilariously less box-like every moment

The new box with some mounting brackets

some bare wood screws poking through to check that it will all fit before the (hopefully) final mounting.

OK checking wiring is all working.So far so Good

Ok it is actually fitting in there, this is unbelievable. I feel like it will burn down the house.

Running through early installs. Tennis ball propping lid open. I will have to build an arm for that.

I will update the blog once I have installed all the required software and am happy with how it is running.
I am hoping to run Myth TV with XBMC and Steam streaming through Ubuntu. Might take a bit of tweeking :)