External PCI-E Card Enclosure for Aoostar WTR Pro Mini Server/NAS

External PCI-E Card Enclosure for Aoostar WTR Pro Mini

The Goal:

My goal was to replace my old NAS/home server with an AMD-powered Aoostar WTR Pro Mini. However, my old server contains a PCI-E 1x DVB-S2 card used for receiving, recording, and broadcasting TV channels over the LAN. The Aoostar WTR Pro features a third M.2 slot, which allows you to connect a PCI-E card using an M.2-to-PCI-E adapter. I designed this enclosure specifically for this setup.
(Note: During the testing phase, a network card was used instead of the DVB-S2 card)

The models were made in FreeCAD, I have also attached the FreeCAD file. The design goal was, printing it without support.

pcie_case-complete-view.3mf file is just for a complete 3d preview on this page

Hardware / Bill of Materials (BOM):

• 1x M.2 Key A-E to PCI-E adapter

• 4x M3x10 flat head / button head screws (to mount the top part to the original chassis)

• 2x M3x10 flat head / button head screws & 2x M3 threaded inserts (to secure the adapter)

• 4x M4x10 countersunk screws (with 90-degree heads) & 4x M4 threaded inserts (to mount the bottom enclosure to the top)

• 1x M4x5 flat head / button head screw & 1x M4 (5mm height) threaded insert (to secure the PCI-E card)

• 1x FDD power cable (or splitter) for the adapter's 12V power connector (and to the PCI-E card if needed
  

Note / Warning:

Unfortunately, there is no internal 12V power source available inside the Aoostar WTR Pro Mini, so I had to tap into the 12V rail directly from the riser card's PCB. It is not a pretty solution, so proceed at your own risk!

Future Improvements / Roadmap possibilities:

• Rubber / TPU feet 

• Ventilation holes

UPD:

v1.1 top case with ventilation holes