Lenovo Thinkcenter Tiny M910q M80Q M.2 to PCIe adapter cage

thingiverse

This is a PCIe cage that connects to Lenovo Thinkcenter Tiny M910Q/M80Q machines. The idea is to use a flexible M.2 to PCIe slot adapter to add additional networking cards to the device. - [ADT-Link M.2 to PCIe adapter](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XMK7ZCR?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) For the M910Q/M80Q machines, the M.2 slot is on the underside of the machine. These cages are designed to be attached to the back of the motherboard chassis with regular motherboard screws. The clearances you get from each screw hole vary, so use the attached washers. ~~For the M900, the idea is to knock out one of the extension holes in the back of the machine, and then thread the M.2 to PCIe adapter through it and through a hole in the back of the cage (this hasn't been made quite yet though it's an easy alteration). You could then just tied the cage to the machine with rubber bands!~~ Edit: After playing some playing around, it's clear that this design won't be viable with the ADT-Link adapters. I'll work on something different for the M900. The walls of the cage are held together by 30mm M3 bolts and M3 nuts. - [M3 30m bolts](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07M682X8M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - [M3 nuts](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DX3TQD1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1i) To assemble the back wall, you need to super glue the PCIe clipon piece to the end of the pcie slot. The PCIe block piece, goes in the hole on the other end of the PCIe slot, you must first place an M3 nut in the hex hole, then super glue the block into the hole above it. You can then use a regular M3 motherboard screw to fasten a PCIe card in place. Note, the PCIe slot only accepts full height brackets. The front wall is designed to accommodate 40mm fans, there is just about enough room to fit in these 20mm deep Noctua fans and a Mellanox ConnectX-3 card: - [Noctua NF-A4x20 5V PWM](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071FNHVXN?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) - [Mellanox CX353A-FCBT](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mellanox-CX353A-FCBT-ConnectX-3-CX353A-EbidDealz/dp/B07L4ZY9VM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=I6S36JMG6HOJ&keywords=mellanox+connectx-3+FDR&qid=1685791861&s=computers&sprefix=mellanox+connectx-3+fdr%2Ccomputers%2C52&sr=1-1) Unfortunately with the ADT-Link adapter, the third fan must be a 10mm deep fan. - [Noctua NF-A4x10 5V PWM](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NEMGCIA?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1) Note that Mellanox cards use 12V, so you must attach an external PSU (dodgy paperclip technique pictured). If you only need 10GBase-T, I recommend a TP-Link card, this can be powered via USB to SATA connectors. - [TP-Link 10Gb PCIe x4 card](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08DVGMKWP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - [Aukson USB to SATA Power Adapter](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0752D5MCL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) There are no fan headers to plug in 12V fans on the backs of these machines. 5V Fans can be powered by USB with a simple connector like this. - [Winwill USB to PC Fan Cable](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08SVZD8MK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) I printed these prototypes in Black PLA with a Prusa Mini but would recommend a larger printer model to avoid wasteful support material. I'm currently trying to print this in PETG for extra heat resistance. For more information, see my blog: https://blog.securityphilistine.com