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Pfaffen · 18th Jan 2010, 23:41

I had an idea to make a scale version of a truly remarkable computer, the Cray-1.

Here is the idea on paper. You'll notice it was designed to support two complete computers (mobo, psu, dvd, hdd, etc...)

Here is the lay out on plywood. I plan on covering the lower part with Naugehide, like the original, so the plywood won't show through. Also, it is lighter than MDF or solid wood.

Here are the roughed in lines

another shot

Here is a shot with the Mobo and placeholders laid out

Here are the cutouts.

top and bottom

here they are together with the spacers

Here is a shot with the vertical pieces in place, dry-fit together.

Here is a view from the back.

Pfaffen · 18th Jan 2010, 23:43

Sorry, wrong last pic.

Here is the back.

Shadow703793 · 18th Jan 2010, 23:49

Nice. Any chance of installing Acrylic windows so you can see the guts of the system?

Like this:

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cray-1

Also, do you plan to keep the original Cray -1 colors?

Pfaffen · 18th Jan 2010, 23:53

I was playing with the idea... may just do that.

PureSilver · 19th Jan 2010, 00:08

Sweet. Supercomputers used to be built with so much more soul back in the day, things like Jaguar now are nothing more than big server farms. I miss monsters like the Cray-2, that needed coolant that costs $300 a gallon and still had a waterfall of it just because it looked cool...

jrs77 · 19th Jan 2010, 00:10

Why do you use multiple optical drives? A single USB-DVD would do it aswell, no?

Other then that, this is going to be huge

The_Beast · 19th Jan 2010, 00:13

very cool idea

Cheapskate · 19th Jan 2010, 03:06

Thee tower area just screams for radiators. *hint*

shakka65 · 19th Jan 2010, 03:21

WOW! Super Computer Super huge.
I hope you have a Super large desk to put it on.

jhanlon303 · 19th Jan 2010, 05:31

The cable management will be a problem since a Cray's wiring is measured in 0.01 mm and done with individual wires because of timing requirements. I interviewed with Seymour Cray in 1981. Brilliant engineer.
The insides:

/edit

Excellent idea by the way!

Shadow703793 · 19th Jan 2010, 14:24

^ Damn never knew that. Must have been a huge PITA to upgrade/fix.

Breach · 19th Jan 2010, 21:02

Very cool! The Cray 1 is probably my all time favorite old time computer, this will look awesome sitting beside a desk.

And good start, it already looks the part

Pfaffen · 19th Jan 2010, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs77

Why do you use multiple optical drives? A single USB-DVD would do it aswell, no?

Other then that, this is going to be huge

I had planned on one dedicated for each system. Wasn't sure I could slave a USB-DVD between them.

The overall dimensions are roughly 35" across and 25" tall. I does take up a lot of space though. May have to make a special stand for it.

Pfaffen · 19th Jan 2010, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapskate

Thee tower area just screams for radiators. *hint*

I know... I have been toying with the idea. There is soooo much space in there!

Pfaffen · 19th Jan 2010, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhanlon303

The cable management will be a problem since a Cray's wiring is measured in 0.01 mm and done with individual wires because of timing requirements. I interviewed with Seymour Cray in 1981. Brilliant engineer.
The insides:

/edit

Excellent idea by the way!

Thank you very much. I am envious. You have met and interviewed a truly brilliant man. I researched alot for the project and found he (Mr. Cray) had hired women (seamstresses) if I'm not mistaken to handle the myraid of individual wires to minimize the distance travelled.

I hope I can do justice to such an extraordinary computer.

Pfaffen · 19th Jan 2010, 22:20

Here is a shot of the back of the Cray at the Smithsonian in DC.

jhanlon303 · 19th Jan 2010, 23:25

I see your problem - it's the blue wire! - Field Engineer

Each of the early Cray computers were shipped with a dedicated Field Engineer( job they wanted me for). The engineer was hired when the order was placed and ONLY knew one box - his/hers.

The FE lived with the unit as it was being assembled, transported, installed, first boot, and turn over to customer. Serious money for serious dedication. Hardware and Unix software.

The_Beast · 20th Jan 2010, 01:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhanlon303

I see your problem - it's the blue wire! - Field Engineer

Each of the early Cray computers were shipped with a dedicated Field Engineer( job they wanted me for). The engineer was hired when the order was placed and ONLY knew one box - his/hers.

The FE lived with the unit as it was being assembled, transported, installed, first boot, and turn over to customer. Serious money for serious dedication. Hardware and Unix software.

Very cool little fact

confusis · 20th Jan 2010, 08:25

jhanlon303 - knows all, imparts wisdom in all he speaks to!

badders · 20th Jan 2010, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhanlon303

Each of the early Cray computers were shipped with a dedicated Field Engineer( job they wanted me for). The engineer was hired when the order was placed and ONLY knew one box - his/hers.

The FE lived with the unit as it was being assembled, transported, installed, first boot, and turn over to customer. Serious money for serious dedication. Hardware and Unix software.

Still done, with stuff like Radars.

18th Jan 2010, 23:41	#1
Pfaffen Supermodder Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 414	Cray-1 I had an idea to make a scale version of a truly remarkable computer, the Cray-1. Here is the idea on paper. You'll notice it was designed to support two complete computers (mobo, psu, dvd, hdd, etc...) Here is the lay out on plywood. I plan on covering the lower part with Naugehide, like the original, so the plywood won't show through. Also, it is lighter than MDF or solid wood. Here are the roughed in lines another shot Here is a shot with the Mobo and placeholders laid out Here are the cutouts. top and bottom here they are together with the spacers Here is a shot with the vertical pieces in place, dry-fit together. Here is a view from the back. __________________ Pfaffen Wood Case Mods: Completed: World Map, Fibonacci, Canary Mesa, Molesworth, Cray-1, Federal Cellarette, Newbery TARDIS Wood Case Mods: Under Construction: Vogel Haus, Four Hokusai Cases

18th Jan 2010, 23:43	#2
Pfaffen Supermodder Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 414	Sorry, wrong last pic. Here is the back. __________________ Pfaffen Wood Case Mods: Completed: World Map, Fibonacci, Canary Mesa, Molesworth, Cray-1, Federal Cellarette, Newbery TARDIS Wood Case Mods: Under Construction: Vogel Haus, Four Hokusai Cases

18th Jan 2010, 23:53	#4
Pfaffen Supermodder Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 414	I was playing with the idea... may just do that. __________________ Pfaffen Wood Case Mods: Completed: World Map, Fibonacci, Canary Mesa, Molesworth, Cray-1, Federal Cellarette, Newbery TARDIS Wood Case Mods: Under Construction: Vogel Haus, Four Hokusai Cases

19th Jan 2010, 00:08	#5
PureSilver E-tailer Tailor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,121	Sweet. Supercomputers used to be built with so much more soul back in the day, things like Jaguar now are nothing more than big server farms. I miss monsters like the Cray-2, that needed coolant that costs $300 a gallon and still had a waterfall of it just because it looked cool... __________________ Intel Core i7 920 @ 3Ghz, Noctua NH-U12P SE, Asus P6T Deluxe V1, Corsair 12GB (6x2GB) 1600Mhz C8 @ XMP, EVGA GTX-680, Corsair AX750, 2x Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB, Lian-Li V1020R with 3x Noctua NF-P12 & 3x NF-P14FLX 2.4Ghz 13" unibody MacBook, 4GB RAM & 128GB Samsung SSD

19th Jan 2010, 00:10	#6
jrs77 theorycrafting Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Finland Posts: 2,545	Why do you use multiple optical drives? A single USB-DVD would do it aswell, no? Other then that, this is going to be huge __________________ ...and allways remember, that the world is an orange! Define Mini Black [Gigabyte Z77MX-D3H \| intel i5-3450 \| Kingston HyperX DDR3-1600 8GB \| Gigabyte GTX660OC Windforce2 \| intel 330 120GB \| WD AV GP 1TB]

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18th Jan 2010, 23:49	#3
Shadow703793 Supermodder Join Date: May 2009 Location: Herndon, Virginia Posts: 331	Nice. Any chance of installing Acrylic windows so you can see the guts of the system? Like this: From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cray-1 Also, do you plan to keep the original Cray -1 colors?

19th Jan 2010, 00:13	#7
The_Beast I like wood ಠ_ಠ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 7,379	very cool idea __________________ - i7 3770k - MSI Z77A-GD65 - EVGA GTX 570 - 8Gb G.Skill Sniper (1.25v) - Fractal R3 Black - Corsair H50 - Corsair 750HX - Samsung 830 128Gb SSD - 6 Samsung F4EG 2TB - 2 WD Black 1TB - 2 WD Black 750GB - Dell UltraSharp U2410 - WASD V1 Custom - IBM Model M SSK - KBC Poker (Ergo-Clears) - Logitech Mx518 & G500 - Audio Technica AD700 - Logitech Z4 - Windows 7 Pro - Project: Make it Shine < - > Project: Make it Black

19th Jan 2010, 03:06	#8
Cheapskate ↓ Don't trust that face! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 6,983	Thee tower area just screams for radiators. hint __________________ BlooBalls·Hypnotoad·Plank·Reservoir-Things·AluBox Chopping·C7Waterblocks·GlassGreen Powered by: Danger Den·Hardware Labs·Noctua

19th Jan 2010, 03:21	#9
shakka65 Multimodder Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 107	WOW! Super Computer Super huge. I hope you have a Super large desk to put it on.

19th Jan 2010, 05:31	#10
jhanlon303 The Keeper of History Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Box under a Bridge, Iowa Posts: 9,264	The cable management will be a problem since a Cray's wiring is measured in 0.01 mm and done with individual wires because of timing requirements. I interviewed with Seymour Cray in 1981. Brilliant engineer. The insides: /edit Excellent idea by the way! __________________ My deepest gratitude to this community.

19th Jan 2010, 14:24	#11
Shadow703793 Supermodder Join Date: May 2009 Location: Herndon, Virginia Posts: 331	^ Damn never knew that. Must have been a huge PITA to upgrade/fix.

19th Jan 2010, 21:02	#12
Breach Modding in Exile Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 396	Very cool! The Cray 1 is probably my all time favorite old time computer, this will look awesome sitting beside a desk. And good start, it already looks the part __________________ Project :: Kaiten X [In Progress]

19th Jan 2010, 22:20	#16
Pfaffen Supermodder Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 414	Here is a shot of the back of the Cray at the Smithsonian in DC. __________________ Pfaffen Wood Case Mods: Completed: World Map, Fibonacci, Canary Mesa, Molesworth, Cray-1, Federal Cellarette, Newbery TARDIS Wood Case Mods: Under Construction: Vogel Haus, Four Hokusai Cases

19th Jan 2010, 23:25	#17
jhanlon303 The Keeper of History Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Box under a Bridge, Iowa Posts: 9,264	I see your problem - it's the blue wire! - Field Engineer Each of the early Cray computers were shipped with a dedicated Field Engineer( job they wanted me for). The engineer was hired when the order was placed and ONLY knew one box - his/hers. The FE lived with the unit as it was being assembled, transported, installed, first boot, and turn over to customer. Serious money for serious dedication. Hardware and Unix software. __________________ My deepest gratitude to this community.

20th Jan 2010, 08:25	#19
confusis Kiwi-modder Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 2,405	jhanlon303 - knows all, imparts wisdom in all he speaks to!

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