Scratch Build – In Progress FFF: slow restart, voiding warranties

Welcome to my worklog for my Shuttle Powerhouse project!
This first post is 'under construction', but for now, lets just start with an index:
===+++++++++INDEX+++++++++++===
Current status: 09-02-2008: Production, 80% done

Updates:

• 05-02-2009: Project announced, planning thread openend
• [post=1916909]05-02-2009[/post]: First sketchup drawings posted.
• [post=1917647]07-02-2009[/post]: Design updated.
• [post=1919920]11-02-2009[/post]: Donor case arrived, and given 'the treatment'
• [post=1970021]26-04-2009[/post]: Project kicks into gear, major (sloppy) construction is underway!
• [post=1989046]18-05-2009[/post]: Panic build for a LAN, epic failure abound!
• [post=1993225]22-05-2009[/post]: Panic build Vol. 2, epic processor upgrade!
• [post=1996407]26-05-2009[/post]: Panic build Vol. 2, cont'd
• [post=1916658]04-06-2009[/post]: Fanmail
• [post=2046925]23-07-2009[/post]: Fresh Fusion light... A complete build!
• [post=2147795]14-11-2009[/post]: Resurrection!
• [post=2151650]19-11-2009[/post]: Name change and text update
• [post=2184725]30-12-2009[/post]: First building steps plus hardware cheesecake!
• [post=2186212]01-01-2010[/post]: Happy newyear with a mockup!
• [post=2365063]16-07-2010[/post]: Slow restart, voiding warranties

===+++++++++First Post+++++++++++===

Hey guys!

Well, here is my announcement for my upcoming project. I recently cancelled Fresh Fusion in favour of this project.
Here's what i'll do: I will attempt to put a full-power gaming rig in a teeny tiny shuttle.

I'm doing this because i work abroad 4 days a week, and spend three nights in a hotel. I'd very much like to take my PC with me. A Shuttle PC can be carried inconspicuously inside my backpack, so i can handle it easily on the train.

The outer dimensions of the shuttle are (w)210 mm x (h)220 mm x (d)320 mm. In other words, puny! A normal ATX motherboard is 305 mm x 244 mm!

So what am i going to put in there? Here's the full list for the original plan:
updated 18-5!

• Dfi LanParty JR P45-t2rs (microATX board, 244mm x 244mm)
• QX9770 @3,75GHz watercooled.
• Block: Koolance CPU-300 H06
• 4870 1GB OC, cooled by Thermalright HR-03 GT
• 8GB GEIL Black Dragon DDR2-800 4-4-4-12
• 3x F1 750GB: 2TB RAID0
• Be Quiet dark Power Pro 680W
• 2x 12cm fan
• 1x 22cm fan
• Asetek Waterchill 12V Extreme pump
• 24cm Black Ice Extreme radiator + fan
• 4x CCFL
• Fancontroller

It's changed quite dramatically since, here's the list as per 30-12-09:

• Intel Core I7 860 @ 4GHz
• Asus Maximus III Gene
• 4GB DDR3, undecided which as long as it's black.
• Asus ATI HD4890 @ 1000/4800. (to be replaced by 2x HD5870 when available and affordable)
• 3x F1 750GB: 2TB RAID0
• CoolerMaster M1000 PSU
• Samsung slot-loading DVD burner
• 2x San Ace 120mm fan
• 2x XSPC RX120 rads
• AquaComputer AquaStream Ultra pump
• WaterCool HK rev3.0 CPU block
• Swiftech MCW-60 4890 GPU block
• FrozenQ Liquid Fusion custom Reservoir
• Mimo U-740 7" USB touchscreen

This post is just a teaser, to get your collective curiosity going.
To answer some of your questions:
Yes, i will fit all that kit in there
Yes, i will get everything properly cooled
No, at no point during construction will i require a smelter
Yes, i will cheat a tiny bit and exceed the 21x22x32 envelope... but just by a few cm!

First pictures will come this weekend, when i get the hardware, and maybe i can explain some of the design concepts in sketchup before that. I hope you guys will give me as much support and motivation on this one as on Fresh Fusion.

Oh, one more thing... i cant seem to decide on a name... please help me out here!

 

There is only one possible name for something like this, Tardis ( a vehicle from doctor Who renowned for being larger on the inside than it is on the outside.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Moriquendi

 

Oh, I'm looking forward to this. I've been a long time fan of Shuttles, having owned 4 of them in the past. I'll be watching...

 

Tardis... i like it, that may just become the real name...
All i could come up with were stupid witty things like the Credit Cruncher or the noSpace Shuttle.

Glad to have you on board Craig, i'm a big fan of your Rogue, which is a major inspiration for me to do this.

 

No good. If he has to do a rebuild it would be called the 'Re-Tardis'. (-Probably an old joke to the UK...)

 

I can't wait to see the project and how you make it

Hmmm, although - how close would I be in guessing that the motherboard will be on an angle to fit it in?

 

sounds like a cool project. definitely keeping my eyes on it!

 

OI! thanks for spotting that

Damn you!




Those are some really preliminary sketches, i have no idea if this will look anything like the final design

Thanks mate, i'll try to keep you entertained

 

Ah! that's a lot more interesting design than I was imagining - I REALLY can't wait to see how this goes now

 

Well, i'm using a flexible PCIe risercard, it gives me a lot of freedom to put the card wherever i want it. And with this terribly cool mATX board i can reach around the back and put the card there.

 

wow, That's some crazy stuff going on there good luck!

 

I like your concepts man! I love your efficient use of available space.

 

Brilliant idea! Have you thought about how to secure your graphics card? It would have to be sturdy if it travels abroad every week, especially with an HR-03 on top.
Btw, there's a model of the HR-03 available on the SCC.

subscribed!

 

Thanks, i'll need it!

No wai! i still have way too much air in there!

Thanks for the heads-up! I'll make a proper model when i'm done moving stuff around. Right now i just wanna keep it as light as possible on my poor little laptop

 

OK, another small update!

Here's a pic of the actual shuttle i'll receive tomorrow:


And here's an updated design picture:



Another thing that occured to me is that with the current design i cannot escape using an A-frame to mount the hardware to, and use as a way of obtaining structural integrity. More on that later.

I've had too much beer to go on. More tomorrow when the goodies arrive!

 

Is that an SN25P, with so what you doing with the old motherboard? hint hint!

 

Yes it is.
If you want the motherboard, i'm willing to send it to you for postage. It supposedly has some problems though, so no succes guaranteed

To quote the original owner:
"probably defective motherboard, i used all the other parts in a new PC and that one works, so it's probably the motherboard or the BIOS. No other way to test. The mobo led does burn, and the fans all spin."

Since i haven't got compatible hardware lying around, i cant test either.

 

If he hasn't tried clearing the BIOS he'll be kicking himself when he realises

 

Set the beer down for a minute and give us an update... you're overdue!

 

lmao! You got that right!

The real reason i was drinking beer though was that my laptop battery ran out... and i left the charger at work A few more hours mate