Scratch Build – Complete Project Duality - Custom Desk PC

Datulab · 12 Feb 2021

Hello there,
I just recently got back into the whole modding realm, after taking a bit of a break for 2 years, focusing on other things. I have some epic projects coming up that I can't wait to share with you, but for now, I'll post about one that I did about 3 years ago.
The goal with this build was to create the most outrageous, huge, and over the top desk PC with almost a bit of a spaceship commandcenter vibe. At the same time, it should also have as much free space to work on as possible. The systems housed in it are a gaming/productivity system on the right, that is fully water-cooled, and a NAS server on the left with enough storage for lots of videos.

The specs are quite outdated by now, but here they are:
Gaming system:
I7 5820k
MSI X99A SLI Plus
GTX 970
16GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
512GB Samsung 970 Evo
Dual 480mm radiators from EK and a bunch more EK stuff

NAS (still running without a problem today):
4x 3TB WD Red Hard drives
120GB SSD (cache)
Xeon E3-1226 V3
ASRock E3C226D2I ITX Server Mobo
8GB ECC Memory

General hardware:
40in 4k monitor from Phillips
Beyerdynamics DT550 headphones on custom build stand
Cooler Master mechanical keyboard with metal keycaps

The main materials used in construction are 2 Ikea Alex drawers that have been shortened, a bunch of 19mm MDF, some aluminum panels, and reclaimed pallet wood for the rustic exterior. I also used 3D printing to create various little mounts and connectors.

The lighting is handled by some generic static LED strips behind the desk and an NZXT Hue+ inside the systems. I also routed tubing throughout the desk to have the showcase reservoir in the middle. The panel on the right of the reservoir is the front I/O with some custom buttons to control the lighting.

I won't go into too much detail on the construction here, but I made a series of videos you can check out here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzcD3pbxIKwKcSInbFR7lLOXWEZYu_bcY

So here are some pictures of the finished build:

I hope you enjoyed this build as much as I did, it took quite a few months to build, but I think the results were absolutely worth it.

-David