The ATI/AMD 64-Bit Shuttle PC by ZapWizard

This project is going to be a showcase for the ATI Radeon 9800XT, and the AMD Athlon64
It will go with ATI to different shows and events to show off the products inside.

Most recent update:
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showpost.php?p=664590&postcount=399

Also if you just want to see the eye candy, I have a locked thread for your viewing at the AMD Forums here:
http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=14661

There is also a thread at the Rage3D website for ATI fans:
http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33759575

And a thread at the Sudhian forums for Shuttle fans:
http://forums.sudhian.com/messageview.cfm?catid=46&threadid=57976

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The ATI / AMD 64-Bit Shuttle PC

(Click for larger image)


This project is being built for ATI to showcase at events, and for gamers to play on.

This will be a mean looking and super fast 64-bit Shuttle PC.
So this project has to be great looking, and a gaming PC.

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Now for a taste of the mods to come:
(Images made in trueSpace3)



The left side will have a tinted window featuring the graphics card.
The window and card will be using orange, amber, and red LEDs to create a flaming effect inside the PC and graphics card.

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The right side will have a window with the "ATI Get in the GAME" Logo.
This will be backlit using white LEDs
I may have more flame effect at the bottom of the window.

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The top will have a AMD Athlon 64 Logo, backlit using white LEDs
Plus an actual Athlon 64 chip, with deep green lighting coming out from behind the pins.
The extra Athlon64 at the top will be just for looks, and is already a non-functioning part that I have.

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The front will have the most customizations.
First, a custom black painted alluminum plate backing, with a plexi glass cover.
The saw blade will be custom cut, and in-set into the plexi.
In the middle will be the bulgin switch, with LEDs for harddrive and network flanking the sides.
The Bulgin switch will flash off in sync with DVD disk activity.
The single Bulgin switch will handle both DVD eject and system power.

The front will have 4 custom 7-pin jacks that will connect to the various USB perephrials.
(The extra pins are for expandability in customizing the perephrials)

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Here are the PC parts:
AMD Athlon 64 3400+







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ATI Radeon 9800XT


ATI Radeon 9800XT 256MB built by ASUS

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Shuttle SN85G4L Shuttle PC



The external dimensions are (L)295mm x (W)200mm x (H)180mm

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1GB of Corsair XMS Cas2 PC3200 400Mhz DDR



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36GB Western Digital Raptor SATA Harddrive



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Pioneer 120S Slot load DVD Drive



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Logitech Stereo USB Headset 200



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Logitech Elite USB Keyboard



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Logitech MX510 Performance Optical mouse



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Pre-Modded parts:
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Red Anodized Aluminum Thumbscrews



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Red Anodized Thermaltake Memory Cooling


(On back-order)

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Red Anodized Thermaltake Tiger1 Chipset Cooler


(On back-order)
The fan will not be used.
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Red Anodized Aluminum 80mm Chome Fan



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Red Anodized Aluminum 60mm Chome Fan



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Bulgin Red Vandal Resistant Illuminated Ring Switch



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PC Toys Flame Mouse Pad


(I already had this gaming pad lying around)

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Red Neon SATA Cable



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Other parts
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Cooler Master Copper RAM sinks
(For use on shuttle motherboard parts)



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Custom 7-pin metal connectors



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Pioneer DVD Backlight Mod

To keep things moving fast I will only be taking images once a modification is complete, rather then a step-by-step.

I have a guide for this mod here:
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=23375

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The Pioneer DVD Model 120S

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Backlight day shot using clear CD
(The kind that come as a protector in a stack of CDRs)

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Daytime edge shot

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Night-time Edge Shot

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Night-shot

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The DVD will also directly run the Bulgin Switch.
The switch LED will turn off when the DVD is active, and remain on when the DVD is inactive.
The Bulgin switch will be the only switch on the front of the PC, and will be used for DVD eject.

The power and reset will be located on the back of the PC.

 

ATI sent me the special edition ASUS built model of the Radeon 9800XT.
This is a 256MB card with two clear fans.
It also has video-in and a few special features.

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I used two Red LEDs and a single Orange LED (All 3mm size)
They create a beautiful flaming effect.

This image doesn't do it justice, as there is a gradient of color between the middle and edges of the fans.

I may not use Yellow LEDs at all in this mod, as they mix with red, and turn everything orange.

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The night shots show the true effect much better.

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This shot is of the card during burn-in on my main system.

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Please post questions only, to keep the thread short

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FIRST POST!

Oh wow, that is just sexy Okay, forget what I originally posted Wasnt paying enough attention to the drive Are you going to anodize the exposed metal parts of the components and case? I think that would make it look really cool if you do so

God, I am Mr. Edit today

 

Umm, the drive is slot loading...
I am working on electronic circuits (Flame and security) so no more images until the actual shuttle case arrives.

/Edit...respose to the above edit...

The case already has a nice black paint job, that I probably won't change.
In either case ther Red effects should be highights, rather then the main color.

As for the internal case parts, they are alluminum, so I can either shine them up to a chrome shine, or try painting them also.
But they may be just left alone, it all depends on time.

 

You really do love those Pioneer drives, don't you? I actually have one myself. I just wish they made a slot loading cdrw to go next to it

Curiosity question, how loud is the vid card? I'm spec'ing a system and have the dual goals of performance and quiet.

Looks awesome. Hope ATI likes it.

 

Well I have used the slot drives for years now, I don't think I will ever go back.
Ya they need a CD-RW, I have even been thinking about trying a conversion, but much later down the road.

The ASUS build card is very quiet, slightly less noise then the stock ATI Radeon.
The tempatures seem about the same, and so far the benchmark the same.
But I feel that this card could overclock better then a stock ATI Card.

 

I'm actually thinking about sinking the money into a laptop combo drive so I can make everything slot loading in the system I'm designing. It just pains me to spend $150 on anything less than a dvd burner

Cool. I've got a bit as I'm waiting for the socket 939 chips, but I may end up going with this card. Thanx.

 

...trippy i have the same mouse; I love mine, great maximum sensitivity for the hardcore gamer.

Just a thought but wouldnt it make for sence to use an ATI brand VidCard...ie built by ATI, for an ATI sponsored case?
[edit]now that i bothered to read the one line that i skipped earlier i learned why you chose the ASUS brand[/edit]

 

Great looking project, zap... It's going to be better than the renders Good luck!

 

Well in either case the offical ATI cards are still third party (Corsair I think makes them) They are just a little more officaly branded.
I suggested the card to ATI for the clear fan setup, but in the end they decided which card.
I did move the ATI sticker on my 9800XT to the molex on the ASUS though.

 

How did you get the Red and Orange LEDs to light up with the fans? Are they wired directly to the video card or are they powered by and outside source? (ie. Molex) Because I noticed the card wasnt plugged into a mobo when the LEDs where on for some of the pictures.

 

The wires for the LEDs are very well hidden.
The LEDs are attached to the backside of the chromed piece.
The power lead then runs to the right side, then it actualy runs through some empty space between one of the heatsinks.
(The finned parts are actualy anodized alluminum, and screwed on)
It then passes under the card, and back underneath the backside heatsink, and then is soldered directly to the molex pins.
It is nearly invisible.

The board was plugged in, using the normal molex in the images, it caused no damage to the card.

 

thats a fair bit of cash your playing with there, but i admire your skill, seeing your other log, truly incredible

 

Here is some more eye candy, and parts I hadn't photographed yet.

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The Bulgin switch lit up.

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The non-fucntional Athlon 64. This is actualy a mobile part as it does not have a heat spreader.
I have already tested with some green 3mm LEDs, and the effect I want under the pins will work great.

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The fasteners for the case windows and front panel.
I have come up with a few new ideas for the case windows.

Rather then cut in holes, I will offset the windows by 1/4" away from the side of the case.
This will allow air to flow into the case very easily.

The dome nuts will be on the inside.
The outside hex bolts will be secured into the case, attaching the windows.
The actual hex head will then be filled so that the bolts cannot be removed from the outside of the case, giving them an anti-theft property.

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Some furniture castors that I will use as case feet.
The thread will have to be cut down for the shuttle motherboard.

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Over 160 LEDs!
There are zero cold cathodes in the plans.

Why LEDs only? They allow for very consistant coloring, they don't generate heat, and I can design a more precise effect using them.

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Clear Lexan sheets for the case windows and faceplate.
1/4" Acrylic will be used also in a few places.

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The security circuit and key-lock.
I have 25% of the circuit on a proto-board. (The other 75% is just the same anyways)

 

all i got to say is WOW i love all the red.. and i'm sure as heck happ i don't got to wire all those leds..

Also i'd like to thank you for all the time you put into making your posts it makes it such a treat to read..

 

Are you going to rig up those LEDs to some sort of controller to get some nice sequences and programable settings? I would think that would get more attention for the case as well as look really nice. Who can resist a case with swirling lights?? I know I can't....

 

Ooh another ZapWizard project *pitches tent and gets a lawnchair*

 

do you need a tissue for that brown stuff on your nose?

 

The side window (Graphics card side) will have a random flaming effect.

The lighting behind the sawblade will have a similar effect, but it will also have a spinning effect too, where the flames look almost like it is spinning.

There will be twelve sets of three leds behind the blade.

I am still experimenting with a few different circuits that I may use.
With so many LEDs it needs to be kept simple, and small, as a lot of circuits will be needed.

The PSU side window will be backlit white, mabye with some red/orange hints added in.
The bottom will be lit green, and the top also.

Also non of the effect LEDs should be directly visible, so they keep a glow effect rather then direct effect.