Project: BIOSHOCK

[Plague282]

I've been modding pc's ever since I was 13, but never really did a full ground-up chassis. Well I'm a senior in high school now and for an independent study I took up custom chassis design. I was thinking of themes to do, and then Bioshock popped into my head. The more I think about it the sweeter it looks. Not only that, but the computer itself is going to be a monster too.

Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme
790i mobo (or Intel skulltrail undecided)
8gb Patriot Extreme DDR3
3 x 9800GTX's
2 x 150gb Raptor HD's
2 x 1tb Hitachi Hd's
X-FI Elite edition
2 x 1000w psus
ALL COOLERMASTER cooling products


The case will also have
-a 7inch Touchscreen LCD
-Watercooling
-Remote light controlling

SO


Here's a rough sketch of what I plan to make it look like.
http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08113/computer_case556.jpg (http://xs.to)

So heres some of the elements that I plan to incorporate into the belly of this Beast:)



http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08113/bioshock-bust379.jpg (http://xs.to)

Other than the motherboard, all the other hardware is going to be stashed in the base of the computer with the PSU's. That means the inside is going to look alot cleaner and more room to put things in from the game. I'm getting a bust like this one and putting it in the center near the top of the case with spotlights on it, that way it looks like its looking down just like in the screenshot.





http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08113/bioshock-_reactor_lines669.jpg (http://xs.to)

After seeing this pic I could only think of one thing...WATERCOOLING!!! the gpus's and cpu are going to be water cooled and I'll use L brackets and such to give the effect like they are the reactor lines.



http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08113/bioshock-buildingguy316.jpg (http://xs.to)

The exterior of the chassis is going to modeled as one of the underwater buildings. The statues in the front of them give off a sweet look. There's more on that down the post.

http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08113/bioshock_-gene_traitor471.jpg (http://xs.to)
here's a better pick of the statues that will be in the front




http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08113/bioshock-globe162.jpg (http://xs.to)
Another element I'm taking from the game is the rapture globe that'll be positioned somewhere in the case.



Here's some pics of what I've done so far.


http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08113/img_0416806.jpg (http://xs.to)
Here's the case gutted with a piece of acrylic glued onto the front.


http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08114/img_0421126.jpg (http://xs.to)
The top is going to be a windowed barrel vault, although the acrylic is going to be frosted to the point where only light will pass though it. It's going to house a HD rack for the hard drives for easy access.




Here's pieces of the Hd rack.
http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08113/img_0422286.jpg (http://xs.to)


http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08113/img_0420110.jpg (http://xs.to)




Those deco style statues would be a pain to make by hand so I went to the next best thing....trophies...Oscars actually. Its about 9 inches tall and looks really promising. I have to cut off the arms and make new ones so they are raised up like on the buildings.
http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08113/img_0418170.jpg (http://xs.to)







When i was searching for screenshots I came across this and I couldnt stop laughing.
http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08113/bioshock-dumbass175.jpg (http://xs.to)







And just on a side note...BIOSHOCK 2 is OFFICIAL!!!! I got a hold of 2k and its going to be released Mid 2009:D:D

[Plague282]

ARGGHHHH now I'm all sad....didnt know there was someone else doing a bioshock mod....Drat...Well it doesnt look anything like the design I came up with so its ok:up:

[p0Pe]

gl on the case!... the sketches looks real promesing:) gl dude and welcome

[Xperiment]

Wow sketches look cool, should be an interesting mod. Good luck

[Plague282]

Alright I'm scratching my head right now. I'm in the process of making my barrel vault/dome for the top of the case. I'm using these square steel rods to make 6 struts and then weld/ tac/ glue (havent choosen yet) them with other rods. Then I'm going to heat up some arcylic and have it mold to that shape. My problem is trying to get the right shape using the rods is a Biatch. I tried balsa wood but the arch is too great and they all snap. anyone have any idea's?

[J-Roc]

you could use a piece of abs pipe, maybe 8" would do it.

[rendermandan]

I used concrete footing forms called form-a-tube for my turbine mod. it comes in all different sizes down to 6" dia. Which is what I bought. I got it at a local concrete-masonry supply store.

[Plague282]

I've put the dome on hold for right now until I can think of something better. I'm now starting on making the base


http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08121/img_0425918.jpg (http://xs.to)

Here's how its going to be jointed, the rivets work extremely well and are very sturdy.

http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08121/img_0430112.jpg (http://xs.to)

Here's what I have so far for the base skeleton. This thing is going to be quite big, LXWXH 32x20x5. Its going to house all the watercooling crap, PSU,and
Optical drive.



After I get the skeleton done, it's going to be covered with 18gauge sheet metal. :)
http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08121/img_0427555.jpg (http://xs.to)\





More updates to come !!!!

[Plague282]

Well I just finished making the basic skeleton frame for the base, Now I'll add some extra struts in it to make it more rigid and what not.

http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08124/img_0431218.jpg (http://xs.to)

[Plague282]

Well after looking at the base, I think I made it a little over sized. I'm going to trim the length about 6 inches to make it not as bulky.

[Lord Ned]

I was looking into doing something similar with the aluminum frame and then siding. It's gonna be heavy, and if you pick to thin metal for the sides, they are gonna be too fragile. You might have to switch to Styrene. I'll see how yourse works out, since my idea was a little bigger. 3 feet tall actually.

[Plague282]

I was looking into doing something similar with the aluminum frame and then siding. It's gonna be heavy, and if you pick to thin metal for the sides, they are gonna be too fragile. You might have to switch to Styrene. I'll see how yourse works out, since my idea was a little bigger. 3 feet tall actually.

Dang that is big, The only reason why I might make it shorter is because I want it to actually fit on a table lol. Plus I'm making steps that are going to extend about 4 inches off the frame that thats even more space it will take up. The aluminum is working out very well, and doesn't weigh much at all, the fram right now is probably 4-5 pounds. I got 18gauge sheet metal that Is going to cover it.

[Lord Ned]

Well, It's actually 3 sections, almost a temple shape, just with rectangles. (It's like 1.3'x3.0'x1.0')

I'll have to look into the aluminum framing, becuase I'll need a nice ridigd frame too.

[BigJohnson]

Looks like a great beginning. Im going to keep my eye on this!

[Plague282]

well its been a little while since I updated the log, I've been tinkering around with different things lately.

I started making the face for the Andrew Ryan bust. right now its clay but I plan making a plaster mold of it to keep down on its weight. Its a rough shape right now, but I think its going to turn out looking very close to the statue.


http://xs226.xs.to/xs226/08155/img_0438737.jpg (http://xs.to)

http://xs125.xs.to/xs125/08113/bioshock-bust379.jpg (http://xs.to)

[Plague282]

Also , my 3 9800GTX's are on the way and I can't wait!

[The boy 4rm oz]

You have a clear intention of where you want this to go. Looks to be a good mod. also 3 9800GTX's :eek:.

[sun|D)eviltopher]

The sketches look awesome, dude. Good luck with the mod. :) +subscribed

[Plague282]

well i just got word that Western Digital is releasing a new model Raptor. 300gigs and faster than the current models... Looks like i just found my O/S drives :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

You are correct. It's called the VelociRaptor, 300GB and will cost about $300USD, $1-1GB ratio??? not worth it.
Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/58358/Western_Digital_Launches_VelociRaptor_300GB_-_The_World_s_Fastest_SATA_Hard_Drive.html

[rendermandan]

I knew I should have waited to buy my drives. -oh well, I guess I just have to get a couple of those too!

[Plague282]

Thats good i didnt fully order my 9800gtx's for I just found out that Nvidia is moving up their release of the 9900 series to late june early july. :) hopefully it should be worth the wait

[The boy 4rm oz]

That is true. They look like fantastic cards.

[Plague282]

Well Ive been running around with my head cut off cuz I highly doubt I'm going to have this done by my deadline.(I'm still going to try though) Here's some progress I've made, theres alot more but I haven't sat down to dl'd the pictures.



This is going to be on the base connected to the cd rom bay. Its a bioshock title logo.

http://xs227.xs.to/xs227/08180/img_0493227.jpg (http://xs.to)


Here's the sides I need for the towers in the front, They're already cut and put together but I haven't taken pics yet....I'm Lazy

http://xs227.xs.to/xs227/08180/img_0483937.jpg (http://xs.to)




Here's the new mobo :) I cant wait to get this bad boy in there
http://xs227.xs.to/xs227/08180/img_0502110.jpg (http://xs.to)



I was sitting down trying to find something else I could incorporate in the inside of the case, and I came across the perfect model.

http://xs227.xs.to/xs227/08180/bshock_fontaineboss258.jpg (http://xs.to)

After seeing this i thought it would be a perfect way to get creative with some of the water cooling tubes and use them as Fontaine's EVE supply. I got to plan the thing out a little more, but what I'm hoping is i can just find a action figure thats in the same shape as him and paint it, them my the Eve station around it.



Thats all for right now, Ill post up more pics later today when I'm not as busy

[Plague282]

Here's a couple more pics, I'm making the bioshock logo for the front and its working out pretty well for the mostpart.

http://xs227.xs.to/xs227/08191/img_0506813.jpg (http://xs.to)

http://xs227.xs.to/xs227/08191/img_0505222.jpg (http://xs.to)

[The boy 4rm oz]

That's some nice work there, keep it up.

[Nagoshi]

Nice mod! Love that game. Keep that up, +rep.

Youd better wait for these video cards, did you know that 9800GTX are simply 8800GTS processors with DX10.1 support and higher clocked? A 8800GTX or Ultra outperforms them; Id suggest you wait for the 9900. :)

[Plague282]

Nice mod! Love that game. Keep that up, +rep.

Youd better wait for these video cards, did you know that 9800GTX are simply 8800GTS processors with DX10.1 support and higher clocked? A 8800GTX or Ultra outperforms them; Id suggest you wait for the 9900. :)



Thanks I appreciate it, and yes I am aware of what architechure the 9800GTX uses. Even though its like that, for the most part its tri-sli prevails over the quad. I actually have a deadline ofr this case by the first of June, but looking now there's little hope of that cuz i know if I really rush it, it wont come out like I want it. I just hope my school understands this :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

Trying to keep a deadline is quite hard. My mod for example Started around July last year, I was meant to finish it during my 2 weeks holiday. 10 months later and I am still going.

[Plague282]

Sorry guys for not updates more frequently, I had to put this project on hold for a little while. I was supposed to have this thing done by next week, but I explained to my teacher mod projects are nitorious for taking MUCH longer than planned out, but in the end I'm getting an A in the course. Here's some updates,

I totally ditched the oscar trophy figures since they didnt want to work. So what I did was I made 2 different sized statues of the same design out of clay. The larger one, about 12inches high, is for the 2-4 main statues on the exterior. The statues on the inside are about 7 inches tall and will be situated in different places. I'm making molds out of the original ones so I can make copies instead of sculpting like the 10 I need.

On a light note, I'm very happy I waited on my video cards. I just read that Nvidia is debuting the new line at the beginnning of July, so I think I can wait until then.


I was a little ticked about something I found on the internet, but after realizing it theres not much you can do. I was on modshop.net, http://modshop.net/users/jadragon/rig/bioshock-deco and I ran into another bioshock case which had a few features that I had when I first planned this out. At first I was sure that the guy had looked on this worklog and copied the idea's, but after settling down a little I came to the conclusion that it was just coincidence since the game is full of those features and shouldn't be suprised if another modder picked them up.


Ill try to post some pics up tonight of what I have done so far.

[Plague282]

wow this hasnt been updated in awhile.....probably cuz i really havent had time to work on it...

I've gotten a little farther, and I am SOOO happy I waited to buy my vid cards...the GTX 280 rapes everything and 3-way with those will be insane :)

For right now the case is put on hold. I'm building an audio competition car and that's where all my time and money is going for the time being.

[Spawn-Inc]

really nice work so far, can't wait for updates, and love the hardware. +rep

just a question though, it says you are going to water cooling? and using all cool master stuff? have you already purchased any of the cooling?

oh and why the 2 1kw psu's? what brand?

[The boy 4rm oz]

He has gone all out on the tech why not the power lol. I would strongly recommend against Cooler Master W/C, that's probably what Spawn was getting to.

[Spawn-Inc]

haha , tb4m, you know me to well. i love telling people what to get :) its what i know best.

[The boy 4rm oz]

A hunch mate, I had a hunch lol.

[ChevronX]

Can't wait too see this completed

[Plague282]

Well this has been awhile.... Right now my Bioshock case is put on hold. All my funding right now is going into the audio in my car (4 18' subs and 30k of power) soooo yea.... I'll probably start the case back up in a couple months though. I also have that EVGA 790i SLI ultra motherboard that I'm selling, I never even installed it and its been sitting in its box. I would just like to see it being used so Im going to sell it. $275 never used.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Shame about putting the project on hold mate. Nice audio is your car though lol. I hope you find a buyer for your mobo.

[Plague282]

i know, :( i think everyday how much work and money i put into to so far and the last thing i want to see is it go to waste...

[Luke122]

Well this has been awhile.... Right now my Bioshock case is put on hold. All my funding right now is going into the audio in my car (4 18' subs and 30k of power) soooo yea.... I'll probably start the case back up in a couple months though.

Put some pics in the other projects section! I almost put 1 JL 18w6 in my car when I was 20, but went with 2 Alpine Type R dvc 12's instead.

[Plague282]

wow well I haven't updated or looked at this log in awhile..

a little over a year and I still haven't worked on this...

I'm really getting bummed about this case because of all the new Bioshock 2 vids I keep seeing ....and having to walk past the cases empty eskeleton when I got into my work room.

So i'm going to start building this again, and I have many more ideas that will fit really well into it.


As for the pc hardware, I'm not saying anything right now because I have no $$ for the internal hardware, and because a bunch of things have changed.. whatever hardware i did have, such as the Nforce790i , I sold it all off.


What i know it will have will be-
solid state drives, blu ray, and w/e else .... no idea what vid cards it would have... depends on what systems have the best perfomance when i complete it


All I can say is I"m really going to try and get this finished for the release of Bioshock 2

[blueonblack]

Good to see you getting back on it. I have also set that release date as a tentative completion goal for the case I'm working on. Here's hoping we're both playing it on our new machines. :D