Project: Leviathan

[Vertigo]

It was almost a year ago when I started my first mod, Infernis. Since then, I've addded a second computer, I'm about to add a new laptop to the mix as well. Unfortunately my desk isn't holding up so well to the strain. So, I decided to remodel it all.

Here's a look at the desktop:
http://digitalzoetrope.com/files/gal/comp/leviathan/worklog/00.jpg

Task List: (No particular order)

Replace glass and particle board pieces on desk.
Mod 2 Lian-Li cases in almost identical fashion.
Install Upgraded Parts into new cases.
Rewiring job for the tangled mess attached to my desk.
Install new stands, monitor tree and laptop arm.


This week, I'm off to the hardware store and the shop to get some replacement parts going for the desk. I'm also going to sand it and give it a new coat of paint instead of this odd gray that it's painted now.


The Cases that are about to be modded.
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-112-099-19.jpg
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811112099

[Scotty]

3 keyboards probably 3 mice, why not get a kvm switch thingy, that would help with the desktop mess.

[Vertigo]

Parts List: (No particular order)
Computer (This is what's going in each computer)
LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA5200CSBOX - Retail
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail

Desk, etc.
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard - Retail
IOGEAR GCS634U 4-Port USB KVM Switch with Built-in KVM Cables and Audio Support - Retail
ERGOTRON 33-095-200 DS100 Triple-Monitor Desk Stand, Horizontal - Retail

This list will be edited as necessary, and updated when needed.

[Vertigo]

3 keyboards probably 3 mice, why not get a kvm switch thingy, that would help with the desktop mess.

Actually, just 2 keyboards and mice with a Fang keypad. But, yes I just picked up a KVM last night actually. That's an integral part in the clean up process. :D


Here's the arm for the laptop:
http://common.csnstores.com/common/products/EG/EG1163_l.jpg
http://www.mountsandmore.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=EG1163&PiID=1210748&refid=XT2-EG1163_1210748

That's where my new Dell XPS is going to sit.

[Vertigo]

I made a trip to Home Depot yesterday to get some supplies, I lucked out. They had some pre cut lumber I'm going to be using for the table tops. 24' x 48' and made with cabinet quality wood, inch thick. I also got some good plexi glass. I'm going to the shop today to get the wood ready shortly. I've got to wait till my monitor tree and laptop armature gets here though so I can get the mountings ready. So, basically I'm waiting on UPS at the moment. More as it develops.

[Luke122]

What XPS are you getting? I've the 1210, and I'm super happy with it. The small screen is suprisingly easy to get used to, as it's fairly high resolution. The weight and size make it ultra portable too.

The new 13" one with the LCD screen looks ultra nice.. almost wish I had waited a few more weeks to buy mine. :)

[Vertigo]

I'm getting the M1710 actually
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1710?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

I'm still deciding on the configuration I want, as for the rest I'm working out some designs for the desks. The top of each one is going to have a personalized image for each desk. (I'm also doing a desk for my wife's computer, an upcoming Pirates of the Carribean mod). I'm looking at a couple of ideas, possibly doing a large rasterized image glued to the wood, under the plexi. I'm doing some small scale expiraments with a couple of ideas I have before stepping up to the full scale desk top. Expect some pictures soon as I should be having some money coming to my paypal account from recently sold WoW accounts :D

[Scotty]

I'm getting the M1710 actually
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1710?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

I'm still deciding on the configuration I want,

Thats easy max it all out ^.^

[Vertigo]

Ok, let me rephrase that. The configuration I want/can afford :P I did look at maxed though, and it was over 5K and ridiculous lol.

[OvRiDe]

Actually, just 2 keyboards and mice with a Fang keypad. But, yes I just picked up a KVM last night actually. That's an integral part in the clean up process. :D


KVMs are great for 3 computers and 1 Keyboard, Monitor, and Mouse. If you use all 3 monitors there might be a better situation for everyday use, its called Synergy (http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/). Its an Open Source Cross Platform Client/Server that allows you to use 1 Keyboard and mouse for 3 computers. It supports Linux, Windows and even OSX.

You can check it out here..

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

Hope this helps, and good luck. Looking forward to your progress.

[Vertigo]

Thanks Ovride, that's actually exactly what my roommate suggested when I told him what I was planning. He uses it with a similar setup to mine up stairs and swears by it.

[Vertigo]

Minor update, waiting on some Paypal payments to go through and a couple of deliveries so I can get to work. But I thought I'd give you all a sneak peak at how the front bezels are going to look (mind you this is mirror image mods, they'll be identical just reversed) One comp sits on left of desk, other on right. And the desk is getting the Giger treatment as well.

http://www.dolphinjoy.com/giger/photoli5.jpg

I'll be detailing the sculpting process using the green stuff epoxy I use from Citadel Miniatures :D

More as it develops.

[Blackout]

oooooo a warhammer fan this should be interesting :D

[Killdrath]

Warhammer rocks. I been playing for 15 years. If I can afford the $350 for the mobo I want, I have a nice warhammer mod planned.

[Vertigo]

hehe, actually it's not a warhammer theme. It's a HP Lovecraft/HR Giger theme. But yeah, I play warhammer too. I've been playing Dark Eldar for ... a while now.

[Killdrath]

true... but the Dark Eldar are very Geiger/Lovecraft if you look at things closely... :)

That is not dead
which can eternal lie
and with stranger aeons
e'en death my die.

sorry, love that line.

[Vertigo]

Ok, so an update. All five of the WoW accounts I was selling sold today ...

Ergo, a few websites are now dealing with orders from me.

To start with:
I snagged a pair of plastic sculptures for the front bezels.
http://i8.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/26/83/aa_1_sbl.JPG

These were part of a limited edition Todd McFarlane toy set in 2004. I also made a run to Home Depot for the materials to finish off the desks. Ordered some modeling putty (the green stuff from Games Workshop) and of course ... the actual computer parts, which are listed on the first page of the mod. I've got some 120mm fans and red LEDs coming in as well, and I picked up a couple of sheets of plexi to cover the desk tops and probably a few spare pieces will work their way into the computer cases. Pics coming soon as everything arrives.

[Vertigo]

Title has been changed, from Leviathan to Animus. So the computers will be A1 and A2. Anyhow, I haven't gotten a lot of work done lately on this, I'm still waiting on some auctions on eBay among other things ... but I DID get a new little helper. Her name is Elizabeth, she's an 8 week old English Bulldog/Pitbull mix. Found her thru an add in the paper Saturday on my lunch break, picked her up Sunday morning. I've been messing around with some other cases to test a few things and she's been trying to help, IE getting in the case everytime I turn my head.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Family/DSC00456.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Family/DSC00458.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Family/DSC00460.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Family/DSC00464.jpg

[p0Pe]

omfg its cute:D... beggin you to mod its basket:)... go on, you now you wanna :p

[Vertigo]

lol, well I kinda put a pillow in an old case for her since she seems so attached to the computers ...

[Vertigo]

No exciting pictures to show just yet, but I have been working (as much as school and my job will permit). I'm starting with the computer desk, I've stripped the paint and did some cutting, drilling and filling. I've got to finish with the wood next and get all of the mounting work straightened out for the monitor tree and the laptop stand...

I also decided to mount a pair of mini USB LCD devices in the table top, as well as an ipod dock and a few other odds and ends to keep things plugged in and tidy. I also picked up a stereo receiver so I can switch the sound from my surround sound between computers and the television. (I'm glad my neigbors don't speak English, because they're not gonna be happy with the noise). Pics coming soon.

[Vertigo]

I'm still waiting on some deliveries to really get this thing going, I missed the postman today apparently. Anyhow, I did a quick mod on my Ideazon FANG. Pretty straight forward. I DID however have a little boo boo. I wasn't paying attention to the screw I was using, I thought all of the ones used to hold the thing together were the same size, so I put a bit of a gash in the panel I just painted at the very top above the lit area. You can just make out the damage in the accompanying pics. I'll fill this in with some green stuff and repaint it next week probably, and maybe a better quality print out of the name.

by the way, although the project is called Leviathan. The computers themselves are named Animus or (breath of life) which is why the whole thing is air cooled, etc. Thought I'd clear any confusion before it happens (hopefully).

http://digitalzoetrope.com/files/gal/comp/leviathan/pics/fang/01.jpg
http://digitalzoetrope.com/files/gal/comp/leviathan/pics/fang/02.jpg
http://digitalzoetrope.com/files/gal/comp/leviathan/pics/fang/03.jpg
http://digitalzoetrope.com/files/gal/comp/leviathan/pics/fang/04.jpg
http://digitalzoetrope.com/files/gal/comp/leviathan/pics/fang/05.jpg

Anyone curious about the lit part, it's a two part little lens. One is the clear one you see on top. And then a semi opaque one below that, I just sandwiched the paper between these and trimmed the edges with an Exacto knife. The Ideazone emblem that was there is just a big thick sticker easilly removed with a thumbnail and some patience. As for the new emblem, here is the uncut image:

http://digitalzoetrope.com/files/gal/comp/leviathan/pics/fang/ANIMUS-decal.jpg

Pretty easy little mod for anyone with a FANG. Aside from the afore mentioned screw up *pardon the pun* it was actually very easy.

[The boy 4rm oz]

That looks so cool, great work.

[Vertigo]

Had to take some time off from the mods since school started and we got a pair of new laptops (kinda ate my modding budget with those things, but it was worth it).

The overall idea for this mod is to clean up my workspace and recycle some old computer desks I've got. Here's an idea of the layout:

http://digitalzoetrope.com/files/gal/comp/leviathan/worklog/layout.jpg

As you can see, it consists of 2 long desks and an end table. Both of the long desks are the same size, and will differ only slightly in initial design. The end table is a scratch built job I'm doing myself. And is there mainly to hold the laptop and give me a space for a few other things I keep around the computer room (like an iPod dock and a lamp) The lamp is another scratch built thing to go along with this overall theme. The second desk is basically a print station. Printer, Scanner, etc going there. Also going to do double duty as a workbench. More info soon, I just ordered some carbon fiber film to do the tops of the desks with. http://www.mnpctech.com/CarbonFiber.html going to put this on the wood I'm putting on with some clear acrylic for protection.

More soon, and hopefully some pics of the progress. Work on the computer project Animus will begin again soon as well.