Project: Rivendell

Ok guys, so my girlfriend thinks my sandcrawler is awesome (woo hoo!) but she decided awhile ago she wanted a custom built case too. We talked about Bag End (how I'd make that into a case is beyond me), Wall-E (some russian guy beat me to it http://englishrussia.com/?p=2487 worth checking that out, he did an amazing job), and Rivendell. We settled on Rivendell: she wanted something "pretty" and it is definitely that, and it'll let me be fairly artistic. I'm hoping to build it so it fits along the topmost shelf on her desk (she has a big rolltop, with a decent size horizontal space along the top).
First, some reference images:

That last image is really more of a depiction of Rivendell as described in The Hobbit, as opposed to the LOTR description. I'll use the last image more to help with the feel of the model, rather than for the actual look of the model.
All I have so far, aside from those images, is an overall to-do list:

1. design overall shape of case, determine scale of buildings/trees
2. build motherboard tray
3. hook up all components and make sure they all work
4. install Windows and programs so the computer is useable
5. buy pump for waterfalls
6. build overall case & insert computer parts and pump
7. create armature that fits over the case to support landscape sculpture
8. determine approx. # of trees to use and build them, some from tree kits, but most from scratch (for variety and to save $$)
9. sculpt landscape – mountainsides, rocks, riverbed/waterfalls, create holes for trees? Leave flat areas for buildings, and holes in riverbeds for tubes that will supply water for the working waterfalls
10. mold landscape
11. cast landscape
12. test-fit landscape onto case
13. permanently attach landscape to case
14. paint and detail landscape, waterfalls, riverbeds
15. test water system
16. add buildings
17. paint/detail buildings
18. add small bushes/shrubs/vines
19. add trees
20. photograph extensively and post triumphantly on TBCS :)

If I can make it look half as good as the film model...I'll be quite happy. For now, no WC system. I can't really afford it, and the computer doesn't really need it anyway. I will keep it in mind as time goes on, mDust gave me some great recommendations on how to incorporate it into the waterfall system.

Oh yeah, the computer system that'll go in there:
AMD x64 dual core (I forgot the speed...it's older)
2GB RAM
dual nvidia 7950GTs
Western Digital 7200rpm 160GB 2.5" HD w/16mb cache
Mushkin 580W modular PSU
external Samsung DVD burner (I plan on creating a spot in the case for it, so it can be internal if desired)
Sound Blaster sound card
Sceptre 22" 1920x1080 monitor running via DVI
Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse

Basically, the system is my older one that I upgraded back in May to my current Sandcrawler system. but, I got a new PSU, new HD, new monitor, and new keyboard mouse for this one.
It may be a bit before I update this again: I plan on doing some sculpting/molding/casting for my sandcrawler and intend that to be practice for the much bigger Rivendell project.

That's it for now...

Give the project in my sig a look and LMK if you need anything. I still have a bit of leftovers...

Not the only LOTR case now...

I may have just found my pump for the waterfalls...

http://www.infoworld.com/d/hardware/...8#slideshowTop

I don't know how fast it pumps the water out...but USB powered :P how can I possibly go wrong? LOL....

The only concern I would have is can it lift the water high enough?

this looks like an awesome idea. can't wait to see your modd(el)ing skills :)

Awesome!

yeah, I'm hoping it's strong enough. One thought that crossed my mind is to get a few aerators at the hardware store (like the ones on water faucets), and maybe use those at the mouths of the falls...? just an idea at this point, but it might give it the whitish appearance that real waterfalls tend to have. But I figure for $25 (or maybe less, I need to see if anyplace sells just the pump...not likely, but worth looking) it's worth a shot. Heck, maybe I'll do 2 pumps: one to power the falls, and one to keep the "river" water moving a bit. I do have a normally powered version of one of these fountains, so I'll likely use it as a testbed, see how high it can pump the water.

Ygpm concerning this matter.

The computer is functional! (I imagine that the feeling my success with this rather haphazardly arranged machine imbued is similar to that which Dr. Frankenstein felt when he umm..."activated" his monster for the first time).
No case, and it looks terrible, but it works, got Win Vista x64 Ultimate on there today, along with all the software my girlfriend needs. She'll be able to use the computer while I finish the sandcrawler, then while I'm building Rivendell.
Specs (it's mostly my old computer, but the screen, keyboard/mouse, hard drive, dvd drive, power supply, and power button are all new):
AMD socket 939 dual core 64-bit something-or-other
2GB DDR400 dual channel RAM
SLI nvidia 7950gt's with zalman passive coolers
creative labs x-fi xtreme music card
mushkin 580W modular PSU (neat reflective finish and green LEDs :)
samsung external slim USB dvd burner
logitech wireless keyboard/mouse
sceptre 21.5" LCD @ 1920x1080 (only $140 on newegg :D not the best screen out there, but not bad for the price)

Note the wood stake helping support the weight of the motherboard to keep it from warping too much. I KNEW I'd find a use for it if I kept it long enough LOL!

it will be made mucho prettier one of these days....incidentally I'm going to design and build Rivendell to fit along the top portion of her desk where the parts are currently sitting. The printer that's up there (along with the Bose ipod speakers sitting on top of it) will have to find a new home elsewhere in the room...

I have that PSU!
I was pulling 660Watts at the socket for a long while 24/7 and it's still running strong