Project: Framed - 4PC Test System

Here's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I'm working on a 4 PC system test machine. I will be putting 4 complete computer systems in one case. There will be a complete AMD XP and X2 dual core system, also there will be a complete P4 and Intel Core Duo system. Each will have their own Hard Drive, PSU and power button. They will all be able to use one LCD mounted on top. I will just need to adjust the plugs on the back and boot up the system I want to use. Obviously no normal case can hold this many parts so I will be using an organizer I recently bought.
Here's kinda what it'll look like

First I have to cut these off:

This will be pretty cool.
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Any plans for cosmetic work with this build TGS? ....just noticed that you have already planned some cosmetic work. Maybe I should learn to read and not be so easily distracted by pictures? :)

[.02] I was thinking about what you might do cosmetic wise (if anything at all? it does look pretty sweet as-is) and I think it would look pretty good with some plexi (AC Ryan UV Green?) placed on either sides? [/.02]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zephik

[.02] I was thinking about what you might do cosmetic wise (if anything at all? it does look pretty sweet as-is) and I think it would look pretty good with some plexi (AC Ryan UV Green?) placed on either sides? [/.02]

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LOL!
I love the "[.02] and[/.02]" lol

Some green UV reactive would be cool

Update: All 4 PC's will use the same keyboard, mouse and monitor via a KVM switch

There will be a lot of plexi. Cathodes are for later.

So begins the fun!

That was easy

And they're off!

Then comes the plexi fitting.

There's one side. I attached it with rivets.

I'll wait to attach the other side till later. I first need to mount the components on plexi "drawers" and slide them in. At the end I will attach the other side panel with screws.

I think this has mega potential, I love the shape of that frame. Go TGS go!

I found this old topper to my Mother-Bored PC to help with my intake.

I slid it into the bottom and since cold air settles on the bottom it'll be a primo place to have air sucked up and in.

Lookin' good! Love the idea - I'll be watching this one.

What socket of A64 will you be using this with?

Nice project but... You stole my mod name!


Nah it's cool considering my project Framed is on hiatus. The laptop I was going to use died and I have like 3+ other projects, I will finish it eventually...

I actually like this project a lot. Seen these racks for sale before, never thought of using one as a computer case. Good luck with it.

I'm using the Athlon 64 X2 BE-2300 which runs at 1.9GHz and uses only 45 Watts and not the normal 65 watts. The motherboard is AM2 and AM2+ compatible.

I don't have the dual Core Intel system yet.

For AMD single core, I think I have the 2800+, but I'll have to check

The Intel single core will be a Pentium 4 running at 1.7GHz

All the computers will have their own power supplies, DVD drives, hard drives (Windows XP Pro) and 1 Gig of memory. As of now I will be using onboard video and sound, but that might change later. On Monday or Tuesday I'm going to Lowes to have the real thick plexi cut out for me for each of the landings.

Alright, the Intel dual core will be a plain jane E2140. That's all I actually need anyway.

Here's a rough idea of the front.

I love the idea Satan. Great work.

Thanks

I got the plexi today, the real thick stuff. So thick, that Lowes was unable to cut it for me.

So here's the plexi and my how I'll cut it tonight.

I'll use which ever works. I'm waiting for the other mobo's to arrive.

Here's the RAM for the dual core mobo's, 2 sticks, 1GB each

And the RAM for the single core Mobo's, 2 sticks for each, 1GB total

I have lots of drives available

And lots of PSU's

lol

thats cool i have like 8 cd roms left and 2 psus and a stack more speakers and mics and stuff from my aunt so if any1 wants to pay postage... lol jk

looks so cool i cant wait u should mod that rv in one of the pics on the 1st page

I already have....

yea i know, just saying, looks so kool tho

So it took a good half hour, but I got it all cut out. The blue is the plastic covering which will be coming off.

A little problem arose.....

A standard ATX mobo will NOT fit, even on the widest part. I'll have to use all MATX boards. I hope they fit on the smaller parts though.

where are the HDDs going because they could go on the smaller sections idk just trying to help :P

I actually think that blue looks quite nice lol.

agreed it does i didnt want to say it and sound weird lol

I like it too, but leaving on will only allow it to melt under the heat of a computer system(s)

Yeah it would. Still looks cool though.

Love that stand! Is it fairly stable? I'd hate to see a kid grab it or bump it, and "oops.. 4 computers just hit the floor!"

Luke brings up a great point. How stable is that stand? You might want to:

A. add some weight at the bottom
or
B. Add a wider base

That is if isn't stable.

My $.02

It'll have 4 HD's, 4 DVD drives, 4 PSU's, 4 motherboards with memory and heatsinks, and a 17 inch LCD on top. The weight will add up.

lol
u need to have a forklift to move it :P looks soo cool cant wait to see it done.

My Dual Core AMD board arrived. It's MATX and fits on the smallest section. So the good news is, they'll all fit!

Just Perfect

Are you using brass standoffs to raise the mobo off the tray, or plastic? Brass would give a more solid feel I think, and the plexi could be easily threaded to make for a nice solid mount.

For an extra special touch, why not edge light the plexi shelves with LEDs? You could even use the HDD indicator light from each mobo, to show which is doing what at any time. :D

Also, are the legs hollow? If so, that would be a good place to hide wires if you wanted to have the edge lighting independant of the PC's.

My final concern is of the fans on the bottom plate. If you enclose the case entirely, will there be enough airflow around each shelf to allow the heat to escape? You might need to put some holes into the plexi for airflow purposes.

I love this project.. it's inspiring me to do something with all my parts with no cases. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luke122

Are you using brass standoffs to raise the mobo off the tray, or plastic? Brass would give a more solid feel I think, and the plexi could be easily threaded to make for a nice solid mount.

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Yes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luke122

Also, are the legs hollow? If so, that would be a good place to hide wires if you wanted to have the edge lighting independant of the PC's.

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They are hollow. I haven't thought about lighting yet

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luke122

My final concern is of the fans on the bottom plate. If you enclose the case entirely, will there be enough airflow around each shelf to allow the heat to escape? You might need to put some holes into the plexi for airflow purposes.

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There will be venting holes in all of the levels but that won't be sufficient. That's why I'm leaving all of the levels between the boards open to the air.

Good stuff! :D

sweet looks good that board fits very nicely

All the boards I'm using are MATX, but I'm still waiting for them to arrive.

Looks great so far. Nice work as always Satan.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGreatSatan

All the boards I'm using are MATX, but I'm still waiting for them to arrive.

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I forgot to mention what they are, as they have changed.

The P4 is a Biostar P4M900-M4 socket 478, but uses up to DDR2-533? (I have the 512MB x2 of DDR2-533 that I pulled from my daughters HP) .Which I didn't even know existed. I thought all socket 478's were limited to DDR400 max. The processor is 3.0GHz

The AMD single core will be my 3000+ XP, if it works. The other board I have turns on, but then shuts down within 5 seconds. I replaced the memory over and over, so it's either the board or the Proc. I'll know when the new board comes.

My Single Core P4 arrived today.

I haven't put the stand offs in yet. I'm waiting till I have all of the boards and am sure of their placement.

Only two more systems to go lol.

Nice mod I like the stand. You could use all those systems together as a Beowulf Cluster and do some serious folding at home time.

TGS

How about mounting two mobo's vertically on each side panel of the beast? You could have slide out frames in the middle section housing the PSU's HDD's etc for them.

Matthew

edit: seems I didn't get to the end of the thread before posting ... soz

I like Simons' idea. Add a network switch into the stand and then you can fire them up individually or from clusterknoppix CD's and run them as a cluster.