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ROGBot
Project Alternate: PC in a desk scratch build & MODs
Hi all,
After what feels like a very long year I have decided to start work on my new desk build.
The idea for this desk came to me when i was working on my last desk & at one point I almost started the project
again, but I'm glad i didn't
Most people liked the desk & I learned a great deal during the build.
The Project Alternate design slightly changed month by month & I will show some of the other plans & explain why the changes was made.
This time I'm hoping to outdo my last desk & hopefully help others in the process.
The desk work is about to start, using mostly MDF, Perspex, clay, metal & glass I plan to build the desk in 3 parts,
starting from the bottom, then middle followed by the top section.
the tricky parts will be the sharp corners & angles on the edges.
In making the desk in 3 parts it will allow for easy transport from my garden shed to my
very small room/office.
I plan to have the 2 reservoirs just under the top shelf so i can see the water flowing by 🙂
have a couple of different layouts for the internal components,
but want to wait until the top compartment is built so I can see IRL what looks & works best.
For the specs, I'm upgrading from my trusty i5-2500k to a i7-5820K, due to the CPU upgread I will also be using the new ASUS X99 TUF
motherboard & DDR4
This time I will also go with 3 screens at 1440p if possible, or 1X 4K screen, so my HD7970s will also need upgrading to a R9-295x2.
SPECS
CPU - i7-5820k
MB - ASUS Sabertooth X99
RAM - 32GB Avexir Blitz 1.1 (DDR4)
GPU - ASUS R9-295x2
PSU - Cooler Master: V1200 Platinum
PSU2 - Cooler Master: GM750W
Fans - Cooler Master: Jet flow 120's & Cooler Master Silencio FP120 PWM
HDs - Western Digital Green 6TB - Barracudas x2 2TB - Wester Digital Green 1TB
SSDs - 2x Samsung EVO850s 250GB (500GB)
RADS - 2x Phobya G-Changer 360 RADs V.2
RES - 2x Phobya 450 reservoirs
CPU WB - Alphacool NexXxoS XP³ Light
PUMP - 2x Alphacool VPP655
GPU WB - Alphacool NexXxoS GPX
KB - CM Storm quickfire xti
Mouse - CM Storm Reaper
Build log 1
Build log 2
Build log 3
Desk top lift
Thanks to the sponsors.
Cooler Master UK, CM Storm, ASUS ROG, Phobya, OCOOL/Alphacool Mayhems GT Omega Racing & Avexir
For past & present MODs/Builds please check my Facebook & Youtube pages.
Thanks!
Both the corner parts now built, they will house the speakers & also act as part of the upper shelf for the monitor/monitors.
After making the above parts I could then start to work on the tricky parts, the 2x side covers that need some careful cutting in order to look the part & take some pressure.
Used glue to hold the parts together then when it was dry I added some blocks for extra strength.
When I was happy with all the parts & placement I then went back to the corner parts to add the speakers, did it in this order so i could double check how it looked
before adding the speakers, just encase I wasn't happy with them in the position I had them on the art work.
This is a dodgy tool, almost had my hand of a couple of times, but did the job in the end 🙂
Added some sealant to prevent dust & help with the speaker sound.
Starting to take shape now, really nice to see it looking a bit like the design I spent months working on 😄
please note, the sides ain't fasten down yet & still need some sanding to be done later in the build,
the shelf is also just resting there atm, the blocks holding it up are just for demonstration & will be replaced.
In the next stage im going to dismantle the desk & reduce the height by 2 inch, the main reason for this mod is so im not towering
above my friends on my high chair as they sit on the small visitor chairs 🙂
After making the above parts I could then start to work on the tricky parts, the 2x side covers that need some careful cutting in order to look the part & take some pressure.
Used glue to hold the parts together then when it was dry I added some blocks for extra strength.
When I was happy with all the parts & placement I then went back to the corner parts to add the speakers, did it in this order so i could double check how it looked
before adding the speakers, just encase I wasn't happy with them in the position I had them on the art work.
This is a dodgy tool, almost had my hand of a couple of times, but did the job in the end 🙂
Added some sealant to prevent dust & help with the speaker sound.
Starting to take shape now, really nice to see it looking a bit like the design I spent months working on 😄
please note, the sides ain't fasten down yet & still need some sanding to be done later in the build,
the shelf is also just resting there atm, the blocks holding it up are just for demonstration & will be replaced.
In the next stage im going to dismantle the desk & reduce the height by 2 inch, the main reason for this mod is so im not towering
above my friends on my high chair as they sit on the small visitor chairs 🙂
My new GPU has arrived 😄
ASUS R9-295x2
been testing it out on my current rig & im very happy so far, BF4 FPS are now over 120FPS maxed out @1440p
ASUS R9-295x2
been testing it out on my current rig & im very happy so far, BF4 FPS are now over 120FPS maxed out @1440p
Over the past week or so I have finished lowering the desk by 2"
cut the air-vent hole, made the vent cover & some other small bits like the shelf mounts.
I cant attach them properly yet & do the fine adjustments until some of the components arrive so I can check placement & sizing.
Iv also started to undercoat some of the desk & done lots of sanding.
Here are the 2 shelf supports, they might need some adjusting at a later date when i start to fit the RES, there will be 2x 450mm reservoirs on each side on the shelf bottom.
here they are in place, the shelf isn't shaped & fasten in place yet.
Cutting the 3mm black plexiglass that will be used for the vent cover.
This is the frame for the vent cover, think im going to have this with a mat finish & the blades will be polished to a shine
I'm not that great with plexiglass, so this took some time lol
Thinking the blades might be a bit too long, will cut them down later in the build if I don't change my mind...
I'm short on time today, so I will try add more updates tomorrow.
Thanks for for looking 🙂
cut the air-vent hole, made the vent cover & some other small bits like the shelf mounts.
I cant attach them properly yet & do the fine adjustments until some of the components arrive so I can check placement & sizing.
Iv also started to undercoat some of the desk & done lots of sanding.
Here are the 2 shelf supports, they might need some adjusting at a later date when i start to fit the RES, there will be 2x 450mm reservoirs on each side on the shelf bottom.
here they are in place, the shelf isn't shaped & fasten in place yet.
Cutting the 3mm black plexiglass that will be used for the vent cover.
This is the frame for the vent cover, think im going to have this with a mat finish & the blades will be polished to a shine
I'm not that great with plexiglass, so this took some time lol
Thinking the blades might be a bit too long, will cut them down later in the build if I don't change my mind...
I'm short on time today, so I will try add more updates tomorrow.
Thanks for for looking 🙂
Looks really nice so far! Can't wait to see the final result!
I agree for the japanese handsaws. They are really awesome to work with.
I agree for the japanese handsaws. They are really awesome to work with.
A quick mid week update for you,
Started work on the center shelf holder that I plan to also run the water tubing though,
The shape might change slightly later in the build when i have the 2x RES in place.
Here it is in place, as you can see Iv also started to undercoat some parts, I started this now to see how well it would hold up & to help show imperfections.
You can see the parts I started to sand down, I have now given the desk 1 coat of MDF primer & 2 coats of white primer, sanding after every coat apart from the last one..
Whether I use a paint or go with wrap the surface will need to be sanded as good as possible. 😞
Sanded down the speaker covers, not sure what colour Im going to use yet.
Decided to make the cones for the front of the desk from clay lol, yes clay... thought why not, I need the practice for a later
none PC related mission 🙂
Its air dry clay, so my cats looking after it for me as its out in the sun for the day 🙂
once it was hard enough I sanded them down to a better finish ready to prime & sand once more, I hate all the sanding 😞
I also hollowed out the center to reduce the weight & cut some groves for the bracket.
Thats all for now, I will try have more updates for you at the weekend.. 🙂
Started work on the center shelf holder that I plan to also run the water tubing though,
The shape might change slightly later in the build when i have the 2x RES in place.
Here it is in place, as you can see Iv also started to undercoat some parts, I started this now to see how well it would hold up & to help show imperfections.
You can see the parts I started to sand down, I have now given the desk 1 coat of MDF primer & 2 coats of white primer, sanding after every coat apart from the last one..
Whether I use a paint or go with wrap the surface will need to be sanded as good as possible. 😞
Sanded down the speaker covers, not sure what colour Im going to use yet.
Decided to make the cones for the front of the desk from clay lol, yes clay... thought why not, I need the practice for a later
none PC related mission 🙂
Its air dry clay, so my cats looking after it for me as its out in the sun for the day 🙂
once it was hard enough I sanded them down to a better finish ready to prime & sand once more, I hate all the sanding 😞
I also hollowed out the center to reduce the weight & cut some groves for the bracket.
Thats all for now, I will try have more updates for you at the weekend.. 🙂
here they are fitted, still just the undercoat until the build is complete
the gap wont be there when fastened down,
the gap wont be there when fastened down,
A plan from the start but not shown to everyone was some front lighting, I decided to keep it on the down-low encase I failed,
as Iv never done Plexiglas with LEDs..
Anyway, I think its looks good for now, should I change my mind later in the build when iv
painted or wrapped the desk I will cover them over 😞
your thoughts on them would be appreciated, good or bad about anything on the build, constructive criticism can be a great help 🙂
don't want it to look too cheesy, but as there at my side I think they could act as nice room lighting 🙂
Started by cutting some plexi to the same angel as the front corners,
Sides move out the way so I can cut some groves for the plexi.
Did a bit more undercoating & the groves are now cut on both sides, top shelf still not completed as im awaiting the RES before
I make final cuts.
Oh, Im just using super bright white LEDs for the front, its possible I could change them for RGB at a later date?
as Iv never done Plexiglas with LEDs..
Anyway, I think its looks good for now, should I change my mind later in the build when iv
painted or wrapped the desk I will cover them over 😞
your thoughts on them would be appreciated, good or bad about anything on the build, constructive criticism can be a great help 🙂
don't want it to look too cheesy, but as there at my side I think they could act as nice room lighting 🙂
Started by cutting some plexi to the same angel as the front corners,
Sides move out the way so I can cut some groves for the plexi.
Did a bit more undercoating & the groves are now cut on both sides, top shelf still not completed as im awaiting the RES before
I make final cuts.
Oh, Im just using super bright white LEDs for the front, its possible I could change them for RGB at a later date?
