SOOOO, I priced out all my new hardware. Not gonna debate what is going into this bad boy, or explain any reasoning in hardware choices, but it's well over $1200 in parts, and being a hardcore gamer I can't just have ANY old PC, can I?
I give you the build log of my newest PC gaming rig, 'Project: SALVO.' Wikipedia if you must, but the reference should become apparent.
Basic hardware list is as follows:
- Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B Aluminum + SECC ATX Mid Tower
- MSI K9A2 Platinum AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX Mobo
- AMD Phenom 9850 Black Edition 2.5GHz 125W QUAD CORE CPU (64bit)
- Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI-E 220 x16 Crossfire Supported GPU (gonna be 2, eventually)
- 2x Western Digital Caviar Blue 400gb 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD's
- 4 Gigs (2GB x 2) Mushkin XP Ascent DDR2 1066 RAM
- Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W PSU
- 2x Acer 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD HD Monitors
- Generic SATA DVD-Burner/ROM
- Partridge in a pear tree.
I found a good design idea that I wanted to use as a theme for this build. Anyone familiar with the AR-15 world should pick up this image immediately, but if not, I'll tell you at the end.
First, I had to do the case customizations. I had originally thought of having the design laser or waterjet cut into the case, but since I couldn't get the vector graphics right, and I didn't want to pay any art fees, I decided I'd try to do it myself using the handy-dandy Dremel tool. ::NOTE:: I haven't ever really used a Dremel before, and even though there are still some minor imperfections, the project isn't done. This is a build log, and what I have here is still VERY rough, just can't keep this to myself!
Tracing the stencil
Traced and ready to outline
First section cut out
Bout 1/2 way thru the cutting. This side panel is SECC (Steel), so I had to keep stopping and waiting for the Dremel to cool down. Thank god I brought Stroh's.
Looking UGLY with masking tape and adhesive
Cleaned up a lil with the plexiglass (still with vinyl coating) propped up inside for effect
All interior cuts test fitted and in-place
The center piece is a bit oblong, I'm fixing that. Some edges are still rough, fixing that too.
See
Glamour Shot
Still a long way to go, but I managed to NOT scratch the anodized surfaces, so I won't have to paint it! Still need to order the rest of the hardware, and I just got a new kitty so it might be a bit, but I'll keep updating as work is done.
Whatcha think?
Oh, and for those of you who haven't figured it out, Project SALVO was the DOD program that birthed the M-16. The cutout is a M-16 boltface. I play FPS's. If you can't understand that, /christpalm.
