Project: OSIDIAS (SFF taken to the extreme)

[craigbru]

Sounds great Craig!

I'll be tuning in.

Sounds great Charles! I'm not sure how exciting it will be, but we'll give it a go. I've got to do some filing on a previous hole, and then I'll get in with cutting new ones.

This made my day.

Lol.

Incredible Thread! Looking forward to the final build.


Also you mind providing us with a overview of how the wireless control system would work?

Thanks man. I'd be happy to give you an overview when I get a chance. Give me a day or two though. I'm headed to the shop in about an hour and have a few things to finish up first.

[yngndrw]

Are there not going to be any more pictures in this thread or will there be videos and pictures ? I prefer pictures personally.

What would you have done if the demonstration had failed and it had broken ? :o

[craigbru]

Are there not going to be any more pictures in this thread or will there be videos and pictures ? I prefer pictures personally.

What would you have done if the demonstration had failed and it had broken ? :o

There will be more pictures, but I didn't get any tonight. The video is supposed to supplement the images. I got about 2 hours worth of streaming in tonight. I did manage to get the other hole for the LCD circuit board done, as well as the hole in the top of the case. I've got one more hole to put in the left side for the PSU, and then a small hole in the bottom of the case for ventilation on the pico-itx board that will be located there.

If the stream had failed, then I would have just taken pics as usual. Ironically, my host DNS went down as I was streaming, and the video was only viewable in the Livestream website.

http://livestre.am/glpt

http://livestre.am/gl6b

http://livestre.am/gkTY

[Johnny87au]

c'mon craig your leaving us hanging

[craigbru]

Lol, I'll get a few real pics of the work I did last night, as well as a regular forum post to explain what I've done. I'll try not to keep you guys hanging for long.

[aeidau]

Wow its so strong keep it up Craig

[craigbru]

Thanks! Yes, it's definitely strong. Even with all the holes in the case now, it doesn't seem much weaker than before. While I once thought it was a bit of overkill, I now realize this could have never worked as aluminum. Carbon fiber was really the right choice.

[craigbru]

Also you mind providing us with a overview of how the wireless control system would work?

I had a few minutes...

Okay, here's a brief overview of the wireless networking and monitoring setup. It's sometimes a little hard to wrap your head around, but I'll try and give a clear explanation.

I've basically got 3 complete computer systems in this case. I've got the main system consisting of the Asus matx board and associated components. Then I've got a Via pico-itx system acting as an always-on file server, and information monitor. Finally, I've got the Viliv UMPC that sits on the front of the case. These 3 systems are connected by both an internal ethernet hub, and an Asus wireless access point. The wireless network is used for information sharing and control by the Viliv. The Viliv is obviously a wireless only connection, but the other systems can connect either wired or wireless, and be independent of any other system.

Since the pico is always on, it serves to relay most of the system information. It will be attached to an Aquaero and Multiswitch, which in turn is responsible for all watercooling, temp sensors, and lighting. It will also allow me to turn the main system on and off through the Viliv. All the information I need on the Viliv will be relayed using a Samurize front end. Samurize's own network monitoring functionality, as well as the Aquaero software will allow for real time monitoring of the pico and main system functions. Now, of course since the Viliv is wireless, and always connected to the OSIDIAS network, I can just detach it from the case and use it as a remote.

Does that help? Feel free to ask if it doesn't.

[Rise]

I had a few minutes...

Okay, here's a brief overview of the wireless networking and monitoring setup. It's sometimes a little hard to wrap your head around, but I'll try and give a clear explanation.

I've basically got 3 complete computer systems in this case. I've got the main system consisting of the Asus matx board and associated components. Then I've got a Via pico-itx system acting as an always-on file server, and information monitor. Finally, I've got the Viliv UMPC that sits on the front of the case. These 3 systems are connected by both an internal ethernet hub, and an Asus wireless access point. The wireless network is used for information sharing and control by the Viliv. The Viliv is obviously a wireless only connection, but the other systems can connect either wired or wireless, and be independent of any other system.

Since the pico is always on, it serves to relay most of the system information. It will be attached to an Aquaero and Multiswitch, which in turn is responsible for all watercooling, temp sensors, and lighting. It will also allow me to turn the main system on and off through the Viliv. All the information I need on the Viliv will be relayed using a Samurize front end. Samurize's own network monitoring functionality, as well as the Aquaero software will allow for real time monitoring of the pico and main system functions. Now, of course since the Viliv is wireless, and always connected to the OSIDIAS network, I can just detach it from the case and use it as a remote.

Does that help? Feel free to ask if it doesn't.

I think it would be awesome for you to stream you setting it up and when you get to it, running it all together with some commentary along the way just explaining what it's doing, how it works, etc.

I just found this thread and I'm kind of glad, since it appears to be well over a year under development (my selfish reason ) but it's awesome man! I'll be checking out your streamed videos when I get home later. I wish I saw this thread *before* I went home for lunch and watched some other garbage on livestream

Keep up the great work!

[craigbru]

I think it would be awesome for you to stream you setting it up and when you get to it, running it all together with some commentary along the way just explaining what it's doing, how it works, etc.

I just found this thread and I'm kind of glad, since it appears to be well over a year under development (my selfish reason ) but it's awesome man! I'll be checking out your streamed videos when I get home later. I wish I saw this thread *before* I went home for lunch and watched some other garbage on livestream

Keep up the great work!

I'm not sure anyone would want to watch the setup of that. There's bound to be quite a few WTF moments as I try to get it all sorted. I'll sure make a video of everything working once it's completed though.

Yes, it was over a year in planning, and in fact, I'm still making a few small changes as I go along. That's the fun part though!

[Alexandr0s]

Dude, I freaking love the videos .

[yngndrw]

Regarding the remote control system - Is there a specific practical use for it that you have in mind or is it just being done because it's cool and because you can ? (Sorry if you've already answered that and I missed it, but I didn't see it when I just looked.)

[craigbru]

Dude, I freaking love the videos .

Thanks bro!

Regarding the remote control system - Is there a specific practical use for it that you have in mind or is it just being done because it's cool and because you can ? (Sorry if you've already answered that and I missed it, but I didn't see it when I just looked.)

It's actually a little bit of both. I'm really big on monitoring all the minute details of my system. The remote screen allows me to do that from either the front of my PC, or anywhere else in my house. It's maybe a bit of overkill, but the Viliv is a great device in it's own right. I use it for watching videos, and keeping up on the forums quite a bit. It's usually next to me when I'm watching TV at night for example. With it tied into the system like it is, it makes it pretty easy to check download status on files and monitor other functions while away from the PC. I could remove it when benchmarking so I don't need to be in front of the PC, and still monitor vitals. Anyway, those are just a few of the ways I justify it...

[yngndrw]

Ah I see.

Anyway, those are just a few of the ways I justify it...

When you have something as cool as your design, you don't need to justify anything.

[bladechai]

Personally i prefer people like Craig with such fine skills, dedication and uncompromising standards being paid millions than the CEO's of wall street.

then again maybe he is ;P

[craigbru]

Ah I see.


When you have something as cool as your design, you don't need to justify anything.

Lol, well, sometimes I need to justify things to myself. Especially when they are pricey additions. Luckily I'm a sucker for my own reasoning.

Personally i prefer people like Craig with such fine skills, dedication and uncompromising standards being paid millions than the CEO's of wall street.

then again maybe he is ;P

Thanks mate. I would certainly be all for that. I'd definitely go nuts without a budget to think about. Actually, that's a little scary...

Dude, I so wish.

[Alexandr0s]

Thanks mate. I would certainly be all for that. I'd definitely go nuts without a budget to think about. Actually, that's a little scary...

Dude, I so wish.

Meh, anyone can get awesome stuff with a budget like that. It takes true skill to make something awesome like what you're building without a very big budget .

[craigbru]

Meh, anyone can get awesome stuff with a budget like that. It takes true skill to make something awesome like what you're building without a very big budget .

True, money is nothing without imagination. It's not about the latest and greatest hardware, it's about trying to do something original with whatever resources you do have.

[Alexandr0s]

Yay, DIY ftw! Why buy a case when you can build one, more awesome than what ever will be sold in stores?

[craigbru]

Yay, DIY ftw! Why buy a case when you can build one, more awesome than what ever will be sold in stores?

I've been lucky enough to see both sides of this hobby. I've been doing case mods for years now, and always thought it would be cool to make something that was actually marketable. Well, I did get that chance last year. I worked with Johnny Hou of NZXT on their upcoming Phantom case. The interior design and layout were what I focused on, as the exterior is all Johnny... It's amazing how many compromises sometimes have to be made for cost and feasibility reasons. Every dollar adds up, and some features I wanted had to be changed or dropped. When you are doing your own work, you never have to think about things like that.

[craigbru]

Thanks to inspiration from Javi, dbradford, and w33dy at the Mod Brothers forums, I've done a little something to help with my dust collection. I really needed a third hand when cutting on the workbench, and with none in sight, I came up with a great alternative. I modded an old architect lamp!

I couple of velcro straps, and the vac hose was attached to end of the arm. After using it for a few cuts, I've got to say that it's quite effective for a low tech solution. I'm guessing it's catching at least 75% of the dust caused by cutting.





So, with a decent dust collection solution in place, it was time to put it to use. I was streaming live during a portion of this, so I'm missing a few pics. With most of the side holes done, it was time to move to the top. Here is what it looked like after cutting.





Now it's time to move back the side. The last hole I need to cut is where the PSU will sit. Here is the hole all marked out. (Live Stream)



All cut! (Live Stream)



And finally a test fit with a PSU in place.

[Johnny87au]

Dude this case is mint, love the carbon fibre feel!

[josk1]

all those holes... wow!

[craigbru]

Dude this case is mint, love the carbon fibre feel!

Thanks Johnny! I can't wait until I can sand this thing a little and get the final coat of resin on it. I'm going to make it look like glass!

all those holes... wow!

Lol, yes, there are quite a few. The CF is still really strong though. Aluminum would never have survived. It also likely would have bent out of shape with all the abuse I've thrown it during cutting. There's no bending here though!

[Johnny87au]

Thanks Johnny! I can't wait until I can sand this thing a little and get the final coat of resin on it. I'm going to make it look like glass!



Lol, yes, there are quite a few. The CF is still really strong though. Aluminum would never have survived. It also likely would have bent out of shape with all the abuse I've thrown it during cutting. There's no bending here though!

Cant wait dude, cant wait