ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 The task: Build an gaming set up for my wife and I to fit in my new apartment. This was to be my first scratch / custom build, I call it the DWR. 1. Space is at a premium, and the desk must accommodate to PCs and two people at the same time. This can only be in one location in our apartment, the maximum size for this build 2.5m x 1m 2. The desk must look appealing to gamers and non-gamers a like. 3. This will not only be a command centre for gaming, but also will need to function as a work space for study. 4. I want a minimalist design with effective cable management for all of my peripherals. I bring you DWR [Desk Master]. Huge thanks to Cooler Master for providing me with a Nepton 120XL all in one CPU cooler! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 The build was to be in two stages, I needed a desk space ASAP, and my custom PC build would have to wait until I had more time. 1. The desk needed to be hard wearing and solid, with plenty of workspace and storage space for paperwork. 2. A number of items were purchased from Ikea, 2x Alex drawer units, 1x Alex cupboard and a pre-cut kitchen bench top. Alex Cupboard: Alex Drawers: Bench Top: 3. The drawer and cupboard units were partly assembled, and then using their pre-drill tops as a jig, holes were drilled into the bottom of the kitchen bench top. The units were then attached directly to the bench top. 4. Keyboard trays to look integrated and part of the design. These were cut out of laminated MDF to size and secured drawer runners on the sides of the Alex storage units. I was very happy with the results of my "Ikea Hacking". Everything looked like it was supposed to go together. The big black old cases had to be improved next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Components: Motherboard: ASUS ROG Gene IV CPU: Intel i7 4790 CPU Cooling: Cooler Master Nepton 120XL GFX: EVGA Geforce GTX760 SC RAM: G.Skill Sniper 16gb (2 x 8gb) @ 1600mhz SSD: Intel 530 @ 120GB (x 2) HD: Western Digital Black 1.0TB (x2) Fans: Gelid Silent 5 & 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Proof of Concept / DWR - Desk Master 1.0 This was to be my first scratch build, and in fact the first time I had attempted anything like this. I really wanted to hide my PC case, and initially I just placed my PC inside the big Alex cupboard. This didn't work well, as my big case pretty much took up the entire cupboard, heat build up was becoming a problem, and it was a pain to get to any of my components. I needed the PC to take up less space, but at the same time ensure easy access and adequate air flow. What about putting it in my drawer!? So a mITX would fit in my drawer! Test fitting with some old components and cut up pieces of steel from my old PC cases. Holes cut in the cabinet to ensure air flow. A functioning PC in my drawer. Concept proved. Air flow and aesthetics would determine the look of the front. How many fans and switches and interface ports would fit? Version 1.0 was a success! A mess inside, but a success! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 DWR - Desk Master 2.0 Starting the build of 2.0. Got some aluminum from the local hardware store. Sawing with a hack saw. Or hacking. Making a power supply mount. Cut and folded it almost perfect with hand tools. The power supply hanging nicely underneath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 The continuing fabrication of the drawer tray, that will attach to the sides and front to my existing drawer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Another test fitting, to make sure I have not forgotten to consider anything. Now it is time to - paint it black! Cable bay cover. Top. Bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Installing the CPU cooler. The all-in-one liquid cooling solution from Cooler Master the Nepton 120XL. (Thanks again to Cooler Master for providing me with one for this challenge! Water cooling has never been so simple! The parts. Don't forget to take the protective plastic off bottom of the heat sink. First step of install. Set the supporting bracket up for the desired CPU socket. Install supporting bracket to the back of your motherboard. Install risers to the front of your motherboard. All that is left to do is cover your CPU heat sink in thermal paste (included in kit), and screw the CPU cooler down. It is really that simple! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 The new drawer front. I want to make the front of my PC drawer match the rest of the drawers in my desk. So I drew up a design and sent it off to be laser cut from acrylic. The front will be made out of 5 pieces of white acrylic glue together. I sent it off to onlinelasercutting.com.au/ Waited a couple days for a package to arrive in the mail. Had to pop up all of the details that were laser cut out. A big pile of acrylic. Test fitting to make sure I got my measurements right. All the pieces are ready to go. Doh! I made a mistake with my order. I only have the one button cut into the front of the panel!! It needed to go through all five pieces! So I am going to have to drill the rest by hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatWhichSmashes Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Modding the fan controller Deep Cool make this great value 5" device. Only problem is it only has two usb 3.0 ports, and it has a CF-50p port, which I don't need. Checking that the device will fitr. Dis-assembly: Bracket is cut down and painted. New risers cut and installed so all the ports line up. Another test fit. Make sure it is all coming together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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