Overview / Usage
****Today, we're all striving for smart stuff.. Smart TV's, Smart Phones, Smart cars, smart homes.. Why not a smart desktop computer ? In the spirit of innovation, we're going to try!
I DO NOT want to put forward a project that envisions too far into the future and fail to deliver, because the future is now, and innovation happens every day. This project is doable here and now, it to me is the future, is technological, and is very innovative. **
**What I'm trying to achieve **I would like to have a fully operational system that can be fully controlled via Alexa. This will involve several weeks of coding alone, as every input would need to manually written. While the Alexa PC app exists, it's not very ''smart'' and doesn't do anything of importance on a PC. This is a long process but will not fail. **
What else?** I'm still working out the kinks on this one, but it's something similar to what I've done before, only more advanced. I want to have 3 platforms at the top of the case that open and close depending on the system temperature. My initial idea is to run 3x 12v motors hooked up to a small PI, that is also connected to a fan header on the motherboard. The fan header reads the temperature of the CPU and opens and closes the platforms as and when required. Failing this, (will not give up easy) I'd implement the 3 motors + speed controller and have the platforms moving constantly.
**Modifications **Couldn't miss this part, it's where I feel I shine most! Firstly, I'd remove the front panel, cut away the frame (i have lots of experience with be quiet! cases, they were my first sponsor ever and I'll always hold a soft spot for this company) Once removed, I'll use my in-house laser cutter and fabricate my own custom reservoir to fit the front hole.
Next I'll cut away the back, and create my own GPU support bracket and reinforce the top panel (done this before on other mods, very successful and elegant when finished)
internally, all white with a very nice light blue accent. giving it a futuristic finish.
Remove the bodywork of the motherboard, re-do in a nice gloss white finish, try to cover as much of the black as i can while keeping the MSI branding.
This be quiet! case has 4 little caps on the inside for drive bays, these are in fact excellent for routing tubing. The back will also be open (no cover) meaning perfect cable management (like my jack Daniel's scratch build) and clean water runs.
you'll probably wonder, how will it look good if I just removed the panels, there's still gaps between the shroud and the case external. FEAR NOT! for i have a plan, I'll use mouldable white plastic here to fill these gaps and smooth off, for a flush finish on the front and back sides of the case. (Attention to detail is crucial)
**Finally, smart lights. **Around the front side mesh, I'd like to add LED flexible neon strips. These will glow in the same light blue as the other parts. Really showing off that accent. I've now decided to purchase an Alexa hub, dismantle it and re-wire the lights from the Alexa to the case lights, thus when you say ''Alexa'' the neon strips will ignite in blue.
I'll strive for perfection here.
Keyboard + Mouse I've opted for the RGB keyboard due to having that light blue glow, i will diss-assemble the keyboard and mouse, sand down, re-spray white and finally a 2k clear coat. I'll also sand down each keyboard key, and laser etch the letters and numbers etc back on (will etch in deep enough so that the digits are able to light up) These will match the system.
Can i do all this in 4 weeks? Well... yes. I'm taking the initiative and starting the coding of the custom Alexa app early. this should allow me to put all my focus and time into pure building and modding IF i am selected. I already have a large amount of acrylic here in my workshop, so waiting for orders won't be an issue.
Fingers crossed i do get selected, I've been wanting to impress intel for a while now and catch their attention. This could be a huge opportunity for me in both this contest and attracting intel! thanks for the chance.
If I have time to do more, I would love to create water blue looking resin sheets, and laser cut them to fit the shroud and rear of the case (see last 2 images) That way you can see through the middle of the shroud to see the pump and underside cable management. Dangerous, i know
Making the resin sheets is super easy, use the 2 part mix, mix in your colours, using a heat gun to remove the bubbles. Stick it in my 50w cutter, increase the power a little, and get to cutting!
Absolutely NO parts (bar the hardware provided by intel) in this build will be sponsored in any way shape or form.
Methodology / Approach
With an in-house laser cutter, all fabrication is pretty straight forward. i have my own workshop filled with tools needed for cutting, grinding and whatever else i need doing. So custom work won't be an issue. I'd be looking at starting with a basic software package (not the Alexa app) as i want Alexa to control more than just appointments and calendars, I'd want Alexa to be able to reboot, start up and shutdown + speech to text and all the other bells and whistles such as opening steam + launching games.
Shroud: laser cut the connected logo, intel logo and the blue frame. repeat the same cuts on a light blue tinted sheet of acrylic. Place back into the shroud with the blue accents. (possibly backlit)
as for the top panels. I'm still figuring this part out, i have a basic understanding of what i need. they could even be Alexa controlled with a Wi-Fi chip such as the D1 relay.
Everything else is pretty straight forward. Sanding, paints, tube runs, cable combs, custom cable mounts etc.
Technologies Used
Seasonic FOCUS PX-850 Power Supply
SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD (doesn't matter which SSD really)
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3070 Video Card (I have a block for this already from EKWB)
be quiet! Silent Base 802 White
CORSAIR K68 RGB Gaming Keyboard
Logitech G502 HERO Gaming Mouse
MPG Z690 Carbon WIFI
2 x 32 GB memory ddr5 5200mhz
Intel Core i9 12900K
EK 360mm radiator
EK pump
EK fittings
EK waterblock (CPU)
EK GPU Block (Strix)
EXTRAS
Epoxy resin kit
Epoxy resin dye kit + Pigment kit
Reaper white and aqua blue cables.
Aqua blue + White artfix paints
Clear gloss 2k hard coat paint
using 50w Co2 Laser cutter 500x800mm
Multiple tools
Image of the design plan
****Today, we're all striving for smart stuff.. Smart TV's, Smart Phones, Smart cars, smart homes.. Why not a smart desktop computer ? In the spirit of innovation, we're going to try!
I DO NOT want to put forward a project that envisions too far into the future and fail to deliver, because the future is now, and innovation happens every day. This project is doable here and now, it to me is the future, is technological, and is very innovative. **
**What I'm trying to achieve **I would like to have a fully operational system that can be fully controlled via Alexa. This will involve several weeks of coding alone, as every input would need to manually written. While the Alexa PC app exists, it's not very ''smart'' and doesn't do anything of importance on a PC. This is a long process but will not fail. **
What else?** I'm still working out the kinks on this one, but it's something similar to what I've done before, only more advanced. I want to have 3 platforms at the top of the case that open and close depending on the system temperature. My initial idea is to run 3x 12v motors hooked up to a small PI, that is also connected to a fan header on the motherboard. The fan header reads the temperature of the CPU and opens and closes the platforms as and when required. Failing this, (will not give up easy) I'd implement the 3 motors + speed controller and have the platforms moving constantly.
**Modifications **Couldn't miss this part, it's where I feel I shine most! Firstly, I'd remove the front panel, cut away the frame (i have lots of experience with be quiet! cases, they were my first sponsor ever and I'll always hold a soft spot for this company) Once removed, I'll use my in-house laser cutter and fabricate my own custom reservoir to fit the front hole.
Next I'll cut away the back, and create my own GPU support bracket and reinforce the top panel (done this before on other mods, very successful and elegant when finished)
internally, all white with a very nice light blue accent. giving it a futuristic finish.
Remove the bodywork of the motherboard, re-do in a nice gloss white finish, try to cover as much of the black as i can while keeping the MSI branding.
This be quiet! case has 4 little caps on the inside for drive bays, these are in fact excellent for routing tubing. The back will also be open (no cover) meaning perfect cable management (like my jack Daniel's scratch build) and clean water runs.
you'll probably wonder, how will it look good if I just removed the panels, there's still gaps between the shroud and the case external. FEAR NOT! for i have a plan, I'll use mouldable white plastic here to fill these gaps and smooth off, for a flush finish on the front and back sides of the case. (Attention to detail is crucial)
**Finally, smart lights. **Around the front side mesh, I'd like to add LED flexible neon strips. These will glow in the same light blue as the other parts. Really showing off that accent. I've now decided to purchase an Alexa hub, dismantle it and re-wire the lights from the Alexa to the case lights, thus when you say ''Alexa'' the neon strips will ignite in blue.
I'll strive for perfection here.
Keyboard + Mouse I've opted for the RGB keyboard due to having that light blue glow, i will diss-assemble the keyboard and mouse, sand down, re-spray white and finally a 2k clear coat. I'll also sand down each keyboard key, and laser etch the letters and numbers etc back on (will etch in deep enough so that the digits are able to light up) These will match the system.
Can i do all this in 4 weeks? Well... yes. I'm taking the initiative and starting the coding of the custom Alexa app early. this should allow me to put all my focus and time into pure building and modding IF i am selected. I already have a large amount of acrylic here in my workshop, so waiting for orders won't be an issue.
Fingers crossed i do get selected, I've been wanting to impress intel for a while now and catch their attention. This could be a huge opportunity for me in both this contest and attracting intel! thanks for the chance.
If I have time to do more, I would love to create water blue looking resin sheets, and laser cut them to fit the shroud and rear of the case (see last 2 images) That way you can see through the middle of the shroud to see the pump and underside cable management. Dangerous, i know
Making the resin sheets is super easy, use the 2 part mix, mix in your colours, using a heat gun to remove the bubbles. Stick it in my 50w cutter, increase the power a little, and get to cutting!Absolutely NO parts (bar the hardware provided by intel) in this build will be sponsored in any way shape or form.
Methodology / Approach
With an in-house laser cutter, all fabrication is pretty straight forward. i have my own workshop filled with tools needed for cutting, grinding and whatever else i need doing. So custom work won't be an issue. I'd be looking at starting with a basic software package (not the Alexa app) as i want Alexa to control more than just appointments and calendars, I'd want Alexa to be able to reboot, start up and shutdown + speech to text and all the other bells and whistles such as opening steam + launching games.
Shroud: laser cut the connected logo, intel logo and the blue frame. repeat the same cuts on a light blue tinted sheet of acrylic. Place back into the shroud with the blue accents. (possibly backlit)
as for the top panels. I'm still figuring this part out, i have a basic understanding of what i need. they could even be Alexa controlled with a Wi-Fi chip such as the D1 relay.
Everything else is pretty straight forward. Sanding, paints, tube runs, cable combs, custom cable mounts etc.
Technologies Used
Seasonic FOCUS PX-850 Power Supply
SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD (doesn't matter which SSD really)
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3070 Video Card (I have a block for this already from EKWB)
be quiet! Silent Base 802 White
CORSAIR K68 RGB Gaming Keyboard
Logitech G502 HERO Gaming Mouse
MPG Z690 Carbon WIFI
2 x 32 GB memory ddr5 5200mhz
Intel Core i9 12900K
EK 360mm radiator
EK pump
EK fittings
EK waterblock (CPU)
EK GPU Block (Strix)
EXTRAS
Epoxy resin kit
Epoxy resin dye kit + Pigment kit
Reaper white and aqua blue cables.
Aqua blue + White artfix paints
Clear gloss 2k hard coat paint
using 50w Co2 Laser cutter 500x800mm
Multiple tools
Image of the design plan
