Here's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I'm working on a 4 PC system test machine. I will be putting 4 complete computer systems in one case. There will be a complete AMD XP and X2 dual core system, also there will be a complete P4 and Intel Core Duo system. Each will have their own Hard Drive, PSU and power button. They will all be able to use one LCD mounted on top. I will just need to adjust the plugs on the back and boot up the system I want to use. Obviously no normal case can hold this many parts so I will be using an organizer I recently bought.

Here's kinda what it'll look like



First I have to cut these off:

Update: All 4 PC's will use the same keyboard, mouse and monitor via a KVM switch

So begins the fun!



That was easy



And they're off!



Then comes the plexi fitting.




There's one side. I attached it with rivets.




I'll wait to attach the other side till later. I first need to mount the components on plexi "drawers" and slide them in. At the end I will attach the other side panel with screws.

I found this old topper to my Mother-Bored PC to help with my intake.



I slid it into the bottom and since cold air settles on the bottom it'll be a primo place to have air sucked up and in.

You are clearly insane. Can't wait to see the final product

Quote: Originally Posted by 4x0n You are clearly insane. Can't wait to see the final product

Now if only we could get him to *finish* one of his projects!

But I like where this is going ... TGS always has great stuff to show off.

-godling

Quote: Originally Posted by 4x0n You are clearly insane. Can't wait to see the final product

That's not INSANE that's just SATAN!

Keep up the Great Work

Thanks guys. I will finish this one because I actually need it. Here's what I'm using:

The Athlon 64 X2 BE-2300 which runs at 1.9GHz and uses only 45 Watts and not the normal 65 watts. The motherboard is AM2 and AM2+ compatible.

I don't have the dual Core Intel system yet.

For AMD single core, I think I have the 2800+, but I'll have to check

The Intel single core will be a Pentium 4 running at 1.7GHz

All the computers will have their own power supplies, DVD drives, hard drives (Windows XP Pro) and 1 Gig of memory. As of now I will be using onboard video and sound, but that might change later. On Monday or Tuesday I'm going to Lowes to have the real thick plexi cut out for me for each of the landings.

Alright, the Intel dual core will be a plain jane E2140. That's all I actually need anyway.


Here's a rough idea of the front.

Quote: Originally Posted by TheGreatSatan Alright, the Intel dual core will be a plain jane E2140. That's all I actually need anyway. Here's a rough idea of the front.

What's the electricity bill like at your place?

If you've already got the 4 DVD drives, great. If not, do you need to have four? Could you use a USB hub to access just one or two from each machine?

Wait, wait! What about a RAM hub? 4 Gigs of RAM that could be accessed by any machine on a USB hub ... now that would be cool ... and by extension, a PCIx hub for video ... now I'm getting ahead of myself ...

-godling

Electricity shouldn't be an issue because no two computers will be running at the same time. And yes I do have 4 DVD drives already. Also, I got the plexi today, the real thick stuff. So thick, that Lowes was unable to cut it for me.

So here's the plexi and my how I'll cut it tonight.



I'll use which ever works. I'm waiting for the other mobo's to arrive.





Here's the RAM for the dual core mobo's, 2 sticks, 1GB each



And the RAM for the single core Mobo's, 2 sticks for each, 1GB total



I have lots of drives available



And lots of PSU's

Has anyone installed XP on an external drive before? I'm thing of using an external drive on my Framed project, so when I boot up what ever system I'm using, I could just plug in the external drive. Also, would this not be a good idea because of all the different motherboards and their individual drivers?

Quote: Originally Posted by TheGreatSatan Has anyone installed XP on an external drive before? I'm thing of using an external drive on my Framed project, so when I boot up what ever system I'm using, I could just plug in the external drive. Also, would this not be a good idea because of all the different motherboards and their individual drivers?

Well, if you use a bootmanager, can't you specify which system it boots up? Otherwise, yes, I suspect there would definitely be issues with the different mobo's.

alternately, someone posted a thread here 1-2 years ago about moving XP hard disk from one system to another ... something about wiping out the mobo chipset drivers first, then loading a new set when it switches over. If you could automate that based on which system you boot to ... I don't know. Just throwing stuff out there.

-godling

So it took a good half hour, but I got it all cut out. The blue is the plastic covering which will be coming off.




A little problem arose.....

A standard ATX mobo will NOT fit, even on the widest part. I'll have to use all MATX boards. I hope they fit on the smaller parts though.

My Dual Core AMD board arrived. It's MATX and fits on the smallest section. So the good news is, they'll all fit!




Just Perfect

That's an interesting project!

Are you going to maybe do anything to help with cable management (especially out the back!!)
I'm imagining that you'll have a spaghetti nightmare with 4 systems in the same enclosure

I think I'll make a "box" of sorts that will run along the back and contain the mess

My Single Core P4 arrived today.


I haven't put the stand offs in yet. I'm waiting till I have all of the boards and am sure of their placement.

Finally, All of my systems are here!





First I have to mount the PSU's, then I'll get the standoffs in place.