I was busy this afternoon updating my LAN gaming machines (Windows Updates, Norton updates, Adrenalin 24.12.1 updates and things of this nature) and while waiting in-between updates, I started assembling what I think will become a new build in early 2025 - my Plant Rack Mod, or a better name might be 'Green-With-Envy'. I do like catchy names for my custom builds you see.
So, what am I talking about? Well, a few months ago I bought my wife a new plant rack for her orchid growing hobby, this time using LED illumination as opposed to the old florescent tube lighting. I bought the new rack from Amazon, and you can see how that went together here. Anyway, I just cannot throw anything out it seems. I had an idea that I could use the old plant rack pieces (minus the florescent tube lights, which I took to the dumpster) to make a smaller assembly that would hold an open-case computer. As for the new computer build, I have only a CPU (AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D), a few 1 TB M.2 drives and an open frame test-bench case. I will need to procure all the other parts, meaning PSU, RAM, motherboard, fans, and LED lighting too.
But as for now, I am only checking out what I can do with the old plant rack to make it into a sort of case configuration. These early pictures show you my idea, but it could easily change in the coming weeks. I might want to cut it down in height. I will need to figure out how to mount some shelves, perhaps plywood or something else I might have lying around my storage room.
Tell me what you think of this idea and what comes to your mind as I proceed into January 2025 with this build. It could easily take a few months, so it's kind of a back-burner mod. I don't need another computer, that's for sure. But I just can't help myself when the creative juices start flowing.
We had a great turnout for our Holiday LAN party yesterday! More than a dozen gamers, but some played pool or spent most of their time talking to old friends. Lots of games were evident, but I really didn't have time to write down the games that were played. I think my grandson played World of Tanks, so I'm happy about that! I played several rounds of pool too. I cooked up two trays of chicken on the grill and my wife Sandra made a crock pot full of chili (which was gone before you knew it). We had four pieces of chicken left when people started departing around 9 PM. Here's a few pictures. I will update my website soon with more.
Ok, I've gotten back into the swing of things here in early January 2025. I ordered a keyboard and mouse kit from Mountain and that arrived today. Also today (09 January 2025), I went ahead with a better idea of making the shelves from 1/2" plywood and having that cut for me at Home Depot. Without power tools, I was left with a hand saw and lots of work, so it made sense to me. I actually found two 2' by 4' 1/2" thick quality plywood, and had each one cut in two, giving me a total of 4 shelves at 24" x 24". I will notch out the corners and that will keep them in place - but only the three that I need. I don't think there is room for 4 shelves, since plants need some room.
As for notching out the corners, I spent some time making a cardboard template too, using a cut up monitor box to get me the 2' x 2' size. I initially tried a 1" hole saw on the template corners, but that wasn't quite enough. So for the actual wood shelves, I will use a 1 1/4" hole saw. That's why you build a template for development work like this.
Hey, I just saw this new item from Corsair: Corsair Announces Xeneon Edge Touch Screen for PC Cases
Now I can use something like that on the bottom shelf where the computer components are going to be mounted. I think it would look pretty sweet. It's not available yet, and will likely cost around $250, but hey - it's only money.
I was busy for a few hours on Saturday afternoon (11 January 2025), prior to pouring wines at a wine party with 20 people in attendance (and 17 bottles). That's a story for another time, but I've included one picture here to give you an idea. Anyway, I was using a hole saw with both 1" and 1 1/4" sizes on the corners of one shelf, but the shelves were just too tight. So instead I cut first a 1" square and then decided I needed to cut 1 1/4" squares on the corners, using my hacksaw (and a new blade for a change). This worked much better and I finished fitting one of three shelves.
A 1200 Watt Platinum PSU arrived from a wonderful friend, and as you can see, it fits in the open frame mounting that I had bought for around $21 from Newegg. I don't know much about what system I will build, other than it will be AM5 using an Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU. The computer build might not happen until February, as I still have much work to do with the frame of the plant rack / shelves. I need to cut and drill some pipes too, always a fun thing to do. But it's starting to come along now and my ideas are still swirling around in my head as to how the computer will be mounted, what CPU cooling solution I will use and things of this nature.
Your suggestions are welcome at this point.
A very productive 3 hours this morning (13 January 2025). I finished notching the other two shelves, and then I cut and drilled the pipes needed to build up the rack. I believe I am now done with the basic structure of 'Green with Envy'; finishing the shelves with some type of stain / satin finish will require a warmer day above 50 F. Now I can start thinking about the LED plant lighting assemblies and fans that will circulate air around the plants. I expect my wife will want orchids on this rack, but none of ours are blooming at the moment so I placed a few other plants on the shelves for a nice picture. Oh, I do believe I earned that glass of wine too! It's a 2020 vintage red Bordeaux.
Can you guys see the direction I am going in? I want to incorporate a few new things that I haven't done before, and we'll see what becomes available out of last week's 2025 CES event in Las Vegas.
Speaking of wheels, I bought a computer chair yesterday after doing my cat rescue activities. I have four of these chairs now.
