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BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

Plant Rack Mod - Take 2

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.

 

I saved most of the parts from the old plant rack.  Here I am using the short rods to make a compact assembly.I saved most of the parts from the old plant rack. Here I am using the short rods to make a compact assembly.

 

Ok, it's getting a bit more stable, but not strong yet.Ok, it's getting a bit more stable, but not strong yet.

 

A cross-bar on the bottom helps.A cross-bar on the bottom helps.

 

A cross-bar on the top helps, but the two hoops help the most.  Should I cut them down?A cross-bar on the top helps, but the two hoops help the most. Should I cut them down?

 

Most of the computer should fit on one shelf, but I may use two shelves just because I can.  Hey, it's my mod after all.Most of the computer should fit on one shelf, but I may use two shelves just because I can. Hey, it's my mod after all.

 


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
51 Replies
cpurpe91
Volunteer Moderator

It looks like it is turning out pretty good. I love the lights. Very nice.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D, ASUS ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI, G.SKILL TRIDENT Z NEO 2x16GB DDR5 DRAM 6000MT/s CL30, AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, LIAN LI EDGE 1300, Corsair MP600 PRO NH 4TB
BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

Ok, all my parts that were in transit arrived on my birthday (27 Jan), so I was pretty excited about that.  Today, on the 28th of January, I was able to spend the afternoon building up the brackets to hold the AIO radiator and that went very well.  I'm getting pretty good at bending metal and then drilling holes with a countersink to attach the bars to the radiators (similar thing with my Wine-Cool build last year).  I managed to carry the open-case build up stairs to our music room and place it onto the lower shelf of 'Green-with-Envy'; my mounting screws still lined up and it was secure.  

 

I connected the DP monitor cable and the PSU cable.  I pressed the remote power button....and nothing.  Ok, I figured right away it was the PSU switch that was turned off.  I flipped that switch and hit my power button again....and yes!  We had a successful boot into the BIOS.  That's such a good feeling, you know?  Anyway, I got Windows 11 Home edition loaded, using an old Windows USB install drive and a Windows key that I purchased online for about $31 USD.  So far everything is running well and I still have lots of software to install and / or tweak.  I did a bit of gaming via Steam and that went well.   

 

Down the road a bit, I will finish the shelves with some type of varnish / stain to protect them from water damage.  For now, I have plastic on the shelves and there are several plants there that will enjoy the 12-hour LED grow lights.

 

I got the 34" monitor set up after we came home from my birthday dinner.I got the 34" monitor set up after we came home from my birthday dinner.

 

Here on the 28th of January, I am attaching the AIO to the CPU.Here on the 28th of January, I am attaching the AIO to the CPU.

 

Time to make  the two radiator support brackets.Time to make the two radiator support brackets.

 

The first one is almost done.The first one is almost done.

 

Looking pretty good and level too.Looking pretty good and level too.

 

Second support bracket made and it's close enough for government work.Second support bracket made and it's close enough for government work.

 

Now drilling the holes and attaching the first support bracket to the AIO radiator.Now drilling the holes and attaching the first support bracket to the AIO radiator.

 

The second AIO support bracket is now attached.  Looks like a big spider or something.The second AIO support bracket is now attached. Looks like a big spider or something.

 

Placing the computer assembly into the bottom shelf of the plant rack.Placing the computer assembly into the bottom shelf of the plant rack.

 

Booting up and installing Windows 11 Home edition.Booting up and installing Windows 11 Home edition.

 

Our cat Donald approves of my design.  It's cat safe with that lower screen.Our cat Donald approves of my design. It's cat safe with that lower screen.

 

Yes, this is a gaming computer.  The plant lights have turned off at this point since they are on their own timer.Yes, this is a gaming computer. The plant lights have turned off at this point since they are on their own timer.

 


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

What do you guys think?  It's basically done, except for the shelves that need to be finished once it warms up in a few months.  I might just keep that 7900 XTX in there since it came with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.  I will be looking for a new RDNA-4 GPU in March though, to replace this 7900 XTX that I removed from 'Through the Looking Glass'.  That computer only has an RX 590 Fatboy now.

 

@mengelag @cpurpe91 @blazek @Sam_AMD  


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
mengelag
Volunteer Moderator

I think it looks absolutely awesome man! You definitely went next level on it!

Ryzen 7800X3D - Radeon 7900XTX - MSI Tomahawk X670e MB - 64gb 6000mhz G-Skill Neo - Noctua NH D15 - Seasonic Focus V3 GX-1000W PSU - 4TB Samsung Gen. 5 NVMe - Fractal Torrent Case - ROG PG48UQ OLED
BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

Thank you.


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
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cpurpe91
Volunteer Moderator

You put a lot of thought into this. It looks great. I like radiator mount. It's really cool.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D, ASUS ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI, G.SKILL TRIDENT Z NEO 2x16GB DDR5 DRAM 6000MT/s CL30, AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, LIAN LI EDGE 1300, Corsair MP600 PRO NH 4TB
BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

Thanks.  It's a labor of love actually.


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
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BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

Full documentation is on my website now.


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
0 Likes
BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

Today my 23" x 23" plastic shelf liners arrived.  I received a four pack but I only needed two since there are only two shelves that hold the plants.  They fit perfectly, and I didn't need to trim them at all.  This is better than the plastic bags I had on there to protect the wood until I can finish the shelves once the weather warms up.  Green with Envy is running well.  

 

Four plastic shelf liners cost me about $30 USD.Four plastic shelf liners cost me about $30 USD.

 

They fit well and no cutting  was necessary.They fit well and no cutting was necessary.

 

The plants are back on the shelves and it looks good.The plants are back on the shelves and it looks good.

 


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
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BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

I added a sign to the top shelf so everyone would know what I called this mod.  I also have the name being displayed on the Lian Li AIO display, but it's hard to see it down there.  That's one reason I moved the radiator forward so that you could see the AIO display.  It's the thought that counts, right?

I used to have name plates on all my computers a dozen years ago.  For some reason, I haven't done it for a while.  The names are creative, just like my builds!I used to have name plates on all my computers a dozen years ago. For some reason, I haven't done it for a while. The names are creative, just like my builds!

 


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
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mengelag
Volunteer Moderator

It's those little details that make "Green with Envy" great. What are you growing on the second shelf?

Ryzen 7800X3D - Radeon 7900XTX - MSI Tomahawk X670e MB - 64gb 6000mhz G-Skill Neo - Noctua NH D15 - Seasonic Focus V3 GX-1000W PSU - 4TB Samsung Gen. 5 NVMe - Fractal Torrent Case - ROG PG48UQ OLED
BigAl01
Volunteer Moderator

Sandra is growing mesclun and radish on the second shelf.  They have already sprouted.  She wants to see if the light is sufficient for growing the seedlings before she plants more.  On top we have orchids that will probably bloom within a month.


As Albert Einstein said, "I could have done so much more with a Big Al's Computer!".
0 Likes