[Build Log] Gnosis: Half-Breed Evolution, Laptop to Desktop conversion.

[FranBunnyFFXII]

Originally Posted on Overclock.net: http://www.overclock.net/t/1499810/build-log-gnosis-half-breed-evolution-laptop-to-desktop-conversion/

Gnosis, the name of this build, is a feminine greek word meaning "Knowledge" a name I chose because this build is an application of lesser known knowledge and research.

This is probably going to be a fairly unique build, but will take a long time(considering money limitations). But I've set out to do some modding and convert my Intel Core i7 Ivybridge based custom laptop into a full factor desktop.

This will be accomplished by installing the laptop into a case, rigging up Case fans, purchasing eGPU mod parts, a very high quality desktop PSU(with the intentions to build a full desktop later), and a flagship desktop GPU from AMD(R9 290X/390X)

I currently run Dual screen Eyefinity(3200x900 but scales up to 3840x1080 System Navite OGSSAA Resolution), and I absolutely love the perspective and resolution. I'll be purchasing a duplicate of the dell monitor to saw off the edges of both monitors and stitch them together to create the smallest center bezel possible.

"Why mod the laptop instead of building a whole new desktop?" Simply put, with 135$ parts for eGPU modding, and PSU, I can utilize desktop GPUs for the laptop(with a performance hit of course). To achive the performance of the laptop's core hardware I'd have to spend quite a bit of money, where as I can mod the laptop and still utilize the already purchased hardware but just get a Desktop GPU to make up for the lacking graphics power.

Intel Core i7 3740QM @ 4.05ghz OC(4.15ghz Gaming OC)

Kingston HyperX 12GB dual channel 1866mhz RAM @ 1941mhz OC

2x60GB SSD+750GB HDD(1xOS , HDD+SSD caching)

HM77 Alienware M17X motherboard (unlocked)

Mods To Do list

*Internal Case QoL

• Case Fans Power - Completed
• New CPU Fan - Not yet completed
• USB Hubs - 2 of 3 aquired, USB 2.0 2x7 ports Arrived, Needed: USB 3.0 4 port - soon - 2 of 3 placed
• Internal Power strip - Completed
• Laptop Power brick placed - Completed
• External USB HDDs placed - Completed

*Desktop Speakers - selected, yet to be purchased

*Eyefinity Display center bezel reduction mod

• 2nd dell IPS monitor - In wish list, yet to be purchased
• Bezels cut and placed - Not yet completed

*OGSSAA Display(I need to replace the monitor I broke) :sad-smile

*Desktop PSU - Selected: Antec Earthwatts 650 Watt, yet to be purchased

*Desktop Hard Drive Swap: Internal Power supply 3TB Hard Drive+Sata Cable and hard drive mount,

*Desktop Graphics Card

• eGPU Modification - Parts list confirmed, yet to be purchased.
• Desktop GPU - Selected: Sapphire R9 290X(R9 280X?) - Unable to Aquire for now

First update here: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/181909-build-log-gnosis-half-breed-evolution-laptop-to-desktop-conversion/?p=2443928

Pics of what's done so far. (See the updates for more current pictures)

Case: NZXT Phantom 530 Red

The Laptop: Alienware Super M17X R4 custom.

Front Air intake

Laptop mounting placement, Hard drive cages removed.

Connections so far. USB connections will be replaced with USB hubs when they arrive. VGA will eventually be replaced by MiniDP to DVI

Cable rigging.

Fan Power supply, Powered USB Hub for fan power source.

Laptop base plate removed to allow better airflow to core components

[FranBunnyFFXII]

First update, some progress

Completed the core cable rigging, put the external hard drives into the case, and mounted all the USB hubs, power strips, and put all up into the cable management.

Inside of the case looks clean and organized now.

Pics!

Raw cable rigging with everything mounted on the motherboard tray.

What's plugged in?

2x USB hubs with 7 usb ports 6 on top 1 at the end. 2x External hard drive PSUs, 1 Fan PSU, Laptop PSU, the last socket open is for the desktop PSU when I get it mounted.

[FranBunnyFFXII]

Update pictures!

Reworked the wiring

 

Final USB rigging, its fantastic now.

[CoolBeans]

Can I ask why?

[miyabwah]

Well this will be... Interesting to say the least...

[FranBunnyFFXII]

Can I ask why?

[Guest]

Interesting, looking forward to seeing this done

[gilm0re3]

Interesting. Just. Interesting.

 

<insert iaintevenmad.png here>

[Quantum]

Well... isn't that just a bit unorthodox. 
  

[FranBunnyFFXII]

I think you'd be better off saving up for an actual desktop.

 

It wouldn't

I'd never sell my M17X

I wish people would stop trying to give me advice when I didn't ask for it.

[ericlee30]

I like it, its unique.

[ShadowCaptain]

how....odd (interesting?)

 

I could never dream of hiding my m18x away

[FranBunnyFFXII]

how....odd (interesting?)

 

I could never dream of hiding my m18x away

 

I think a few people are missing that I'm not modding the laptop so it's unusable.

What people aren't catching is that I'm basically creating a massive glorified docking station.

 

I will be able to pull the laptop out of the case and still use it as a laptop.

I'll be able to take it out of the case, pull out the laptop powerbrick, drop the travel hard drive back in, then put the backplate back on and go.

I'll have a USB Wifi adaptor to replace the wifi card that was taken out so I could utilize graphics card hardware.

But the laptop certainly won't be made immobile. 

 

Not really hiding it away, its just "Things aren't always what they seem" ~Zyra

[Toxicc]

MUCH originality 

[Guest]

I'm not willing to join in on the argument, but everyone has their own reasons for doing things. If you don't like the idea, think about it and move on, no need to make a big deal out of it.

I'm actually really interested in seeing something differentiating from the stereotypical build, and I think that is what makes a cool build log.

 

More updates please

[acidydragon]

Interesting docking station. I dig the idea of the project, and the work put into it. That said, language is a tad intense for my liking, and if you didn't want suggestions, putting the post on a forum wasn't the best idea.

 

Either way, not here to create problems, I like the idea, I wouldn't do the same, but that's why you're making this, not me.

[FloRolf]

This is kinda cool but completely out of my style cause i fucking hate laptops. Gonna sub anyways to see how you want to mod a desktop grade gpu into that thing ^^ (if i understood correctly...)

[d33g33]

I don't fully understand, surely something like a DynaDock would have been easier but its kinda cool.

[steffen_anywhere]

how....odd (interesting?)

 

I could never dream of hiding my m18x away

 

I still want your Mx 11 just cuz of how cute that thing is...

[ShadowCaptain]

I still want your Mx 11 just cuz of how cute that thing is..

 

thats why I havnt sold it even though I barely use it, its the cutest (most badass) laptop ever

[Terminashunator]

I got a G73Sw with half the parts bummed out on it. I should try this, use a Mini PCIe to Full Size PCIe adapter and put a desktop GPU with it.

 

LIke THIS with a Raiser Cable.

The Intel Core i7 2630QM is quite a beefy CPU still.

[helping]

i..

 

um

 

 

my head is melting

[ShearMe]

[Fred Castellum]

Wow... I've never seen such a thing.... laptop to desktop conversion in this matter lol... intriguing 

[Vitalius]

I love it. In fact, I think this is my favorite build I've seen yet. 9/10 

It'd be 10/10 if you'd link me to that background of yours. This one, specifically.

No, but seriously, epic idea. I can't understand how Dual Screen gaming doesn't hurt your head, but that is a cool super power to have (like I can game for any period of time without my eyes hurting).