sleeper build Siemens Scenic 600 Sleeper Build (Haswell / Maxwell)

[Lina Blue]

Hello, this is my first post, and my first non standard PC I built.

But my 2.5th PC build.

 

0. Preface

 

I always wanted to do a sleeper build, but never found a case, which I could work in. Originally, I wanted to try an IBM PS2 or PC 330, but those would require extensive reworks to get anything fitted inside. But then I remembered the other old PCs used in school. Those Fujitsu Siemens computers with a transparent green fronts.

A quick search revealed some expensive and heavily used systems all over the world. And after some browsing trough eBay, I found one in almost perfect condition for a reasonable price. Untested of course.

For my use, untested is fine.

And after delivery, it didn't boot. And I didn't want to mess around with that as I really only wanted it for my sleeper build. I still have the Siemens parts and will give them to my old PC tinker friend.

For Hardware, I just use what I currently had as my main PC. Also, the Maxwell are supposedly the last highend GPUs by NVidia with DVI-I for direct VGA access.

 

Old Spec:
Siemens Scenic 661

Intel Pentium III @ 500MHz

64MB SDRAM/100

Matrox Millenium G200 LE 8MB

4.3GB HDD

40x CD-ROM

3.5" FDD

Windows NT Workstation 4.0

 

New Spec:

Asrock Killer X99m

Intel i7 5820K @ 3.5GHz

32GB DDR4 / 2300

EVGA Geforce Titan X Superclocked 12GB

Samsung XP941 250GB m.2 SSD

Intel SSD 750 400GB PCIe

WD Red 6TB

Blu-ray / DVD / CD-ROM

Card Reader and USB

 

 

Picture shows computer after successfull procedure.

 

 

 

1. Taking a look inside

 

After opening it up. There was not much in it. But such cleanliness...

 

 

2 slot Harddrive bay and cone PC speaker

 

Testfit

 

Seems to fit. 

 

 

 

Or does it?

 

 

2. Trimming down

 

I knew the PCIe power for the GPU will be a problem, and first I thought the EVGA Powerlink L-Bracket may help. But I only have about 10mm clearence.

 

 

But after some quick search engine shenigans, I found out I could clip off some plastic and bend the cables away.

 

 

Not pretty, but practical.

 

3. preliminary cooling

 

There is so little airflow in this case. I mounted a fan at the ISA card holders to draw some cool air for the GPU. The CPU is currently out of luck.

But Idle temperatures hover around the 60°C mark, incl some internet browsing and YouTube consumption.

 

But starting anything slightly demanding, GPU and CPU go up to 80°C. There will be thermal throtteling eventually.

 

 

4. Next steps

 

To improove cooling, I'll need to cut or drill holes in the currently still 100% stock case.

I thought of installing a 240mm AIO unit with the rad mounted on the GPU side as an intake. And a fan to vent the mainboard around the GPU.

 

That should drop temperatures drastically. Just need to find a mounting solution for the rad.

 

Edited January 11 by Lina Blue
typo cpu

[flibberdipper]

Hell yeah. I'd love to get one of these and just use it as is with a few upgrades (maybe a switch to a 370 based P3). Something you could do to try and help temps would be drilling a honeycomb-style pattern into the stock slot covers. It can be surprising how much that's able to help with thermals.

 

Also totally looks like the metal above the I/O could handle a pair of 60mm Noctuas.

[Tonberry]

5 hours ago, flibberdipper said:

Also totally looks like the metal above the I/O could handle a pair of 60mm Noctuas. 

I second this. I think it will help to dump the heat from the CPU cooler out effectively.

[Lina Blue]

9 hours ago, flibberdipper said:

Hell yeah. I'd love to get one of these and just use it as is with a few upgrades (maybe a switch to a 370 based P3). Something you could do to try and help temps would be drilling a honeycomb-style pattern into the stock slot covers. It can be surprising how much that's able to help with thermals.

 

Also totally looks like the metal above the I/O could handle a pair of 60mm Noctuas.

For now, I replaced the unsued slot covers with modern honeycomb ones, Didn't test yet for thermals.

3 hours ago, PotatoCanDo! said:

I second this. I think it will help to dump the heat from the CPU cooler out effectively.

I just measured the space above the rear I/O shield, and I have excactly 60mm between the end of the I/O shield and the top wedge. It would be very thight. And I wonder if the top cover could still be locked in place, as it's locking mechanism connects right there (the two wide slots at the top edge).

 

But thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Tonberry]

2 hours ago, ZueriHB said:

For now, I replaced the unsued slot covers with modern honeycomb ones, Didn't test yet for thermals.

I just measured the space above the rear I/O shield, and I have excactly 60mm between the end of the I/O shield and the top wedge. It would be very thight. And I wonder if the top cover could still be locked in place, as it's locking mechanism connects right there (the two wide slots at the top edge).

 

But thank you for the suggestion.

 

How about 2x 40mm fans then? The one that many people install it on their 3D printers head.

[Lina Blue]

On 8/6/2019 at 3:38 PM, PotatoCanDo! said:

How about 2x 40mm fans then? The one that many people install it on their 3D printers head.

They should fit there.I could install up to four of them next to each other and run them real slowly.

 

But I opted for the AIO approach and fitted a rad next to the GPU. After some tests and simulations, I have acceptable temps for such a situation.

 

 

Now I just need to drill ventilation holes into the sides of the top cover.

 

Another question I have for you guys. Currently, the entire outside is stock. Should I apply additional case badges or not?

 

[flibberdipper]

3 hours ago, ZueriHB said:

They should fit there.I could install up to four of them next to each other and run them real slowly.

Another question I have for you guys. Currently, the entire outside is stock. Should I apply additional case badges or not?

To be fair, if you dropped big bucks on Noctua's 40mm fans, you could probably run those near full tilt and still have a very quiet system, those things are not bad at all.

 

Also nah, I'd leave just the stock stickers personally. Really sell the whole sleeper aesthetic.

[Neomuffins]

Awesome and clean build! The stock stickers look good. If you do change them, I would just see if you could get new windows/intel badges, as a hint at whats inside maybe, but nothing else.

[misterpumpy]

I *really* like this build, in part because it reminds me of systems from when I was a kid. Those pentium III case stickers used to make me look at a tower or a rack with absolute awe when I was young. Really fun system! 

[Lina Blue]

Thank you all for the kind words.

 

I adhere to your advice and leave the original badges bee.

As I'm currently collecting offers for the ventilation holes (I lack the proper tooling), I converted my external USB netMD deck to an internal deck. Currently all wires still go outside, but USB 2.0 should not be a problem. More concerned about getting +9V for it though. But a DC / DC converter should do the trick.

 

And no, I can't hook up it's audio trough the MBs front audio connection, as those are blocked by my capture cards passtrough

 

[Exia 00]

I Really like this build. Any updates on how you're getting on with it?

[Lina Blue]

Thank you.

 

I have the Sony NetMD drive connected internally trough an USB A adapter and a DC-DC PSU. Audio still needs to go outside, as the HD Audio header is blocked trough my capture card.

 

The only thing missing is to drill further holes for better ventilation. GPU and CPU never exceed 80°C (70° idle) and 70°C (50° idle) respectivly under high load, but some lower temperatures would be preferable.

 

I'll update after that had been done.

 

Also currently trying to acquire a CRT with higher resolutions than 640 x 480 ^^.

[Exia 00]

The Sony NetMD Drive is really unique. I've not seen one of those in years. It's a shame you can't hook it up directly to the

audio pins. Still, it's perfect for the old retro sleeper look.

 

Look forward to seeming more progress on the build. Good luck

[Lina Blue]

No new pictures to show, but some additional holes have been drilled. I know have "acceptable" temps. Had no problems what so ever at a LAN Party. Only some weird looks because of my monitor choice ^^.

I was able to choose 1024x768 @120Hz or 1920x1444 @60Hz and almost anything in-between. After experiencing high refresh rate gaming, my next monitor will support 120Hz.

 

My friend was currently playing Metroid, so no Desktop pic ^^.