[Build Log] Woodland Raven - Case Mod Project [WIP]

[MEC-777]

Also, came to a final design concept that I really like. This is much better, IMO. More industrial and tech-inspired look yet will still maintain the organic element being made from a nice dark hardwood.

 

[WkdPaul]

Didn't realized GN had a Raven case, they have the RV02, and from quick search, it looks like they had it for a LONG time !!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1Iup1wtfFQ&t=1m30s

 

Those cases are really amazing, I'm surprised there aren't more.

 

[Zando_]

7 minutes ago, wkdpaul said:

Didn't realized GN had a Raven case, they have the RV02... Those cases are really amazing, I'm surprised there aren't more.

^^^ Yes. Really wish they had a version with watercooling support, the mobo orientation is awesome (especially because it totally eliminates GPU sag), but the only good watercooling cases like it are from Thermaltake, and I dislike what I've heard of their business practices

[MEC-777]

Alright, BIG update. Finally got some time to work on the chassis while I wait for the motherboard to be repaired at Asus (ram slot died).

 

So I've got most of the MDF prototype built. Other than the panels not quite lining up, it's looking pretty good, IMO. Honestly I didn't spend a ton of time cutting the panels perfectly, so yeah, they ain't perfect, lol. But again, this is just to prove the concept.

 

The gas shock scissor hinges are nicely weighted for the mass of the side panels that they raise up really smoothly (see videos). It will need something to hold the side panels down/closed though. The one side stays down under it's own weight, but just barely. The other side won't quite stay down. Might use magnets or something... Doesn't need much to hold 'em down.

 

Thing is getting  H E A V Y  though. Wouldn't be surprised if it ends up 80+lbs with all the hardware in it.

 

Anyways, time for big photo dump...

 

The new top lid hinges are so tiny, lol.

 

 

[MEC-777]

Moar pics...

[MEC-777]

And moar...

[MEC-777]

And a few quick videos. (That's it for now).

 

 

 

[MEC-777]

Time for a quick update.

 

The chassis:

-Proof of concept is almost complete, just need to test if magnets will work to hold the side panels closed.

-Working on figuring out how to mount the front USB & audio module.

-Currently sourcing material (wood) for the "real" final build.

-Sourcing a scroll saw and table saw.

 

The system:

-Waiting on AMD to send me a new CPU, had to RMA the 2700X due to faulty memory controller.

-Need to finish testing running Windows in VM on Linux host OS, with GPU passthrough.

-Might double the ram (16GB is minimal, IMO, for running the system like this).

-Looking to purchase SSD's (still debating on going M.2 NVMe or saving $50 +/- and going 2.5" SATA's...?)

-Looking to purchase a better, newer GPU for the Windows VM, run the RX 570 on the Linux host and ditch the 650Ti.

 

Just did our taxes, and there's a hefty refund in-bound. Will be using a little bit to get this project buttoned up.

 

Trying to decide between a Vega 56 (from ebay) or an RX 5600XT. Both have plenty of performance for my needs and I don't really need nor want to spend more than $400 (CAD). There's not a massive price difference (about $80+/- after tax) and they perform very similar with the 5600 sitting ahead by roughly 5-8%, overall. Downside to the Vega 56 is the higher power consumption (210w TDP vs 150). Leaning towards the 5600 because it's newer, will last longer and have full warranty.

 

Anyways, hoping to get the tools and materials for the final assembly very soon. Stay tuned...

[TVwazhere]

2 minutes ago, MEC-777 said:

Trying to decide between a Vega 56 (from ebay) or an RX 5600XT. Both have plenty of performance for my needs and I don't really need nor want to spend more than $400 (CAD). There's not a massive price difference (about $80+/- after tax) and they perform very similar with the 5600 sitting ahead by roughly 5-8%, overall. Downside to the Vega 56 is the higher power consumption (210w TDP vs 150). Leaning towards the 5600 because it's newer, will last longer and have full warranty.

Didnt you have a graph for this a while back? Was probably before the 5600 but still.

[NinJake]

Yay, taxes!... You get to say that 1 out of 365 days.

Double the ram? Why not!

Also, bite the bullet and go with the newer card.

[Meganter]

I'd advise a M.2 SATA then, same speed and price but hassle free for the cable management.

 

And the 5600XT over the Vega 56 but beware of the sketchie drivers

[WkdPaul]

19 minutes ago, Plouffe said:

I'd advise a M.2 SATA then, same speed and price but hassle free for the cable management.

Agreed, I was personally looking for a NVMe SSD but after I saw the video by LTT, I think a good SATA drive (m.2 or SATA) will do just fine for the needs I have, and I'm guessing it's the same here.

[Zando_]

2 minutes ago, wkdpaul said:

Agreed, I was personally looking for a NVMe SSD but after I saw the video by LTT, I think a good SATA drive (m.2 or SATA) will do just fine for the needs I have, and I'm guessing it's the same here.

Just keep in mind that NVMe drives can often cost less than the SATA alternatives lol, so I'd just go for the cheapest decent drive, whether it's NVMe or SATA. 

[WkdPaul]

4 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Just keep in mind that NVMe drives can often cost less than the SATA alternatives lol, so I'd just go for the cheapest decent drive, whether it's NVMe or SATA. 

Not in Canada sadly

 

I know US is a different beast when it comes to availability and price, but in Canada, even if we're right beside, we sometimes see increases as high as 50%

 

So that usually is only the case on large capacity drives, for 500GB and smaller , it's cheaper to get 2.5in SATA.

[Guest]

I always need a few mins before I can get up form my desk when I visit this thread.

[MEC-777]

54 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

Didnt you have a graph for this a while back? Was probably before the 5600 but still.

Yep. Added the 5600.

54 minutes ago, Plouffe said:

I'd advise a M.2 SATA then, same speed and price but hassle free for the cable management.

 

And the 5600XT over the Vega 56 but beware of the sketchie drivers

Not really concerned about the AMD driver issues. My 570 has been rock-solid and AMD just dropped their new 2020 Adrenaline Software that is said to fix a lot of the issues Navi owners were reporting.

 

And yeah, I'd prefer M.2 drives.

32 minutes ago, wkdpaul said:

Agreed, I was personally looking for a NVMe SSD but after I saw the video by LTT, I think a good SATA drive (m.2 or SATA) will do just fine for the needs I have, and I'm guessing it's the same here.

Yep, exactly.

30 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Just keep in mind that NVMe drives can often cost less than the SATA alternatives lol, so I'd just go for the cheapest decent drive, whether it's NVMe or SATA. 

 

23 minutes ago, wkdpaul said:

Not in Canada sadly

 

I know US is a different beast when it comes to availability and price, but in Canada, even if we're right beside, we sometimes see increases as high as 50%

 

So that usually is only the case on large capacity drives, for 500GB and smaller , it's cheaper to get 2.5in SATA.

Yep.

17 minutes ago, Den-Fi said:

I always need a few mins before I can get up form my desk when I visit this thread.

lol, TMI man. >_<

[MEC-777]

So interestingly I just checked PCPP for ~1TB SSDs and the current cheapest M.2 SSD is NMVe (Crucial P1). But at $145 I'm not sure it's worth it. I need 2 of them, but could go with 1 for now and add one later. The Samsung 860 QVO is $130, so not a huge difference. Will probably just go with a single M.2 for now and avoid the additional cables.

[MEC-777]

Brand spankin' new 2700X warranty replacement. (and Olivia photo-bombing with her Stitch toy, lol)

 

[TVwazhere]

10 hours ago, MEC-777 said:

(and Olivia photo-bombing with her Stitch toy, lol)

 

This is the important part of this build

[NinJake]

32 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

This is the important part of this build

Prior to Puppers, Personal Processors Performed Pointlessly!

 

...Now you can order another toy. And treats.

[MEC-777]

Back in business, folks!

 

 

 

 

[MEC-777]

Ran a few benchmarks today. Pleased to see performance is basically identical between the Windows VM and bare metal Windows.

Also found it amusing that the VM thinks it's running an AMD Epyc CPU...

 

 

 

 

 

[TVwazhere]

14 hours ago, MEC-777 said:

Also found it amusing that the VM thinks it's running an AMD Epyc CPU...

Thats epic

[MEC-777]

Realized the Windows VM was only running on 1 CPU core after running cinebench R15 with a hilarious score of 144. Got the CPU topology settings sorted out to properly allocate 6 cores and 12 threads to the VM. Much better!

 

[StarsMars]

OP reported for no NSFW warning.