The GPU TOMB

[Tapoculos]

So recently I found that my old 8800gt had died. It was probably the coolest gpu on the market at the time and i personally thing that this was the card to change the graphics industry. 

 

I figured that I would create something special for it. My main purpose was mainly influenced by the fact that the gpu cover is really quite beautiful.  

 

I started with an old miniatures collectors box. and proceed to mock up the build. 

 After figuring out what i wanted to do i got out the pliers and started the dismantlement of the shelving

Its important to note that I am on a tight budget. intact i only spent 15$ on this.

 

 I decided that it was going to be necessary to get rid of the old wood finish and spray it black

 

I chose Rustoleum semi-gloss enamel.

Im sure i could have found a better paint but this was in my home already thus making it free.

l got down as close as i could to the back plate for the casing but was unable to remove it completely without the need for a sander

 

now its time to paint. Notice that it is nice and sunny outside.

with the first coat done it started to drizzle. I quickly set in motion applying the second coat to the casing.

Right on time. The rain started to pour 

 It was now time to re- Hot glue the trimmings.

With the glass re-inserted I am finally able to in-vision what it is i am making. 

This part really hurt me. I have always tried to be careful with my hardware. even though this particular card was dead and non functioning It pained me to glop on a chunk of hot glue and some wood which I had recycled from the case.

I don't know about you guys but just seeing that picture makes me want to stop everything and shout, " you are doing it wrong"

 

The card is now in the case. I lined the back of it with black cardstock to give it a nice dark backing. 

Time to start using all that money set aside for this project. Get up and go to Walmart and buy a set of blue car LEDs. Try to find ones that have a nice strong battery unless you want to wire them in with an a/c adapter. 

Mind the dirty fingernails. I was painting earlier.

I removed the red button that originally lets you test the light while in the packaging and wire in a 2-way switch i had in the parts box. 

I know that the wiring is messy but trust me I clean it up a lot. The good news is that we are half way done. LIGHTS ON!

Time for something to put in the top portion of the case. 

I decided on some branding seeing as i am a loyal customer. ( AMD fellows can opt for the Red LEDS).

 find some branding that you like. I highly recommend some good card stock paper and a high quality setting selected when in the print preferences. Get a permanent maker to get rid of the white edges if the cuts aren't perfect. 

COPY / PASTE 

Get some all purpose spray adhesive to make them stick to the backing. Some glue can make the paper warp.

 Finally we are all done here. I know the Nvidia logo is kinda weird but i think it turned out okay considering I don't have a exato knife. 

This thing is awesome when lit up. Now i just have to go back and glue that black card stock back down. hopefully it stays. 

 

 

Tell me what you think and how i could possible wire this to be plugged in?

I plan on making more stuff like this when i come across some cool hardware and potentialy selling it on auction site for charity

[bchampion96]

A worthy tomb for an epic card. Good job.

[tarmaan501]

That's awesome! Great job!

[CoolBeans]

That is pretty awesome.

[xToFxREAPER]

wonderful idea man good way to put a legendary card to rest

[Kuzma]

This is beautiful I love it!

[understaticpressure]

Thats a really nice little project, looks awesome when finished!

[EvilBugga]

wow nice! i want to do this with my EVGA gtx7800 as that had recently died.

nice job

[YellowDragon]

Huge props to the 8800 GT, One of my all time favorites, I still have mine and it runs like the first day I bought it, though it can no longer serve me in gaming, it lives on it my parents email machine :P.

[Gamebozzo]

looks awesome

[Tapoculos]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to try to find an old 8800 ultra to buy and get another project like this. I think it looks too good not to hang in an home office/ gaming room.

[zarrexx]

This is EPIC!!!

[Emperor_Piehead]

The only I could think of plugging it in would be to get some PC leds and use Phoyba's 90w psu which has a single molex connector.

[Tapoculos]

I thought about that but i am trying to figure out if i could just use something like a small wall wart. I don't have room in there for a brick. 

[Tapoculos]

These are 12v lights by the way. 

[Liam-McShane]

Brings a tear to my eye  :(

[terrytek]

RIP 8800 GT. Hopes it lives on in GPU Heaven. What a great way to decommision a dead GFX.

[WorldDominator]

I have a PNY 8800 in my first rig that someone else built for me :D

[Terminashunator]

Get a 12v wall wart? Look at old Cordless phones, radios, etc. I have a box of wall warts

[Le Reaper]

THIS IS AWESOME! I personally never owned a 8800. I went from a fx 5200 to my current Radeon 7870. 

[Ookami]

Its EVGA one - have you tried to RMA it and they send you back new one? :P :P

Couldnt resist, sorry. But I agree 8800GT was epic cards and the stand for it looks nice.

[_ASSASSIN_]

would you mind answering, what camera do you have, it looks absolutely gorgeous the shots you took.

[Tapoculos]

Its EVGA one - have you tried to RMA it and they send you back new one? :P :P

Couldnt resist, sorry. But I agree 8800GT was epic cards and the stand for it looks nice.

It's a canon T4i / 650D. I'm using the 50mm 1.8 lens. The lighting was really good on some shots. I love this camera.

[gylmir]

Awesome and looks realy professional great to hang on walls and your pc history .

Rip to the card and on how many hours porn it hase been showing probably

[Rekhyt]

A good alternative to using it as a coaster ^_^

 

That's great job, it looks really dramatic and awesome!