My Man Cave

[FluffHarding]

Thought i would post a couple of pics of My Man Cave in its temp state.

Basically I use to have my Computer setup in the Larger Spare room and as my Daughter is growing up i had to move her out of the smaller room and into the larger bedroom so unfortunetley had to re locate my Computers.

 

Now i know 2 of the builds i have here a separate thread but thought the Man Cave is another build log in its self to me.

 

So here is a couple of pics of how it is at the mo now i know the cable management is not the best but this is temporary. I ill stat you off with what i have and move onto my plans.

 

Once again this is a slow moving thread with the problem of money and time with working but will update as i go along.

 

 

 

 

Windows 98 PC Setup

 

My Main Gaming Rig Setup

 

Windows XP Rig

 

 

 

 

[FluffHarding]

As you can see Cable management is really poor Running Main Rig and XP rig of a KVM Switch  using a G19s Keyboard and G502 Mouse

A CAT6 Cable coming from downstairs out side an up to the spare room which needs shortening once i have the crimping tool. this is fed into a network switch which for now is under the desk feeding Ethernet to all 3 pc's and a repeater in my main bedroom.

 

 

[FluffHarding]

Main Rig is Built in Corsair 300D case

Mother board is a ASUS Maximus VII Ranger Z97

Processor: Intel i5 4670k clock to 4ghz

Ram: 8gb Corsair Vengence

Graphics: AMD Raedon 7970 Saphire Dual X 3GB

CPU Cooler: Hyper 212 Evo

Storage: 500gb Samsung 850 SSD (Boot Drive) + 1TB WD Black + 1 TB WD Green + 2x 500 GB Seagate Baracuda's

 

XP Rig Build Link: 

 

Far more to come on this build having issues with CPU Fan and want to rebuild and mod this in the summer

 

Win 98 Build Rig Link: 

 

Not a lot done yet computer is setup so i could do some tests before the tear down and upgrades done.

 

 

[FluffHarding]

Plan is to replace the desk as it is a cheap Ikea hollow desk which has served its purpose for last 3 years but has developed a sag in the middle due to weight on it plus my Logitech G29 clamped to it i get a lot of movement when playing racing games.

Also the network setup does need looking at as the switch is just shoved in there which is not ideal to how i want it plus more cables need to be run around the room.

 

Behind me is a temp setup which has my Printer and all though it is doing its job i have many pc components and stuff still in the attic which i cannot store so will be making a cupboard to house my File server and bits and pieces and shelves for storage bins.

 

Will Update as go along but as i progress mainly through the summer i will update as i do it.

 

[dcgreen2k]

Looks pretty cool, why do you need a Windows 98 PC though?

[FluffHarding]

2 minutes ago, thegreengamers said:

Looks pretty cool, why do you need a Windows 98 PC though?

Retro Gaming, some games wont run on windows XP need a Dos\Win 98 environment, very much into my retro Gaming along with Current games

[emosun]

The aspect ratio of your windows 98 wall paper is infuriating to me lol. otherwise neat

 

[FluffHarding]

Just now, emosun said:

The aspect ratio of your windows 98 wall paper is infuriating to me lol. otherwise neat

 

Know the feeling but its temporary as its being rebuilt

[emosun]

10 minutes ago, FluffHarding said:

Know the feeling but its temporary as its being rebuilt

Your wallpaper should then be unpainted drywall and some orange cones. lol

[The Benjamins]

I like the Ikea office chair.

[FluffHarding]

1 hour ago, emosun said:

Your wallpaper should then be unpainted drywall and some orange cones. lol

I Like It

 

1 hour ago, The Benjamins said:

I like the Ikea office chair.

Done me proud for 4 years but came from Argos though do need to upgrade not ideal when playing racing games

[divito]

2 hours ago, FluffHarding said:

Retro Gaming, some games wont run on windows XP need a Dos\Win 98 environment, very much into my retro Gaming along with Current games

Which games?

[FluffHarding]

7 hours ago, divito said:

Which games?

Populous, Colin Mcrae Rally, Toca Touring Cars, Croc that era of games which i cannot get to run on XP due to either crashing or not running.

 

Plus running Dos games in a Natural environment Not in Dos Box 

[FluffHarding]

Little Update.

 

Replaced the 17" monitor with another 24" monitor (Given to me from my dad) and all monitors are mounted on a 3 way Monitor stand sitting on the desk, Now although this gives a neater setup i have noticed a bad sag at the back of my desk so will be putting in some more legs until i renew my desk soon.

 

Left hand Monitor is a "Edge10 24" 1080 60hz monitor"

Middle is a HP LP2465 24 " 1920 x 1200 60hz Monitor

Right is a LG 24" LED 24EN43 1080 60hz Monitor

 

Cable managment is a big problem under my desk and around my main rig but will be addresed soon.

 

Behind me is where i have placed the Networked Nas\Server, Once again a mess but plans have been made soon to be done.

 

 

 

My nas\Server is a Pre built Medion PC Running a AMD A8 Apu with 8 gigs of ram currently hosting and holding my Plex Server and as a small backup

This will be placed into a Full ATX Case and will transfer the storage drives currently sat in my main rig  to it and storing files etc and Hosting my Plex server and dealing with my surveillance system when i have installed it.

 

Now i know its a mess and my man cave also doubles as a spare room when my nieces and nephew & Friends stay over so im limited to what i can do in such a small space but a plan has been made and will be re decorating the room at the same time.

 

[FluffHarding]

So the Time finally come Last week where i am able to make a start on the man cave refresh.

 

Little reminder on the mess of Before, as you can see cable management was a massive issue under the desk this was down to laziness if im honest and also lack of storage space etc etc.

 

 

So a painful complete tear down of the setup was done which took way longer than i planned and then said good bye to the old warped and tired desk.

 

Now when i moved into my house every room except my living room is magnolia and to be honest i grew up with magnolia (My Dads Fav Paint) so opted for a clean white room to hopefully open it up a bit as this is the smallest room in the house and thought i will accessorize with color.

 

 

 

[FluffHarding]

So the choice of replacement desk was thought long and hard and when i wanted to go new i also had a very tight budget to do this on (Joys of life) i went for a second hand dining table.

 

Now this measures slightly wider by 10 cms but has 20 cms more depth to it so gives me more desk space for my projects and other jobs i do in this room.

 

Cable Mangement was a issue i really wanted to sort as all those cables draping on the floor was not ideal but also made me hat walking in this room as that would be the first thing you see. so after some brain storming i went up the shed found so scarp Ply wood board i removed from a cupboard from under my stairs and painted white and screwed to the back legs of the desk this was enough room to hold 2 power strips and the 16 port network switch and still allow room t try and keep cables tidy.

 

P.s. the black plug wire you see in most of the pics is for my fan as this room was hitting over 33c with this crazy summer we are having here in the uk.

 

 

Shelves was put up to allow room fo my disc games and break the wall up a bit.

 

[FluffHarding]

In the alcove i decided to create some shelves with some 2x1 batton and some white melamine board so i can utilise the space upwards and have better cooling for my file\Plex server.

 

Also had these really simple remote controlled LED spot lights which give some illumination to the area and are somewhat bright when the room is dark.

 

 

Next was re mounting the monitors to the 3 monitor arm and the long winded task of running cables as neet as possible.

 

 

Slatted blinds was mounted to provide a nice way of blocking sunlight and was better than pink roller blinds which was previousley mounted for my daughter.

 

 

[FluffHarding]

so after 2 afternoons\evenings of running cables just for my main rig setup and ensuring a fairly clean cable managemnt and a rule of no cables dangling below the white board i was finally able to Boot up my main gaming rig with everything working.

 

 

Alcove has also had all of its Ethernet cables run and terminated to correct lengths and file server all connected up and on the network and that corner is finishd.

 

[Professor Dingledore]

The above desk and corner shelf are a huge improvement. It's too bad UK plugs are so big though. Even when organized they still like like quite the ordeal.

[FluffHarding]

Yes for sure can be a nightmare to look tidy