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Schwarzgerät III: Difference between revisions

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My 2020 rebuild, [[Schwarzgerät_II|Schwarzgerät II]], was a beast of a machine. Like the Hubble or LHC, however, I had to give it more powah. The 2022 upgrade, Schwarzgerät III, does just that despite scrotumtightening supply chain madness. This rebuild focused on cooling, power, and aesthetics.
My 2020 rebuild, [[Schwarzgerät_II|Schwarzgerät II]], was a beast of a machine. Like the Hubble or LHC, however, I had to give it more powah. The 2022 upgrade, Schwarzgerät III, does just that despite scrotumtightening supply chain madness. This rebuild focused on cooling, power, and aesthetics.
<blockquote>“But out here, down here among the people, the truer currencies come into being.”―<i>''Gravity's Rainbow''</i> (1973)</blockquote>


I hesitated to call this the third iteration of Schwarzgerät, as there was no real compute upgrade (I did go from 128GB of DDR4-2400 to 256GB of DDR4-3000, but that hardly counts). The CPU, motherboard, and GPU are unchanged from 2020's upgrade. Nonetheless, the complete rebuild of the cooling system (and attendant costs, both in parts and labor) and radically changed appearance seemed to justify it.
I hesitated to call this the third iteration of Schwarzgerät, as there was no real compute upgrade (I did go from 128GB of DDR4-2400 to 256GB of DDR4-3000, but that hardly counts). The CPU, motherboard, and GPU are unchanged from 2020's upgrade. Nonetheless, the complete rebuild of the cooling system (and attendant costs, both in parts and labor) and radically changed appearance seemed to justify it.
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<li><b>Grow down.</b> If I could find (or more likely fabricate) a pedestal for the machine, I could add extensive radiator support, or a second motherboard. I don't really need either, though.</li>
<li><b>Grow down.</b> If I could find (or more likely fabricate) a pedestal for the machine, I could add extensive radiator support, or a second motherboard. I don't really need either, though.</li>
<li><b>Mobility.</b> Work towards the [[Rolling War Machine]] by augmenting the existing accelerometer with sensing and movement capabilities. Kind of a big (and expensive) box (and small condo) to be tearing around on its own initiative.</li>
<li><b>Mobility.</b> Work towards the [[Rolling War Machine]] by augmenting the existing accelerometer with sensing and movement capabilities. Kind of a big (and expensive) box (and small condo) to be tearing around on its own initiative.</li>
<li><b>Hard tubing.</b> Seen as a far superior look by many in the watercooling community, but I don't really think so<—in a big case like this, I dig the more organic look of soft tubing. It's also infinitely less annoying to work with./li>
<li><b>Hard tubing.</b> Seen as a far superior look by many in the watercooling community, but I don't really think so<—in a big case like this, I dig the more organic look of soft tubing. It's also infinitely less annoying to work with.</li>
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Revision as of 01:01, 23 February 2022

My 2020 rebuild, Schwarzgerät II, was a beast of a machine. Like the Hubble or LHC, however, I had to give it more powah. The 2022 upgrade, Schwarzgerät III, does just that despite scrotumtightening supply chain madness. This rebuild focused on cooling, power, and aesthetics.

“But out here, down here among the people, the truer currencies come into being.”―Gravity's Rainbow (1973)

I hesitated to call this the third iteration of Schwarzgerät, as there was no real compute upgrade (I did go from 128GB of DDR4-2400 to 256GB of DDR4-3000, but that hardly counts). The CPU, motherboard, and GPU are unchanged from 2020's upgrade. Nonetheless, the complete rebuild of the cooling system (and attendant costs, both in parts and labor) and radically changed appearance seemed to justify it.

This is my first machine with internal lighting, and also my first to use custom-designed parts. I learned OpenSCAD and improved my 3d printing techniques for this build, and also extended my knowledge of electronics. I also developed a better understanding of power distribution. In that regard, and also with regards to the final product, I consider the build a complete success.

I'm not sure where else I can go with this machine. There doesn't appear to be much useful work I can do beyond what I've aleady done. Some thoughts:

  • Case modding. I could add a window to the PSU door, and improve on the piping in the back. I'm very hesitant to go cutting apart the irreplaceable CaseLabs Magnum T10, though; it's not like I can go buy another one.
  • Grow down. If I could find (or more likely fabricate) a pedestal for the machine, I could add extensive radiator support, or a second motherboard. I don't really need either, though.
  • Mobility. Work towards the Rolling War Machine by augmenting the existing accelerometer with sensing and movement capabilities. Kind of a big (and expensive) box (and small condo) to be tearing around on its own initiative.
  • Hard tubing. Seen as a far superior look by many in the watercooling community, but I don't really think so<—in a big case like this, I dig the more organic look of soft tubing. It's also infinitely less annoying to work with.