Need A New Project

hey guys,
I started building/tweaking/modding pc's about 3 years ago. In that time I've always had a something to work on or play with. First it was my gaming rig, then building pc's for others, for the past year its been my htpc but now I have finished all these "projects" and I'm looking for something new to do. The main reason is I have a bunch of hardware leftover(motherboards, cpus, hdds, psu's) which I was going to sell come january but now I'm thinking maybe there is a use for them.
Usually leftover/old hardware is used for a htpc but I have one, I then thought of using them to build a home sever but seeing as the house only has 2 pc's, mine and then the family one it would be pointless.
Therefore I was wondering if anyone had any ideas which could make use of all these bits of hardware I have lying around, its really only for a new project so all ideas are welcome, long as they're not too crazy/dangerous (mod the psu into a phone charger:mrgreen: lmao)

Depending on skill and and time involved you could make anything from a modern arcade machine to a PC inside a fishtank submerged in cooking oil for cooling.

Router?

A toolbox PC??

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Originally Posted by Jasp

Depending on skill and and time involved you could make anything from a modern arcade machine to a PC inside a fishtank submerged in cooking oil for cooling.

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not sure the fish would llike the oil !!

I did think of doing a sealed fish tank arround a PC so it would look like the fish are swimming inside it but thinking about it was as far as i got

Find the most random container you can and put a pc in it, for the heck of it.

Although I think you'll going to have to think hard to beat this one
http://wickedstageact2.typepad.com/l...-pc%5B2%5D.jpg

Network storage ?

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

A toolbox PC??

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Which is what?:confused:

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Originally Posted by Pob255

Find the most random container you can and put a pc in it, for the heck of it.
Although I think you'll going to have to think hard to beat this one

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I was actually thinking of finding an old hifi and building a pc inside it, that one just puts my idea to shame though.

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Originally Posted by Terbinator

Network storage ?

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I did think about this but I don't really have the space around my router to add network storage or a file server without shelling out for a nas device, plus because only my pc and the family one is on the network there isn't a point. I don't share my files, they do, works for me :)

how about an intergrated pc toilet for all your gaming needs on the bog when things get tense

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Originally Posted by crazyfool

Which is what?:confused:

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http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:T...ter:RRG021.jpg


+


http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:i...1/computer.jpg

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Toolbox PC!

Toilet pc lmao
Looks like my best option is to just build a new pc in a funky case. Toolbox looks interesting, I still like my hifi idea, anyone got any feasible ideas for a cool case (and no I'm not going to top the beaver one above by building a pc in a live animal :mrgreen:)

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Originally Posted by Iron Sights

how about an intergrated pc toilet for all your gaming needs on the bog when things get tense

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You just know someone will use it with their twitter account. :rolleyes:



Here's an idea I was kicking about for a while, untill I realised I don't have the cash to do it. :(
Kitchen PC

Currently I have to take my netbook and a set of desktop speakers into the kitchen, it let's me lissen to iplayer/mp3/other internet radio, while cooking or doing the washing up.
Also handy to use the internet to look up recipes.

What I was thinking was hide the pc is a cupboard (in my case the one where the boiler is also hidden) mount some speakers some place, eg on top of some cupboards.
To actually use it I was thinking of a touch screen monitor fixed to a handy head height cupboard door (that's probably going to cost unless you hapen to have a small touch screen monitor kicking about)
Also need a usb mount next to it or simular so memory sticks or mp3 players can be attached.

This depends on if you actually venture into the kitchen of course.

I am currently trying to setup a voice activated system for the house, its really hard with ambient noise etc. I will also have moving music ie it will follow you around the house as you walk. Its probably going to be a huge pain in the arse but I think I will be able to do it.

I'd second Pob's Kitchen PC concept. I'd like a touchscreen PC in the kitchen for pulling up recipes on internet sites while I'm baking / cooking.

Most important features: mess-resistant wipe-clean touchscreen :D

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/215-D...080-500001-DCR Theres the touch screen ^_^

That's the cost problem, although I was thinking something smaller and cheaper which could be easily mounted into a cupboard door.
Even something like a 10" netbook screen and a touch screen panel to go with it.

Surely you need one of these two coupled with something low powered and mini-ITXish ;)

The kitchen idea is a good one but the cost is an issue for me. I was looking more to using what I have and maybe buying a few extra bits rather then shelling out 130 squids for a touch screen.
Although I suppose I could sell what I have atm (prob 150-200 quids worth of stuff) and use that money to fund the project, still not alot of cash to play with tho

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Originally Posted by crazyfool

The kitchen idea is a good one but the cost is an issue for me. I was looking more to using what I have and maybe buying a few extra bits rather then shelling out 130 squids for a touch screen.
Although I suppose I could sell what I have atm (prob 150-200 quids worth of stuff) and use that money to fund the project, still not alot of cash to play with tho

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Yep that basically the reason I've shelved the idea.

This has been on hold for a bit, in fact it still is until the summer but I have a bit more time to work out what exactly this project is going to be. I was toying with the idea of a mini itx build just for the sake of it, but the cost was putting me off however looking at the bay I might be able to pick up a cheap socket 775 or am2 board (I already have a spare core 2 and amd 4850e).
I just took apart an old sony pc I had, a vgc-m1 which had a built in monitor/keyboard:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
The reason I took it apart is because I'm thinking if I can remove the monitor/keyboard I could use that with my itx build and end up with a sort of diy laptop. I've gotten as far as seeing the connections as there was a whole lot of crap to unscrew/break before I got to the motherboard. One is a internal ps2 which I guess is the keyboard, another is a tiny 3 pin plug which I cant work out what it is and the third is a 4 pin plug which is labelled on the motherboard as invertor. There is another cable which seems to lead into the psu but under the motherboard so I'll have to unscrew that when I get the time. I'll post pics soon as I can of the motherboard connections and the connectors of the 2 wires I can't work out what they are.
Tbh I doubt that the monitor will be usable because its seems like it is connected with sony's proprietry connectors but you never know.

I've had two ideas on the drawing board for a while know;
I've always wanted to do a flight case PC. Dual screens and full sized PC components in a single lugable form factor
The other idea was a computer under the glass of my desk so I can see what I've spent to much money on.

I don't think either are original ideas, but still are very cool and as soon as I've finished my thesis I will get on with it.