Office changes to support the new PC
Now, this might be a weird one to bring up because typically a new build doesn’t really mean much for how everything is setup in your office. But coming from The Fridge is a little different. That build was taller than my desk when sitting on the floor and it also had the footprint of four whole PCs. To help save space in that configuration I ended up using a wire rack that would stand over the fridge so I could at least use the space above it while letting the 8 fans up top breath.
Well once the Bullet BH7 came in I quickly realized that it would still work with that same wire rack. I ordered a few more shelves and a set of casters and when I finally swapped from The Fridge to Crush I started by pulling that rack all apart and basing everything around it. I could fit Crush on one shelf and had room to add two more to hold a few of the game consoles that I sometimes toy within the office.
To help keep all of the wiring clean I picked up an HDMI switcher to hook the PS3 and Xbox One up to the one extra HDMI port on my far right monitor. The switcher came with a remote, but as it turns out it will flip to whatever device is on so I don’t even need to use it unless I’m trying to play my Gran Turismo and Forza at the same time and I’m not that talented. I have always had a USB power hub mounted under my desk for charging all of my devices, but I also picked up this nice USB 3.0 hug from Anker to hook up my wireless headset, Creative X7 DAC, Two mice, and a keyboard up at the same time without having to run as many wires over to the rack. Now I just have the four monitor cables and the one USB running between my desk and PC making it easier to move the rack around. Of course, I still have another USB 3.0 hub mounted to the rack (for quick access), a USB card reader from Kingston, and my 3dprinter hooked up, but they are all on the rack itself.
Here are the links to a few of the products I’m using there. All of them have been rock solid, especially the USB hubs, normally I have problems with every hub but the Anker products have been surprisingly good. The HDMI switch is good as well but be careful to not use it with a PC as it does limit the refresh rate down to 60Hz.
Anker USB 3.0 7-port hub
Zettaguard 4K x 2K 4 Port 4 x 1 HDMI Switch
Kingston Digital USB 3.0 Hi-Speed Media Reader
Anker 60W 6-Port USB Wall Charger
The Console configuration let me finally take advantage of a few of the designs I have made using our 3Dprinters. I have designed racks to hold an Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PS3 controllers that hang from a wire rack. If you have a printer you are welcome to make your own as well. Here is a link to all of my designs. It lets me hang the controllers right with the console but still out of the way.
Then the open space up on top was originally going to be where I kept a test bench but when the SeeMeCNC Rostock MAX v3 that I reviewed came in I wanted to keep it close to keep an eye on my prints. It fit perfectly up on top. I do plan on adding metal plates under the printer and the PC in the future though to give the PC a more solid surface to sit on and under the printer to keep any dust and dirt from falling down below into the PC.
This was originally going to be the last part of this project build but while writing these I have already put together plans for a Part-5 so keep an eye out. It may not be next week, but it is coming soon.
