Looking for advice on how to build a fairly large laptop for cad work, to show to clients I know some of what I am doing, light gaming, and a lot of travel. Building a case for me would be easier than some other machines I've built.
CASE: CNC aluminum sheets, 3D print, laser engrave if bored, spray paint
MOBO: got any recommendations? Looking at the micro and mini ATX Z390's at the moment. A mobo with sodimm memory and a pcix16 slot would be best if I could also find a PSU that is shorter than a 2.5" tall SFX PSU.
CPU: watching for next generation, ideally a 9700k if the price went down, water cooling preferable, 47mm, 37mm, and similar fans will be considered if I must use a SFX PSU but if I can find a thinner PSU, then the motherboard and cpu cooling will be the next tallest thing to save space with.
RAM: 2x16GB is plenty, some renders/simulations could make me want 4x16GB which is why I am leaning micro ATX despite larger size for future proofing. Looking for a MOBO that takes sodimm memory so I have the option of 2x32GB in a low profile system and I will take the speed penalty.
SSD: 1TB M.2 SSD should be plenty without taking up much space, nice thing of a second M.2 is I can add some more later or anything I might be missing, not considering 2.5" or 3.5" drives.
GPU: RTX 2080 ideally with a PCI extension cable, I can not justify the cost of a RTX 5000 or similar, no dual GPU's, considering water cooling block. Having a single slot gpu would be awesome but not the end of the world.
COOL: at least one 30x120x240 radiator, complete aluminum system for weight saving, Ideally cram an extra 1x120x120 radiator if I have the space, will try to use the case for additional cooling.
PSU: a 500-600w 2.5" tall SFX PSU was my first thought, it does mean the laptop will be a bit thick, anyone know of a thinner PSU solution? I'd gladly glue some generic water cooling blocks on if heat were an issue. To give perspective to what I mean by thin size, my laptop's power brick is 1.5" tall and I am looking for something similar.
CD drive: probably not
LCD/LED: The simplest way by the looks of it is to order a replacement screen for a laptop with a 30pin connector, order a controller with a 30pin connector and HDMI port, link all this to the GPU. I'll have to do my homework to make sure the refresh rate and resolution of the screen and controller are at least 1080p but any thoughts? Cannibalism seems pretty common but it would also be pretty random what kind of controller I would get.
Audio: Not a clue, there are sound cards for sale but I am struggling to find a guide on what to order or if this is included on generic screen controllers.
BAT: 18650's plus BSM or lipo's if I can't find the space, been working with battery's for a while now, probably won't turn the machine into a fireball but I am leaning away from even having batteries because I'll typically have a power outlet where I go.
Automation: This is my sense of humor, cherry stepper motors geared up with 3D printed planetary gears and hobby servos to lock their positions when not in motion and to save power. I'd use an arduino and cheap drivers to order four legs to lift the machine .5"-.75" above the ground for air circulation as well as unfold some screens and open some venting ports. Maybe unfold additional radiators. I would consider short stroke pistons if they and their switches weren't so expensive as to force me to take this joke experiment seriously.
CASE: CNC aluminum sheets, 3D print, laser engrave if bored, spray paint
MOBO: got any recommendations? Looking at the micro and mini ATX Z390's at the moment. A mobo with sodimm memory and a pcix16 slot would be best if I could also find a PSU that is shorter than a 2.5" tall SFX PSU.
CPU: watching for next generation, ideally a 9700k if the price went down, water cooling preferable, 47mm, 37mm, and similar fans will be considered if I must use a SFX PSU but if I can find a thinner PSU, then the motherboard and cpu cooling will be the next tallest thing to save space with.
RAM: 2x16GB is plenty, some renders/simulations could make me want 4x16GB which is why I am leaning micro ATX despite larger size for future proofing. Looking for a MOBO that takes sodimm memory so I have the option of 2x32GB in a low profile system and I will take the speed penalty.
SSD: 1TB M.2 SSD should be plenty without taking up much space, nice thing of a second M.2 is I can add some more later or anything I might be missing, not considering 2.5" or 3.5" drives.
GPU: RTX 2080 ideally with a PCI extension cable, I can not justify the cost of a RTX 5000 or similar, no dual GPU's, considering water cooling block. Having a single slot gpu would be awesome but not the end of the world.
COOL: at least one 30x120x240 radiator, complete aluminum system for weight saving, Ideally cram an extra 1x120x120 radiator if I have the space, will try to use the case for additional cooling.
PSU: a 500-600w 2.5" tall SFX PSU was my first thought, it does mean the laptop will be a bit thick, anyone know of a thinner PSU solution? I'd gladly glue some generic water cooling blocks on if heat were an issue. To give perspective to what I mean by thin size, my laptop's power brick is 1.5" tall and I am looking for something similar.
CD drive: probably not
LCD/LED: The simplest way by the looks of it is to order a replacement screen for a laptop with a 30pin connector, order a controller with a 30pin connector and HDMI port, link all this to the GPU. I'll have to do my homework to make sure the refresh rate and resolution of the screen and controller are at least 1080p but any thoughts? Cannibalism seems pretty common but it would also be pretty random what kind of controller I would get.
Audio: Not a clue, there are sound cards for sale but I am struggling to find a guide on what to order or if this is included on generic screen controllers.
BAT: 18650's plus BSM or lipo's if I can't find the space, been working with battery's for a while now, probably won't turn the machine into a fireball but I am leaning away from even having batteries because I'll typically have a power outlet where I go.
Automation: This is my sense of humor, cherry stepper motors geared up with 3D printed planetary gears and hobby servos to lock their positions when not in motion and to save power. I'd use an arduino and cheap drivers to order four legs to lift the machine .5"-.75" above the ground for air circulation as well as unfold some screens and open some venting ports. Maybe unfold additional radiators. I would consider short stroke pistons if they and their switches weren't so expensive as to force me to take this joke experiment seriously.