Dr_Boris_Goltz
Banned
I want a PC like this.
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Razer's Project Christine: modular PC that anyone can upgrade.
- Thread starter chickdigger802
- Start date
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
more photos:
I actually think that this looks really fucking good, but then again I love modular looking designs.
Elfforkusu
Member
I think it looks cool as hell.
Beauty is subjective.
Beauty is subjective.
Rabble rabble rabble, rouse rouse rouse.
Seriously though, as a PC builder for a couple decades... I'm more than happy to trade up to this form factor for a 10-15% premium on parts.
It's simpler than it use to be. But it's still opening up a device and rummaging through parts, you still need a screw driver and will probably want to wear a static wristband. It's pretty clunky for this day and age and from my experience it's a barrier for a lot of people. A computer where you can just plug and play new parts would be amazing.
Imagine a Steambox with this sort of technology.
Mister Negative
Member
I think the most attractive part of something like this for someone like me is that there will probably be clearer feedback as to what parts give you what performance. I would love to build a gaming PC, but building one seems terrifying, and actually picking parts that work together and that provide performance that I want seems extremely complicated.
I'm not saying I'll buy one of these, but I see the market they're going for.
I'm not saying I'll buy one of these, but I see the market they're going for.
So when the socket changes (like it does on almost every new CPU generation) you have to buy the spine part again? I hope that the spine does't cost that much more the a new motherboard would.
edit: Though CPUs haven't gotten much more faster over the last few years. My overlocked i7 2600K is pretty much as fast as a new haswell one when overlocked. Mainly the new ones just run cooler/eat less power. So that might not be that big of a problem.
No. The CPU+Ram are in module together based on this concept. Thus the socket is a module and chipset just a module like everything else.
Fair Trial
Member
Nice concept and the little embedded display is cool stuff.
The project name also reminds me of the King's novel lol
The project name also reminds me of the King's novel lol
Someone linked me to a great Gamespot interview with Tsang on what Razer is thinking about this project. The video also gives you a great look at all of the components and connectors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqbAPrn73yM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqbAPrn73yM
bodyboarder
Member
Awesome idea/execution. Though the price is bound to be astronomical.
thewhitehawk
Member
Another thought that ran across my head... I own two Razer products, to computer mouses to be precise (
), and in the past I owned a Habu which was a collaborative product with Microsoft.
Those three products I own or have owned have one thing in common: they're innovative and they don't work very well. I've had Logitech mouses that I wish would die just because they are so worn out, but they never do, I still have some Microsoft Intelimouse Explorers lying somewhere around that never stopped working but Razer's products, in my experience have been anything but reliable.
I had to return the Habu 3 times, I'm on my second Razer Mamba and my Naga doesn't work half of the time, I have to fiddle around with reinstalling drivers or firmware whenever I want to use it.
When they work, Razer's products are awesome. They're fast, precise light and they have convenient features that make resuming or continuing to play or use your peripheral very easy. But when they don't, they can lead to an extremely upsetting experience.
If the company who makes a peripheral I use can barely get functional drivers for them when a new Operating System comes out, do I really want to build my next computer from proprietary parts sold and manufactured by them?
yes the plural of computer mouse can be mouses
Those three products I own or have owned have one thing in common: they're innovative and they don't work very well. I've had Logitech mouses that I wish would die just because they are so worn out, but they never do, I still have some Microsoft Intelimouse Explorers lying somewhere around that never stopped working but Razer's products, in my experience have been anything but reliable.
I had to return the Habu 3 times, I'm on my second Razer Mamba and my Naga doesn't work half of the time, I have to fiddle around with reinstalling drivers or firmware whenever I want to use it.
When they work, Razer's products are awesome. They're fast, precise light and they have convenient features that make resuming or continuing to play or use your peripheral very easy. But when they don't, they can lead to an extremely upsetting experience.
If the company who makes a peripheral I use can barely get functional drivers for them when a new Operating System comes out, do I really want to build my next computer from proprietary parts sold and manufactured by them?
The idea is neat but I'm not a fan of the execution. For this to work I think a bunch of different hardware manufacturers have to get on board. Also the case is ugly, but I'm a black box kinda guy.
Related: It's stupid that there's not a standard for case power/reset/LED cables. That should be one cable.
Related: It's stupid that there's not a standard for case power/reset/LED cables. That should be one cable.
This thing is going to be sssooo overpriced just because its Razer. I remember seeing people looking at there tablet and was like omg so want, and it plays Crysis? For the same price you could have built an uber PC or bought a hell of a gaming laptop.
This thing just by design looks expensive, and as for being hard to build computers the only pain in the ass part is actually having to grab the manual during case cables. stupid 1pin power, reset, and led cords.
Other than the case cables the last unit I built for a customer took roughly 30 minutes to put together, they are only getting easier to build with companies making towers so efficient.
EDIT: the only thing I like about it is that due to its structure there will be a carrying bag and this thing will be really nice to carry to your buddies house, because I hate lugging around my giant storm trooper tower its like 60 pounds with all the components in it and so damn big! It's hard to properly fit the damn thing in my car.
This thing just by design looks expensive, and as for being hard to build computers the only pain in the ass part is actually having to grab the manual during case cables. stupid 1pin power, reset, and led cords.
Other than the case cables the last unit I built for a customer took roughly 30 minutes to put together, they are only getting easier to build with companies making towers so efficient.
EDIT: the only thing I like about it is that due to its structure there will be a carrying bag and this thing will be really nice to carry to your buddies house, because I hate lugging around my giant storm trooper tower its like 60 pounds with all the components in it and so damn big! It's hard to properly fit the damn thing in my car.
It'd be a dream come true for me if something like this became the standard - PC design is such an ungodly mess right now that I can't imagine it really getting any worse.
Use space efficiently, cool in a way that doesn't involve half a dozen fans and allow components to be swapped without the need for a toolkit and an instruction manual.
And for everyone complaining about the design on the Razer prototype, have you ever seen one of these clocks?
All you'd need to sort the Razer design is a cover to slip over the top, just like the clock has. Presumably you'd want it in black aluminium or something (as opposed to glass), but you get the idea.
Use space efficiently, cool in a way that doesn't involve half a dozen fans and allow components to be swapped without the need for a toolkit and an instruction manual.
And for everyone complaining about the design on the Razer prototype, have you ever seen one of these clocks?
All you'd need to sort the Razer design is a cover to slip over the top, just like the clock has. Presumably you'd want it in black aluminium or something (as opposed to glass), but you get the idea.
samurai1226
Member
if the quality of this pc will be as good as the razer onza, customers will be lucky if them run for a week before first parts fall apart :X
SneakyStephan
Banned
...
opening up a case is a big deal now? it's no harder than taking the lid off your toilet
do you pee on the floor because you don't want to lift the lid on the seat, it's just too confusing?
what rummaging do you do inside that case exactly? please tell? you act like it's a box of loose lego blocks or puzzle pieces that you have to dig through to find the one you want
I've never met anyone at any computer store who uses an antistatic band, what an inane argument to begin with even if you had to use one
You wouldn't be able to 'plug and play' random parts anyhow, no more than with a regular pc, you'd still need to mind compatibility between cpu, mobo and ram
I feel like those who act like this is something special have never built a pc and have no idea what it means and are just using their imagination
CharmingCharlie
Member
Personally I quite like the idea and look of it. I have been building my own PC since the original Pentium days (first PC was a 75mhz). I don't subscribe to the view that building a PC is "hard". Hell I can't wire a plug correctly but I have no problem building a PC. However anything that makes things easier is not to be dismissed.
Now having said that, my first thought was "oh cool" but my second thought was "Jesus Christ how much is that going to cost". Then I saw it was by Razer and my third thought was "oh wonder how long it will take to fall apart".
TL;DR Nice idea, hella expensive, Razer build quality would make it a joke.
Now having said that, my first thought was "oh cool" but my second thought was "Jesus Christ how much is that going to cost". Then I saw it was by Razer and my third thought was "oh wonder how long it will take to fall apart".
TL;DR Nice idea, hella expensive, Razer build quality would make it a joke.
This is amazing. I upgrade my PC piecemeal since it's cheaper for me that way and taking the PC case out from under my desk to do the upgrades is annoying.
Hopefully this becomes a standard the industry adopts that way it becomes economical. Otherwise I can imagine each module costing a hefty premium.
Hopefully this becomes a standard the industry adopts that way it becomes economical. Otherwise I can imagine each module costing a hefty premium.
Edwards_Omatic
Member
Yep, I can definitely see that taking off quite honestly.
SquiddyCracker
Banned
I like the concept, a modular PC that is easier to build than current modular PCs (which require a fair bit of fiddling about with cables and opening the case), but I wonder what this might do to latency - as it seems the motherboard would no longer be in direct contact to the other components.
Chubzdoomer
Banned
This is one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen. I'm both excited and puzzled about it at the same time.
This looks great and is seemingly fantastic! I expect it to be like $500+ for just the base without any components so expect it to be like $1500-2000 minimum for a reasonable spec PC and more like$ 2000-3000 for anything classed as super high end ($1200 standard gaming PC).
Most of us PC/gaming peeps who builds PCs skimp on the case, PSU and cooling to save our pennies and get a decent spec rig for $800-1500. But considering the base and modules are the most bespoke part of this device I'm just that is going to add at least an additional $30-50 onto each component if not maybe even a little more.
I would love to have these at work though as I'm forever having to swap GPUs, HDDs and memory modules to get different PCs up to specs at different times during the development phase. Also when it comes to bug testing these would be amazing but again very expensive!
Most of us PC/gaming peeps who builds PCs skimp on the case, PSU and cooling to save our pennies and get a decent spec rig for $800-1500. But considering the base and modules are the most bespoke part of this device I'm just that is going to add at least an additional $30-50 onto each component if not maybe even a little more.
I would love to have these at work though as I'm forever having to swap GPUs, HDDs and memory modules to get different PCs up to specs at different times during the development phase. Also when it comes to bug testing these would be amazing but again very expensive!
So, how does this really differ from upgrading a pre-built PC? For the average gamer?
Motherboard compatibility is the only real issue that I've encountered. And I imagine it would be the same for Project Christine.
Adding/swapping a processor, graphics card or RAM really isn't difficult. I don't see how a modular design could simplify it much further, honestly. The difference, however, would be less competition and therefore higher prices.
I tend to upgrade my computer sparingly, and so I can cope with the shame of watching a 5 minute tutorial once every three months. I don't really need to easily swap computer parts, perhaps other than the hard drive.
Maybe I just don't get it. The real 'issues' with PC gaming that complicate it compared to consoles isn't upgrading a system. It's things like software compatibility, not having the specs to play a game, driver upgrading. I don't see how this would rectify any of that. I think the Steam Machine concept gets closer to the idea of an 'everyman' gaming PC.
Motherboard compatibility is the only real issue that I've encountered. And I imagine it would be the same for Project Christine.
Adding/swapping a processor, graphics card or RAM really isn't difficult. I don't see how a modular design could simplify it much further, honestly. The difference, however, would be less competition and therefore higher prices.
I tend to upgrade my computer sparingly, and so I can cope with the shame of watching a 5 minute tutorial once every three months. I don't really need to easily swap computer parts, perhaps other than the hard drive.
Maybe I just don't get it. The real 'issues' with PC gaming that complicate it compared to consoles isn't upgrading a system. It's things like software compatibility, not having the specs to play a game, driver upgrading. I don't see how this would rectify any of that. I think the Steam Machine concept gets closer to the idea of an 'everyman' gaming PC.
Protocol7
Member
This is absolutly... wow!
It's like the Thermaltake Level 10 but to a higher level, way higher!
Even though I love to build my PCs, this for me is evolution, this... this would be so freaking great.
But then again lots of question, what will you be able to change, what is proprietary?
I find the design totally hot, could people explain why they don't like it? How can you not like it compared to the majority of actual cases that are all... in the end just cubes and rectangular cuboids? I have one too, don't take this the wrong way, but compared to this... at least this is trying something new.
It's like the Thermaltake Level 10 but to a higher level, way higher!
Even though I love to build my PCs, this for me is evolution, this... this would be so freaking great.
But then again lots of question, what will you be able to change, what is proprietary?
I find the design totally hot, could people explain why they don't like it? How can you not like it compared to the majority of actual cases that are all... in the end just cubes and rectangular cuboids? I have one too, don't take this the wrong way, but compared to this... at least this is trying something new.
Price, Razer is notorious for overpricing there products to living hell.....look at there laptops and compare them to another gaming laptop with the same specs.....its almost a $1000+ difference.
Until I see pricing the only thing I hate right now is that its Razer....that's about it lol
1.) What kind of monster screws his toilet seat down? (But in all seriousness, replacing parts isn't as simple as this and you know it.)...
opening up a case is a big deal now? it's no harder than taking the lid off your toilet
do you pee on the floor because you don't want to lift the lid on the seat, it's just too confusing?
what rummaging do you do inside that case exactly? please tell? you act like it's a box of loose lego blocks or puzzle pieces that you have to dig through to find the one you want
I've never met anyone at any computer store who uses an antistatic band, what an inane argument to begin with even if you had to use one
You wouldn't be able to 'plug and play' random parts anyhow, no more than with a regular pc, you'd still need to mind compatibility between cpu, mobo and ram
I feel like those who act like this is something special have never built a pc and have no idea what it means and are just using their imagination
2.) Rummage: To search thoroughly by handling, turning over, or disarranging the contents of. I think that accurately fits the process of opening up and looking through your computer.
3.) If you are handling expensive parts, you should wear a static wristband. I don't care what a computer store employee does, as from my experience from them they can't spot a power malfunction in a computer part if they tried, and if they ever do like hell are they going to take responsibility. They're not being safe not because it doesn't matter, it's because they don't care. I care. You should care.
4.) You can solve part compatibility with simple labeling and use of iconography. This is like saying iPhones are too complicated because some use a different cable now or the iPhone 4 case won't fit with the 5.
5.) I've built four computers, and I think it's crazy that someone would defend that it's simple enough and there shouldn't be a simpler, more consumer friendly way. Seriously, you think hooking up your PSU to your motherboard is easy? Or replacing a CPU? Hell, one of my hard drives is sitting on the bottom of my case because it needed a tray and ugh. And man, for something that seems simple, ram is a bitch to shove in. GPUs are the easiest things to handle and even then you need a screw driver. But to go back to your quote:
THIS IS WHY THIS SHOULD BE IMPORTANT. The current state of replacing computer parts, even just the GPU, is a barrier that many people would just refuse to do because once they hear "You need to open up your computer and with a tool..." They immediately think of car maintenance and shoot down the idea. This a problem worth tackling, and I'm surprised why anyone would be against it.
dacuk
Member
But it is still far from user-friendly.
Souldestroyer
Banned
I like this.
Make it so that it will change colours and has enough power to play games at high end settings and i'm in day zero.
Make it so that it will change colours and has enough power to play games at high end settings and i'm in day zero.
Souldestroyer
Banned
...
opening up a case is a big deal now? it's no harder than taking the lid off your toilet
do you pee on the floor because you don't want to lift the lid on the seat, it's just too confusing?
what rummaging do you do inside that case exactly? please tell? you act like it's a box of loose lego blocks or puzzle pieces that you have to dig through to find the one you want
I've never met anyone at any computer store who uses an antistatic band, what an inane argument to begin with even if you had to use one
You wouldn't be able to 'plug and play' random parts anyhow, no more than with a regular pc, you'd still need to mind compatibility between cpu, mobo and ram
I feel like those who act like this is something special have never built a pc and have no idea what it means and are just using their imagination
The stores that you frequent are not very good stores then.
ANY electronic equipment should be handled to the ESD regulations in your country.
At minimum anti static bands and a pressurised dust free environment.
I won't even go into clothing, footwear, packaging and storage.
TAJ
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
You put in screws and tighten it.
Jakoozie89
Neo Member
Why the hell are people complaining about price? It's a prototype, with incredibly futuristic features. Of course it will be expensive.
But if it's a reasonable success it might lead to a whole new way to look at pc components, and in the long run the price will go down as other competitors join the fold.
I'm guessing the producers of the actual cpus, gpus and motherboards would swallow this whole, as it would mean more people being able to upgrade the PC, instead of just buying new pre built ones.
Dell, He and other such companies might not be as happy though.
But if it's a reasonable success it might lead to a whole new way to look at pc components, and in the long run the price will go down as other competitors join the fold.
I'm guessing the producers of the actual cpus, gpus and motherboards would swallow this whole, as it would mean more people being able to upgrade the PC, instead of just buying new pre built ones.
Dell, He and other such companies might not be as happy though.
Probably because this looks to be quite proprietary right now. And it's Razer one of the companies who slap a 'gaming' label on things to charge more.
It does look like an interesting idea but until further details come out like Razer saying they won't patent the basic components and instead licence it for free use, I'll keep my normal PC thanks.
Jakoozie89
Neo Member
Yeah. I agree, you could basically say that as long as it's a razer product only, it will not catch on. But I both hope and believe the idea will spread.