Lets Build: X99 Video Editing Rig | Tek Syndicate

Level1Techs
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For the videos I'm doing, I wanted a decent X99 rig that I could also spend a fair amount of time in Linux hacking away at stuff for y'all.


Like many of you, I have the small machine fetish. The problem with small machines, though, is that it can be difficult to get a lot of connectivity and peripherals. Enter the Lian Li PC A-51 -- This is one of the smallest full-featured ATX cases on the planet. This case would be perfect for our needs -- light weight and small enough to be portable but no-compromises peripheral options because it fits a Full ATX motherboard.


The rest of the build was a little harder -- I outfitted the build with the following hardware:


Plextor 512gb M.2 SSD An Asus X99 Sabertooth Asus Strix 980 Ti Intel X5960 8-core CPU Corsair H110i GTX AIO CPU Cooler Corsair RM1000i PSU Corsair Vengance LPX DDR4 Ram (Quad Channel) Black Magic Intensity Pro 4k Avermedia LiveGamer HD


I love the Lian Li PC A51 but the power supply location is problematic if one plans to run SLI graphics. I thought about it for a bit and decided that I could commit to always using a closed-loop water cooler. That meant I could relocate the power supply to be above the motherboard, but I would need my hacksaw.


While I am perfectly capable of precision CNC machining I really didn't want to spend a lot of time working with the metal so I decided to just do a functional mod. Someday I may do a pretty case mod but that day is not today. The mod involved making the hole for the fan at the back of the case larger, and rectangular, and fitting the power supply mounting bracket from the front of the case to the back.


As the PC-A51 in its default configuration has air exhausting out the top and front, this mod allows a more traditional airflow configuration where hot air is exhausted out the top and back. Do note that I am still experimenting with using the top fans as an intake or exhaust -- one amazing feature of the PC-A51 is the removable bracket at the top of the case that facilitates easy fan re-orientation for the H110i all-in-one liquid cooler.


The Corsair Components for this build were an easy choice. These are top-shelf components to begin with, but Corsair's policy of being reasonable with regard to damage caused by AIO liquid leaks seals the deal. Without a second graphics card for SLI, the RM1000i is overkill but I appreciate the Corsair Link interface for upping the fan speed to assist with system cooling given the compactness of this configuration.


The Asus Sabertooth X99 was also an easy pick for this build -- given the external temperature probes and the assist fans, I thought it would be a good choice for this particular build because of the compactness of the overall project.


For the video card my first choice would have been the Asus Strix 390X. However, I am using that for another project so I am using the Asus Strix 980Ti. This card performs better on Windows and at 4k, but the 390X seems to be a better fit for my needs on Linux.


For video capture and storage a bunch of mechanical hard drives (including a WD Velociraptor 10k RPM HD and a 4tb HGST storage drive.


I would like to round out this build with a few 3d-printed parts to assist with hiding some of my hackery and with the drive mounting in the bottom. If there are any volunteers there should be enough physical layout data for the components in the specs on the Lian Li website.


I had a lot of fun building this and a lot of fun playing with these components from Corsair, Asus, Plextor and others.





This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://teksyndicate.com/videos/lets-build-x99-video-editing-rig
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Oh, I am a fanboy now. How did that even happen? How do I make it stop?
I'm considering x99 as a viable platform for my upcoming build.
Never mind, I won't go for more power than I need, probably.

I like how @wendell always produces videos that grab hold of the viewer and don't let go until the video's over.

Also, let me find the dimensions of the case and I'll make the HDD bracket.

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If you wanted the case custom CNC'd I'd have done it for you free of charge minus shipping :P

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Firepro cards are relatively inexpensive compared to quadro cards it seems, wasn't that CUDA conversion library thing supposed to be out this month?

FirePros.jpg839x271 50.4 KB

Also Home Depot at least has like small piece of sheet metal for a dollar each you could use to quickly make brackets and the like rather than 3D printing stuff.

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Awesome build wendell.

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The faster it comes the better for the industry, it'll make AMD GPUs competitive in places where people pick CUDA over OpenCL.

Also, I can't seem to find the dimensions of the slots for HDD bays, but what could be done is to cut slots akin to those up at the top all the way down and stick it in those. Lian Li uses a lot of screws so perhaps it can be taken apart and cut on with a CNC/laser/steady hand holding a dremel.

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Interesting build. Didn't quite expect you to take a hacksaw to such a nice case.

If you need help modeling and perhaps even printing, I could help. My skills are a bit rudimentary, though, with my 3D printed case being one of my more complex objects to date.

My current printer is a SmartRapCore with a print volume of about 210x210x280mm I believe.

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Wow this is almost exactly what I have in my main rig
Also, I have experience with some autodesk 3d modeling software, but I would need exact measurements from the case and a lot of time to come up with ideas and then trial and error making them and because I don't have a 3d printer that will be a little challenging. Maybe I could be of service, but then again maybe not?

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Couldn't find accurate technical specifications for hole distances and what not.
Here's a model for a cover plate, made with a still from the video.
Before printing scaling will be needed to get the right size.
The screw holes are intentionally over sized to ease alignment.
Washers can be used in between the plate and the screw to cover up the holes.
I Recently ordered a Prusa i3 Steel, but I haven't modeled in ages so bare with me here.
Also still kinda new to Blender. It's an awesome piece of software though. Even when you just know the basics.
Can't wait for my printer to arrive. Until then, files here: Teh files
Feel free to modify and reuse.

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Is this your streaming machine now then?

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Have some insight to share. I just PM'd you.

Info for all though: PLA/ABS is a BAD idea for load-bearing situations. Also, heat is a real issue with these 3d printed parts. Things like being left in the car on a hot day can lead to part failure. You also would NOT want to be blowing hot air or having 3d printed parts near a high heat source, especially if it is load bearing.

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That bracket is around the wrong way. The PSU sits inside the bracket itself. and that helps to support the psu.

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Hummm, put a fan on the side panel door over video cards (or just drill holes) and Velcro Hdd’s to bottom of case or drill holes on bottom of case to coincide with Hdd mounting holes, they will be standing on their sides (free standing sorda) and cut one side of Hdd cage off to hold open side of Hdd’s together. It’s ghetto but with the side panel on who would know right?
That power supply is dangerous like that, probably an 90’ bracket and self tapping screws would stiffen it up. Make the holes with the self tapping screws but don’t sink the screw all the way in until you cut off/snip off the excess of a fresh screw and use it, as to not thread into components; in short look to see inside the power supply where the best place to avoid components. On the case side of 90’ bracket I would tap threw the aluminum into the bracket, ask home depot for metal stud framing screws.

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Oh, forgot to mention, you could use the side of Hdd cage as a template for holes you’re going to drill on bottom of case

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Or better yet, use self tapping framing screws to screw up from the bottom of your case into the Hdd cage // simpler……….

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Do you have experience with nylon filament? It is supposed to be quite strong, but don't know how it handles heat.

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No experience with nylon as far as printing guess. A quick search shows you will need a 3d printer with a heated platform, and can handle high printing temps. Also seems like you need to spend time drying it as well.

As far as nylon itself goes, i have used it in high temp projects, and it holds up pretty well, as well as being very durable. Usually we use it as a spacer, bearing material, or washer. It is a very soft plastic, and not that great for a load bearing support as it can deform under the weight. That means if it is used, the bracket must be designed with this in mind.

While it is not 3d printable, Delin/Acetal is a much better solution. It can withstand higher loads, easy to machine, and while soft, is very strong. Of course metal is always the best choice for brackets in this case to hold the weight of a power supply, especially when traveling.

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Are you planning on putting multiple GPUs in there? (It sorta sounded like you were going to in the video, @wendell.) Unless you have blower cooler cards you can use, the card below the 980 Ti is going to get a lot of heat blasted on it, and multi-GPU setups will get hot fairly quickly.

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One could be able to determine the case dimensions and layout based on the dimensions of the individual components (I've got a RM1000i already to test) and layout standards. This would still require approximations from pictures or the video. Also I'd rather not buy a case just to model it, unless returns are an option. How willing would Lian Li be concerning sharing .step, drawings or other modeling files with the community?
Their manual and product page is quite detailed.
I'll see what I can get out of them and what I come up with on my own regarding the psu support and drive cage.

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As modder I love see you doing some changes on the lian li. I myself modded a limited copper lian li last year and was tons of fun.

Dont know if you use Premiere to edit when not at Linux, but with that machine you can easily render with NVENC in 1/10th of the time of the video. I have a gtx 950, i5 and HDD and I do it in 1/5th already (render in 5 minutes a 25 minutes video). If you do use Premiere give it a try, your life will change.