Cross by Red Harbinger

[l3p]

Here I am with a new project
As some of you might know, ever since I finished the L3p D3sk project all 6 of us have been busy with the company named Red Harbinger. This team exists out of these great persons.


First project ... to improve, re-design and compatibilize the L3p D3sk.




This will be completely different compared to my other buildlogs..
It's the build of the first prototype available for the market soon.
I thought, if I have to test it anyway....
why not make a buildlog and use this opportunity to get as much as possible input from you readers.

Please keep in mind this is a prototype.
Few things we already changed months ago in the design but aren't in this prototype yet.
- Leg height 2 1/2" lower
- Illuminating the legs
- Lots of small things
- Got a dual system version, should've been single


So here we go!
Can you imagine how excited I was after 12 months having this in front of my door?




Right after unpacking it, just had to see how it would look like




'Few' hours later.




Updates:

1. Unpacking the desk
2. Renders
3. Cross buildroom
4. The hardware part 1
5. The hardware part 2
6. Inspecting the prototype
7. Installing the prototype
8. Modding the prototype
9. The hardware part 3
10. Tubing and filling
11. Before the event
12. Firstlook 2012
13. Back to Cross
14. Modding continues
15. Monitormountmod
16. Final adjustments
17. Final pics




Sponsors & Partners









Red Harbinger / Cross FAQ

[NHKS]

I ve seen your L3P D3SK build.. and I did nt expect any improved revision as it was great in its own right!.. but with the Cross prototype u guys seem to have done another great desk & possibly better than it.. red theme looks serious gaming type
looking forward to more updates!..

also, a general question.. removable/washable filters on fan intakes is a norm with cases these days.. i wonder if u have incorporated it in ur prototype?..

[stinger608]

I am subbed on this one!!!!!!!!

Wow, I want one of them desks L3p!!!!!!!!! :-)

Yea, as NHKS stated, I followed your L3P desk build along. Geez, what geek didn't? LOLOL
This should be crazy awesome.

[l3p]

Thanks a lot guys!

[Jetster]

very clean. So this is going to be a production model?

[cadaveca]

OH damn!


DO WANT!!!

[radrok]

Tell me you are based on Europe so we can have nice shipping

Also which standard have you adopted with fans? 120mm or 140mm?

Thanks l3p. Awesome work.

[Munki]

Off topic here, but does that cars headlights have eye lashes?

Looking forward to seeing the revisions!

[l3p]

Originally Posted by Jetster

very clean. So this is going to be a production model?

Thanks! And ... yes soon

Originally Posted by radrok

Tell me you are based on Europe so we can have nice shipping
Also which standard have you adopted with fans? 120mm or 140mm?
Thanks l3p. Awesome work.

Thanks radrok!
The desk is compatible with 120mm fans else it would get too high.
However ... it does allow 14 of them

Originally Posted by Munki

Off topic here, but does that cars headlights have eye lashes?

Looking forward to seeing the revisions!

Yes indeed ... my wife's car

[radrok]

Just another question, if you don't mind of course, if someone doesn't want the dual tray desk will be possible to install let's say a MO-RA3 horizontally on the other side? I am very looking forward to this product.

Thanks.

[l3p]

No problem man
This desk will also be available in a single pc version.
If you would remove the HDD/second pc tray and don't use the 5.25" slots (right) or the HDD brackets (left) there's a space of 500x440x180mm

[l3p]

First of all, again want to remind you this is a prototype.

Unpacking.

So .... there it was.
No idea what the actual weight was incl all glass panels and some other stuff I needed.
I think around 90-100Kg.
I was 'home alone' and tried pulling/pushing it, but didn't move an inch.




5 minutes later it even started to rain




Since there wasn't a neighbour available either I came up with a thousands of years old idea.
It worked pretty well :P




My heart still bouncing. Package was just as big as my couch.




First top package contained these panels for the legs (old design) and the glass for the shelf.
(Other top package contained some hardware you'll see later)




Glass for the shelf connected to the legs.
It has a frosted bottom and rounded edges.




And a lasered logo on top.




The big package exists out of 3 smaller boxes. Top one contains the desk itself and all smaller stuff needed for the desk.




As you can see the desk will come partly assembled.




Second level contains the big top glass panel






With a frosted bottom edge, also a small logo and off course rounded edges.




The third and last box contains the assembled legs, backside cover (where PSU and all cables go), and the panel between the legs for more stability.
(This panel got a great improvement in the next prototype on looks and stability, you'll see it later)




Unpacking the small stuff.




Leg and backside cover on the background.




Unboxing the desk.




Back side.




Front.
It's incredibly huge ... I knew the size but still the only word that came up in me was WOW!




Well.. I was still on my own, so had to find a way to lift it on the legs just for a few photos








Really love this color and way of powdercoating.
Off course it will be available in many colors/finishes.






The grommets!
Well I got a few spares I guess.




The switches. What color do you guys prefer?




My choice is black/red led




Glass panel on top of the desk. (Still without rubber seal)




As you guys can see it's pretty high, we lowered the next prototype about 2 1/2".








I found a good purpose for that quite unhandleable box



Tomorrow I'll post some (concept) renders we're busy with incl. the monitor stand.

[SP3KT3R]

That is truly a masterpiece! Looking forward to the coming weeks to see the progress you make.

[Frutol]

and folowing another of your threads.. goddammit I want one like that =) my single core laptop is getting a bit old right now =(

[l3p]

Renders!

Well I got some questions about the possible colors and the monitor stand.
Maybe this post will make some things clear.
There's also a render coming up with all the in and outside measurements in mm and inch to answer some of your questions.


These were made by perfect cooperation between Shawn and Scott
First of all an exploded view of the prototype I have here.




And the HDD bracket I personally won't be using for this build but will be in the standard desk.




Our plans are to have the desk in a few standard colors.
However there is an option to order the desk completely color-customized.
So this render is just to show what parts could be in your own custom color.






The monitor stand.
This is still just a concept, but we're working on it




Reservoirs.
Also a concept we're busy with.
Don't ask for details





And some renders of a white desk with concept reservoirs.

[NHKS]

PURE QUALITY!!.. keep the info coming..

- for the power button, would like it black w/ red led as u said but i guess a brushed-metal switch(anodized black) would give a better look & feel..

- the attention to detail with logos(frosted & lased) is pure-class!.. maybe u should give the option to customize a 'part' of the glass space for the customer to have his artwork/system specs/graffiti lased on to the glass?.. i know i wouldnt do it but some customers might like the option

- the back-panel between the legs i feel could be wee bit further up so that ppl would not feel claustrophobic about stretching their legs! just a thought.. i do strech sometimes and if some panel hinders then i feel uncomfortable

[t_ski]

Originally Posted by l3p

Reservoirs.
Also a concept we're busy with.
Don't ask for details

http://redharbinger.com/photo/Cross/...rs_concept.JPG

These are just sick...

Originally Posted by NHKS

the back-panel between the legs i feel could be wee bit further up so that ppl would not feel claustrophobic about stretching their legs! just a thought.. i do strech sometimes and if some panel hinders then i feel uncomfortable

The usually refer to this as a privacy or "modesty" panel. These are common on desks to protect nice ladies in short skirts.

[radrok]

Man this is awesome, I've been following your l3p d3sk since the very beginning, I am so going to make an order on day one

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by radrok

Man this is awesome, I've been following your l3p d3sk since the very beginning, I am so going to make an order on day one

+++++11111 on that.

Being in the UK, I have to wonder when it will be available in the United States?

This is just pure awesomeness in every sense of the word!!!!!

I could put both my i7 systems in one unit and free up a TON of space.

[l3p]

Thanks guys! Been a while since we're all very busy.

First of all I want to thank Youri Vandevelde!
From the very start he has been a Red Harbinger 'fan' and he made a FAQ by gathering all questions and answers from all forums and facebook.
Red Harbinger FAQ
Also added this link to the topic start and will be updated constantly.
If you have any other questions ... shoot


We had a lot of changes in the desk.
Example of only 10 of the 40 changes of the last 5 weeks.

- Less screws on the vanity plate/leg plating.
- Have a stand-off PEM under the top and middle portion of the right side tray to prevent sagging.
- PEM's on inside of legs to attach the bottom leg rest, top to chassis, and rear to backplate.
- Added faster bottom access panel removal/install option.
- Tube holes near cpu just as high as the holes in the middle/bridge.
- Center bridge monitor cabling section has a screw in the way.
- 5.25" slots too narrow cause of powdercoat.
- HDD tray hole covers
- Fan connector space on left and right.
- Grommet holes beneath 5.25" trays.

Lots of things you find out once you have a prototype to test.


For this specific build I also have a small problem
The prototype intended for me to test appeared to be a dual pc desk.
Wouldn't have been a problem except there were no single pc desk 'firewall' and 'HDD-tray'.
Manufacturing a single set in the US with the same powdercoat and sending it to Holland would be too expensive.
So decided to build a dual pc desk .. Need to be tested anyway.
Still need to arrange the hardware but that will hopefully work out.

Off course I also needed a place to build and test this desk....


When I just took the picture from this corner my wife ... never mind .... no option




Attic? Nah, need to tidy it up then. Now I know exactly where everything is
(It is a bit cleaned up as we speak though)




Last option ... the spare room.






Check!




After moving the desk upstairs it did get a bit crowded.




Went shopping for some cabinets.




Assembled the legs to make it more firm.
(This design has already been changed, improved and lowered)




Firm enough for now.




Approved!




First thing to test ... mainboard layout




And off course sitting behind it after a long day.




This weekend more about the to be used hardware and watercooling.

[l3p]

Here a first look on the hardware and watercooling to be used.
Sorry for the amount of photos, because the prototype got here later then expected I had some time to do all this in front


First the package from Highflow.nl
In love...






And 2 pumps from a previous project.






Fillports for the 'Firewall' and a tube test sample.






And more tube.




A flowmeter I can't live without anymore



Thanks Freddy!


The package from Cooler Master.
1500W dual rail!














And the fans with red lighting.





Thanks Marco en Ruud!


Quite some extension cables going into a pc this size.
BitFenix wanted to help me out on this.












And did a small order from Highflow, had a small idea









I'm satisfied.



Thanks Lester!!


Also an incredible package from Corsair.










Back when I had all time in the world




Ordered 3 extra, not for performance, for the looks.





Thanks Gareth!


And some extra products I ordered.
The first prototype RF RGB ready-to-go LED-kit for the desk






And off course a socket.




Which I made smaller to fit inside the desk.




Raid card with external ports.
Works perfectly in a 'desk' build, no cables in sight.






And some extra accessories cause of cable length/management.




Example.

[t_ski]

Which ram sets did you get from Corsair?

EDIT: Nevermind. I just realized the pics are clickable & linked to larger images.

[xxdozer322]

Wowowowwowowowowoowowowow

[Chevalr1c]

Subscribed.

[l3p]

We've been really busy with the final design the last 4 weeks again.
The last week I've been busy with this particular build too.
Bit of a weird buildlog for me too cause some photos are already here for months
Also because I decided to do the dual-pc-build a few weeks ago.
I completely understand some people want to see some desk photos but first have to show the hardware cause they will be in the next photos with the desk too.
This week there will be multiple updates, already got 100+ pics waiting of the desk


So first a last hardware post, then some first 'fails' in the desk and some build/block mounting pics.


Asus package.








Love the size.




Somehow those aircoolers got something...



Thanks a lot Asus Benelux and specially Rogier!


Lamptron package.




Also for next 're-builds'



Comes out handy with the Bitfenix extension cables.




Was going to use 2 controllers but because I'm using 2 pc's it will now be one.



Thanks Lamptron!


And the ultra package EKWB.




Still like acrylic most.








But have to say these look awesome!






Huge!




Pump tops.




All unpacked.






Mounting the pumps.




Changing for stainless steel bolts.






Test cause I was (back then) bored




Package that arrived later.




This build will have 4 EKWB reservoirs since our own reservoir isn't ready yet.






And extra fittings for the reservoirs and 2nd pc.




All together.







Gregor ... again ... your awesome!


And from Cooler Master for the 2nd pc.








Love these PSU's!



Also thanks again a lot Marco and Ruud!


Corsair also insisted on doing something extra.
I can work with this




For the 2nd pc.




Already have a cool plan for the speakers.






Don't have much to compare, used a Cambridge 4.1 set for over 10 years and have a Bose 2.0 set now.
I can say the sound is WAY better, and twice more volume







Corsair also thanks enormously!!

On to the pics of the desk and block mounting!