[Project] Scratch Desk Build

Hey there,
After seeing several people create desk mods (l3p among them) I've decided to give it a shot myself. My main purpose is to save space for when I move into my dorm rooms this upcoming year. Today is the first day that I've started to think about this project and I've got quite a long way to go. I'm making this thread to get feedback from you guys and possibly get help from someone who is good with Google Sketchup or a related program.

I will be building the desk out of aluminum and bamboo(I can get a lot of it for very cheap). I haven't done much work with metal before but I have with wood, so I will probably do the frame in aluminum, and pay someone to help me. The rest will be bamboo including the main body of the desk (the innards will most likely be aluminum for the mobo tray and such).

I'm going to start off by listing my hardware that I currently own. I will include comments on parenthesis for possible upgrades.

CURRENTLY OWN:

• i5 3570k
• Asus Z77 Sabertooth
• 128 GB M4 SSD
• 2x1TB HDD
• Patriot RAM
• GTX 670 w/ Block
• Lepa 850W PSU (Really hate this thing, definitely want to find a suitable upgrade)
• WC Stuff:
• Raystorm CPU block
• XSPC EX240 rad (Will sell these and get 2x480 rads, need to choose which company)
• XSPC EX120 rad
• XSPC 750 res/pump combo (Will be changed, maybe fusion reservoir and a MCP655)
• A few misc. fittings and Koolance disconnects (Might buy a full compression fittings set or just stay with what I currently have, not sure yet)

Current Status:
Finalizing sketchup model, purchasing metals for work.
Design as of today:



That sums of my hardware necessities, I think (lemme know if I forgot something lol). Moving on to the actual design of the desk...I'm going to try and do something in Google Sketchup today, and get a rough sketch up for you guys to see and critique. I'm definitely going to need help with the design of the desk, so if anyone is interested please let me know cause I can use the help!

That's it for now, as soon as we get moving, I'm going to create a buildlog so you guys can see my progress as I move along.

Thanks guys! Just started using sketchup. Here's a picture of where I'm going so far.

Haha I knew I was forgetting something! Im pretty sure I can cut away from the middle of the bamboo for leg space but I'm not sure about the integrity if I do something like that. Also I know when l3p did his desk he had a lip on the main "box" and that it sat on top of the frame. Should I do the same or keep it as it is and bolt the box to the frame from the inside?

Thanks

edit:
Been working on the model, haven't accounted for leg room yet...will have to work on that later. I changed it so the frame is flush with lip of the "box" like l3ps design . Was just working on placement and have run into a slight issue...where to place the PSU. The 480 rads pretty much take up all the space in the back lengthwise. I could move down to 2 360s, what do you guys think? I will most likely end up cooling the CPU, mobo (if i can find a block), and a GTX 670 or 2 GTX 460s. Are the 480s necessary?
Edited by Abenlog - 5/12/12 at 12:26pm

Here's an updated picture of the model.

Reviving a very dead project as I've found myself with 6 weeks off between semesters at University. I think it's about time we got this together, don't you? Again a HUGE thank you to L3p for his original idea and very detailed buildlog. It has helped me to create this sketchup that I hope is going to be the final design. Please give me all your criticism.

I still need help deciding on the colors for this build as I am closet colorblind...any help in this matter is much appreciated! Remember to include overall LEDs, possible helix color (not sure if im getting one), sleeving color, coolant color, and finally a possible tint on the glass. Let me know guys!

I can't order anything until I know what colors I'm going to be using, please help me out guys!