Desktops
WBPC1 (2023-present) - "Polybutylene Terephthalate" (PBT)
The "main" desktop I use, formerly having the codename "Polybutylene Terephthalate"/"PBT". This system was originally built in January 2023 with changes over time consisting of the case, memory (RAM) and storage.
Unlike former systems which used Intel Xeon CPUs from 2010-2013, this build made use of modern components. It makes use of the ECC memory support of certain AMD Ryzen desktop CPUs and motherboards. In the past I avoided using Ryzen processors due to the uncertainty of ECC memory support. However, this time I was able to find a motherboard that I could ensure that ECC memory is supported. Others online were able to help me find out that the CPU's memory controller was configured for it with a feature within CPU-Z on Windows.
The "rebuild" of the system with the Cooler Master N200 case was mostly to make the system more portable while the motherboard was already in a microATX format. The idea to have the system more portable is from how there is the possibility of going on another long business trip or vacation. Though, bringing the desktop on trips may only be possible if traveling by road as it would be too difficult to transport the system on aircraft due to its weight and fragility. The first time it was brought with me on a out-of-town trip was in November 2024 with the annual trip to Syracuse, New York.
Starting January 2025, the system is no longer used for gaming as a Steam Deck took over this task along with the Windows + Linux Mint installation being replaced by Fedora Linux. This was mostly done to reduce distractions and to move from Linux Mint. This transistion, however, did not last long due to performance issues with certain games on the Steam Deck. Later, in May 2025, all gaming was moved back to the Steam Deck.
On March 10, 2025, the first corrected memory error occured and was discovered later in the month, further reinforcing that ECC memory is supported on AMD Ryzen and this motherboard (ASRock B550M Pro4) specifically.
Configuration
Current specifications as of January 9, 2025:
- Motherboard: ASRock B550M Pro4
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600
- Memory: 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 1Rx8 Unbuffered ECC Micron Technology MTA9ASF2G72AZ-3G2B1
- Graphics: ASRock Challenger D AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB GDDR6 (Samsung)
- Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD SK hynix Platinum P41 + 512GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD Samsung PM9A1 (Unused)
- Power Supply: Corsair RM850x
- CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO V2, with a single 120mm Protechnic Magic MGT12012ZB-W25
- Case Fans: 3x 120mm Protechnic Magic MGT12012ZB-W25
- Case: Cooler Master N200
Monitors
Though not associated with the system as anything else can be connected, these are the monitors that I currently use with the desktop.
- Monitor 1: Dell P2214H 1920x1080 60Hz Samsung PLS LTM230HL08
- Monitor 2: Dell P2214H 1920x1080 60Hz Samsung PLS LTM230HL08
- Monitor 3: Dell 1704FP 1280x1024 60Hz Samsung IPS
WBPC2 (2023-present) - "Polycarbonate
This desktop was built in the need of a small but reliable PC to have on the workbench. The build was completed for less than US$150 in June 2023.
Configuration as of January 9, 2025:
- Motherboard: HP Z240
- CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5
- Memory: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-2400 (at DDR4-2133) Unbuffered ECC Samsung M391A1K43BB1-CRC
- Graphics: HP Nvidia GT 730 2GB DDR3-1866 (SK hynix)
- Storage: Samsung PM9A1 512GB NVMe
- Power Supply: HP 80+ Platinum
- CPU Cooler: HP Z240 cooler
- Case: HP Z240 case
Currently dual-boots Windows 10 and Linux Mint 21.1 XFCE though at some point I may switch to having only Fedora.
WBPC3 (2025-present) - "Polypropylene
This desktop was built after I had to pull out the X8DAi motherboard from "Polyethylene" since I needed to use it as a server. An ASUS KCMA-D8 was installed in the same case. As of May 20, 2025, it is solely used for game development for mostly no other reason than aesthetics.
Configuration as of May 20, 2025:
- Motherboard: ASUS KCMA-D8
- CPU: 2x AMD Opteron 4386
- Memory: 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1333 Registered ECC Patriot PS312G13ER3K-E (Qimonda IDSH1G-02A1F1C-13H, diffused in Virginia)
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon R7 240 1GB DDR3 (Nanya) current, AMD/ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB GDDR5 (Qimonda, also diffused in Virginia) planned
- CPU Coolers: 2x Dynatron F661
- Case Fans: 3x 120mm Protechnic Magic MGT12012ZB-W25
- Case: DIYPC Silence-BK-Window
- Power Supply: Corsair RM650x
WBPC3 (2021-2025) - "Polyethylene
This was my first ever PC build to do entirely on my own. Planning started in December 2020 and the build was completed in February 2021.
Configuration prior to server reconfiguration in January 2025:
- Motherboard: Supermicro X8DAi
- CPUs: 2x Intel Xeon X5670
- Memory: 48GB (12x4GB) DDR3-1333 Registered ECC Nanya Technology NT4GC72B4NA1NL-CG
- Graphics: HP AMD Radeon RX 580 4GB GDDR5 (Samsung)
- Storage, boot: 512GB ADATA SU800 SATA SSD
- Storage, user: 1TB Western Digital WD1003FBYX-01Y7B0 SATA 7200RPM HDD
- Audio: Integrated Realtek
- Extra: USB 3.0 PCIe expansion card (Renesas IC)
- Case fans: 3x 120mm Protechnic Magic MGT12012ZB-W25
- CPU coolers: 2x Supermicro X8-series 1U heatsinks with one DEEP COOL ICE BLADE 200M fan each
- Power supply: Corsair RM650x
- Case: DIYPC Silence-BK-Window
Laptops
MWDL1 (2021-present) - "Polymethylmethacrylate
This laptop was acquired in September 2021 for about US$500 as part of a search for a laptop with ECC memory support, mostly to see if such thing existed. In 2025, it was among one of the first of my laptops to receive a display upgrade after development on MonitorCow MNC-N156KME-GNA stagnated.
Configuration as of May 20, 2025:
- System: HP ZBook Studio G3 15
- CPU: Intel Xeon E5-1505M v5
- Memory: 1x16GB 2Rx8 DDR4-2400 (at DDR4-2133) Unbuffered ECC SODIMM SK hynix HMA82GS7AFR9N-UH
- GPU: Nvidia Quadro 1000M 2GB GDDR5 (SK hynix)
- Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD SK hynix Gold P31
- Display: 15.6" 1920x1080 60Hz Innolux AAS N156HCG-EN1
MWDL2 (2020-present) - "Chlorodifluoromethane
Though not called MWDL2 until some time in 2024, this laptop was originally given to me by a friend's father in early 2020.
Configuration as of May 20, 2025:
- System: Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
- CPU: Intel Core i7-3520M
- Memory: 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1333 Unbuffered non-ECC OWC (Nanya)
- GPU: Nvidia Quadro NVS 5200M 1GB DDR3 (SK hynix)
- Storage: 500GB Micron Crucial MX500 SATA SSD
- Display: 14" 1920x1080 60Hz Innolux AAS N140HCA-ELK using LVDS-eDP adapter board mod
MWDL3 (2020-present) - "Tetrachlorofluoroethane
This laptop was presumably acquired from 2nd Life Inc. in July-August 2020. Two Qimonda DDR3 2GB modules were likely installed in October 2021 and have been used ever since. Due to the inefficiency of modern software, the laptop is not used that often.
Configuration as of May 20, 2025:
- System: Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo L9400
- Memory: 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1066 Unbuffered non-ECC Qimonda
- GPU: Integrated
- Storage: 500GB Samsung SSD EVO ??? SATA SSD
- Display: 12.1" 1280x800 60Hz