AboutProjectsBlog

Workstation PCs

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.

Some time in October 2025, I started to experiment with running the RAM at a lower voltage than the standard 1.2v, starting with 1.05v. Even with loosening timings, the system could not POST at DDR4-3200 at this VDIMM voltage so it is set to DDR4-3000 for the time being.

Configuration

Current specifications as of November 14, 2025

Monitors

Though not associated with the system as anything else can be connected, these are the monitors that I currently use with the desktop.

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 October 19, 2025:

Monitors

SIGN1 (2025-present) - (codename TBD)

This is a dedicated system to run two monitors that show a calendar and to-do list. It currently runs Fedora 42 using the i3 Window Manager and makes use of surf to show a self-hosted ToDoKiosk instance and a DAKboard calendar.

Configuration as of September 7, 2025:

Monitors

WBPC3 (2025-present) - "Polystyrene v2"

Acquired from 2nd Life Inc. in August 2025, this system was acquired as a direct upgrade to the 2006 Apple Mac Pro 1,1 I have tried time and time again to make use of. Main uses are for era-appropiate game development and experimentation.

Configuration as of October 25, 2025:

Laptops

These are laptops that I currently use on a regular basis.

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 October 19, 2025:

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:

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.

As of May 2025, the system often finds use for storywriting, sprite editing with (self-compiled) Aseprite. I noticed that Aseprite has exceptionally good performance, using less than 100MB of RAM, barely uses CPU whatsoever and runs smoothly.

Configuration as of May 20, 2025:

MWDL3 (2023-present) - "Chromium Sulfate"

This small Chromebook was acquired from 2nd Life Inc. in April 2023 in the need of a small, low-power and easy-to-clean laptop to use on the go. The latter requirement had me seek out this unit as it has no cooling vents. The very-low-TDP CPU allows for exceptional battery life, having it useful for writing and light development on the go. Immediately after receiving this system, I flashed Coreboot using Mr. Chromebox's tools, effectively turning the system into a regular laptop to install another Linux distribution.

In May 2025, the previous display was replaced with an Innolux N116BCA-EA1 Rev. C1 and again in October 2025, the display was replaced with an Innolux N116BCA-EA1 Rev C2 as the former display had many noticeable light spots. The former display would now become part of MonitorCow MNC-N116BCA-EA1.

There has been plans to switch the on-board eMMC for a 32GB or 64GB part such as KLMBG2JETD-B041 or KLMCG4JETD-B041 respectively. Due to limited skills in SMT soldering, especially BGA, this has not been done.

Configuration as of October 19, 2025:

CTCL 2018-2025