One of the best things about a PC is that it’s upgradeable. If you’re a tinkerer, there’s no greater joy than opening up your case and shoving in a newly acquired bit of hardware and then benchmarking your games instead of actually playing them. If you’re not the sort who likes to fiddle though, upgrading is a daunting task. Razer’s new concept PC makes it all a much more elegant and streamlined process – by making the thing modular.
Called Project Christine, the concept would allow just about anybody to build and upgrade their own PC, very nearly automatically and on-the-fly, without having to know the slightest thing about how computers actually work. You won’t even have to unscrew a single side panel, as everything just about slides in and synchs automatically through the magic of PCI express.
It’s more a rack than a traditional PC tower, and would allow users to throw in up to four inter-connected GPUs, multiple SSD and RAID drives, cooling units, control panels, input and output modules and a whole other whack of odd accessory. Of course, the big drawback here is you’d have to use Razer’s branded components, sacrificing the open nature of PC components, and also paying that Razer premium.
You can read more about Christine at Razer’s site, and get a better understanding of how it might work by watching the video below. It’s sexy as hell, but if it is all as proprietary as it seems, it would be doomed before it began.
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Last Updated: January 8, 2014
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 8, 2014 at 13:04
Yeah you said it, very cool, but can only imagine the price…
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
January 8, 2014 at 13:19
But there is not case that you can pimp out and customize
FSR
January 8, 2014 at 13:08
And IMO Razer’s build quality has done nothing but decline in the recent years…
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 8, 2014 at 13:15
Well my Diamondback is now going on 9 years, and still rockin!
My KB is also a few years old, not a single day of issue there.
To be fair, have not purchased recent Razer tech in last 4 years…
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 8, 2014 at 13:08
Christine? Isn’t that the killer car from one or other Stephen King novel?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
January 8, 2014 at 13:13
Haaaaaaave you seen the header image? 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 8, 2014 at 13:15
Yes, I was just too lazy to Google for confirmation. 😉
Dean
January 8, 2014 at 13:10
That looks all well and fine but will it come with a tropical fish tank module? Or a mini fridge?
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 8, 2014 at 13:16
I can do with a mini fridge in mine tbh
VampyricSquirrel Monk
January 8, 2014 at 13:31
I want the coffee maker module… that’s activated with a shortcut key.
Dean
January 8, 2014 at 13:33
And if we get the ‘Premium’ edition, it should come with the added Ouma Rusk dispenser.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 8, 2014 at 13:34
OUMA FTW!!!
SaintsRowNigri
January 8, 2014 at 14:09
Promiscuous Granny?
VampyricSquirrel Monk
January 8, 2014 at 13:40
Ouma Rusks, Coffee and Nutticrust cookies
Devourer of Small Bunnies
January 8, 2014 at 13:32
Espresso/Triple Distilled single malt whiskey on tap.
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
January 8, 2014 at 13:19
Speaking of building a PC… I seriously need to build myself a new one, there are way too many games that I am missing out on
Devourer of Small Bunnies
January 8, 2014 at 13:29
Ya know, I saw this a bit earlier and I thought to myself “What exactly is the difference between this and owning a normal PC?” I think its valid. Barring the fact that yeah, you dont (probably) need to worry about free PCIE slots, or even what chipset you are running on, but for a company specific modular machine? i dont see the point. How much “PC know how” is being removed? You still need to make sure you have enough power for a bigger or second gpu, to upgrade your cpu you would need to know what you running before getting something more appropriate or bigger. The reasons why PC’s are SO CONFUSING (even though they not really) is that its the little details that matter. Things like the size of the cahce, the amount of CUDA cores, weather I have a system capable of doing TressFX or Physics.
It doesnt look to me like razor is simplifying anything. Yes ok, cool, now I dont have to open a case to install new hardware. And? What? Is that it? Unique “caseless” mobo? Erm. I dont see how this benefits anyone. Folk who are concerned about upgrading usually have the know how as well as the XP to do so. So who is this aimed at? It cant be your lower end “mainstream” clientelle, as they more than likely get other people to do their handy work, and are advised when and if an upgrade is necessary. Hardly ever is the issue of a slow PC ever fixed by “upgrading” anything. It cant be aimed at enthusiasts or gamers because, lets face it, if you have any kind of xp playing PC for any number of years, you have more than likely had to open up the beast with no name to clean out muck in a fan or replace some ram.
So then who? Who is this marketed at? Dont get me wrong (being my usual cynical self) but surely you cant create a product for a market that doesnt exist?
Devourer of Small Bunnies
January 8, 2014 at 13:31
In fact, a beautiful comparison, if you want to learn to play guitar, you buy a guitar and Rocksmith, not a plastic guitar shaped controller and Guitar Hero.
SaintsRowNigri
January 8, 2014 at 14:04
This can help, if you, like me, have excruciatingly dumb fingers. I promise you, screwing in a screw (Not, not shagging in a screw) can turn into a battle for me.
But, as Geoff said, that Razer premium is going to be steep. Plus, the chaps at your local Matrix PC shop will gladly do the labor involved in your upgrade for free, if you bought the components from them.
Devourer of Small Bunnies
January 8, 2014 at 14:40
Yeah exactly my point. Maybe theres more to this than they are leetting on. i do like the idea of the watercooling unit being built into the PSU and such types of innovation. Theres lots that can benefit, but “Christine” as a viable product? No. Not this late into the race.
Rags
January 8, 2014 at 13:51
For those who can’t build a PC.
Here is a challenge for you:
http://www.education.gov.za/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=52EiFUIPfD4%3D&tabid=845
CodeName Tailgunner
January 8, 2014 at 14:50
Wow thats easy
HeniQpotter
January 8, 2014 at 14:06
Oh Christine though heartless bitch, Loved that movie.
Eetcarr
January 9, 2014 at 09:54
Header Image Win!