HP’s Firebird transformed PC design. VoodooPC’s founder explains how
Record: Adam Patrick Murray/Foundry
It’s been virtually two decades since HP purchased the boutique laptop maker VoodooPC, bolstering each its gaming and carry out offerings. And in 2009, that hold bore fruit: The company’s “Blackbird” carry out modified into as soon as sophisticated actual into a substantial-powered, substantial-modular microtower known as the Firebird 803. On the latest PCWorld YouTube video, we’re joined by VoodooPC founder Rahul Sood (currently CEO of Irreverent Labs) for a non-public tour of this incredibly irregular desktop carry out.
Despite being incredibly compact and that contains loads of parts designed for laptops, the Firebird is designed to be modular in each formula, with easy person obtain admission to to all parts. That functions the dual cellular graphics playing cards, a pair of Nvidia GeForce 9800S GPUs in SLI. Both MXM playing cards had been slotted into the motherboard beneath massive watercooling blocks, virtually treasure oversized RAM DIMMs, person-accessible and not utilizing a soldering.
The irregular case deserves some consideration. Despite visually akin to the Blackbird, it’s a total customized carry out integrating a laptop laptop vitality supply for a relatively miniature interior quantity, even though this present day the slot-loading Blu-ray drive seems a miniature little bit of dated. Around support you might perchance presumably also recognize relics treasure Firewire and eSATA ports.
Sood had hoped that the Firebird might perchance be the first in a series of designs eager on modularity and person customization, including a that you might perchance presumably also imagine collaboration with LEGO on a elephantine DIY build-a-PC equipment. Alas, HP went in a definite course, switching to more ragged desktops and composed laptops for the Voodoo sub-price. Right this moment, the Firebird’s reliance on MXM cellular graphics playing cards and a personalised liquid cooling setup formula your upgrade alternate ideas are restricted, even have to you might perchance presumably also be conscious one down in working uncover.
Nonetheless arguably, the Firebird’s very existence impressed a brand sleek period of miniature obtain aspect PCs that refused to compromise on gaming efficiency. For more deep dives on the history of laptop carry out, subscribe to PCWorld on YouTube.
Writer: Michael Crider, Workers Writer
Michael is a outdated graphic clothier who’s been building and tweaking desktop computers for longer than he cares to admit. His pursuits encompass folks music, soccer, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no bid uncover.
