Computex 2008: FOXCONN Shows Quad-PC Gaming Machine Prototype

[W1zzard]

The Denube Gaming Machine Concept is basically four computers in one case, powered by a single power supply.



It is targeted at people that often have friends coming in for small-scale LAN parties. Also it would allow cost, size and power efficient installations for bigger Internet Cafes.



At this time it is still a prototype while FOXCONN evaluates the demand for for this kind of product. For example the Ethernet switch you see on the bottom will be integrated into the case as well.
FOXCONN specifically asked you guys for feedback what you think about this, so feel free to discuss it here.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[kwchang007]

Wow this is great, I mean it just goes to show what can happen when companies cut down power consumption. Could you use this as a mini-super computer?

 

[Disparia]

Personally I'm more into the mainframe style setup. A nice big multi-core, multi-proc box with a few video cards powering the TV's and terminals around the house.

I think they should work on a low-cost blade design for ease of maintenance and installation if targeting cafe's, businesses (call centers, cubicle farms, etc).

Just a bit downscaled from Supermicro's SuperBlade/OfficeBlade

 

[timta2]

That sign is horrendous. You would think they would have the $ to have someone fluent in English proofread it.

 

[WarEagleAU]

I actually like it. Ive never been to a lan party or anything but I like the whole concept of it.

 

[ShadowFold]

4-way lan on a single macine? I like!

 

[Triprift]

They would be ideal for the lan partys i go to normally theres a few hundred ppl there thats alot of juice being used.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

I like this...since I like PC gaming better with the convenience of consoles. I can get those large, round tables with a little hole in the middle, and that's where the cords would go through. I would invite my friends everyday for mini-LAN parties. (Haven't been to one of those in a while).

 

[Megasty]

Man this would be more than perfect for my situation. Is it just me or do everyone from dell to computex thinks that an E8500 is a Core 2 Quad

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

Although cooling is less than great, I like it alot. Good for a family with many computers.

 

[Katanai]

What can I say? I want one!

 

[echo75]

1.foxconn needs a lesson or 2 in cable management.

2. Notice its 300w per motherboard, cpu and GPU ( 1200 /4 ) . That comfirms that many people over estimate thier power needs . For example a single PC with same specs running on 1000w her on TPU.

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

so a clan could roll with it? instead of carrying 4 different pc's? or is it virtual pc's being run?

i can has better pics?

 

[GSG-9]

1.foxconn needs a lesson or 2 in cable management.

2. Notice its 300w per motherboard, cpu and GPU ( 1200 /4 ) . That comfirms that many people over estimate thier power needs . For example a single PC with same specs running on 1000w her on TPU.

Its a PROTOTYPE. Why would they ever care about cable management in something they are constantly rearranging?

Cable management is an after thought, for tying up loose ends.

 

[Wile E]

I like the idea, but I think price would be the limiting factor here.

 

[ss99]

what was the os
it wont be microsoft i think

 

[tkpenalty]

I hope foxconn redoes the rear IO, to a proprietary standard. Its best if foxconn just puts all four systems on ONE PCB.

List of things I'd wish for from foxconn on this:
-Cut stuff out like extra firewire/USB headers, almost all the PCI slots, extra RAM slots, etcetera-its not like you will be able to use them anyway. It saves manufacturing costs by having one quater of your PCB's not made; the motherboard would be a horizontally long ITX board. With the workforce that foxconn possesses, its pretty easy for them to cut the stuff that wont be able to be used. The main reason though is to reduce the motherboard's footprint.
-Rear IO on one bank... far more sensible than the IO being all over the place
-Integrated network hub. If this product is MEANT to work as one system for four player gaming, why not have the router intergrated?
-GPU; foxconn should really develop a low profile version of the 8800GT; it is technically possible.
I hope someone here whos from foxconn reads this. While yes I have to praise that foxconn has the balls to pull this off, and while it is a prototype... I'll be utterly dissapointed if they don't implement something like that.

 

[Disparia]

so a clan could roll with it? instead of carrying 4 different pc's? or is it virtual pc's being run?

i can has better pics?

From the pics and info there, I'm assuming it's just one box, one power supply, and four separate systems.

Kind of like the Microwulf or Tyan's PSC (except that they all have separate power supplies).

 

[Kreij]

On top of small scale lan parties, I think this type of unit would be great for schools in their computer labs, or possibly even businesses depending on how their cubicles are arranged.

They could possibly make two versions. A gaming version (with a lot of the stuff stripped out to reduce cost as tkpentalty suggested) and a business/school version.

I would be nice to get a little more information on what other devices they were thinking of putting in the chassis (HDDs, DVDs, etc.).

What about upgradability? Would larger PSUs be available if you want to put more power hungry components inside? Is there enough room in it to facilitate some kind of watercooling setup for people who wanted to OC the components?

 

[Disparia]

I hope foxconn redoes the rear IO, to a proprietary standard. Its best if foxconn just puts all four systems on ONE PCB.

List of things I'd wish for from foxconn on this:
-Cut stuff out like extra firewire/USB headers, almost all the PCI slots, extra RAM slots, etcetera-its not like you will be able to use them anyway. It saves manufacturing costs by having one quater of your PCB's not made; the motherboard would be a horizontally long ITX board. With the workforce that foxconn possesses, its pretty easy for them to cut the stuff that wont be able to be used. The main reason though is to reduce the motherboard's footprint.
-Rear IO on one bank... far more sensible than the IO being all over the place
-Integrated network hub. If this product is MEANT to work as one system for four player gaming, why not have the router intergrated?
-GPU; foxconn should really develop a low profile version of the 8800GT; it is technically possible.
I hope someone here whos from foxconn reads this. While yes I have to praise that foxconn has the balls to pull this off, and while it is a prototype... I'll be utterly dissapointed if they don't implement something like that.

I'd think that lack of production would make it quite costly, like this six segment PCB:

Six SBC slots (anything from a P4 to dual Xeons) each with an PCIe x16 slot, some with x8.

It's not really one system for four players, it's four systems in a single box for easy deployment and easy upgrades as they're just mATX boards.

 

[DrPepper]

what was the os
it wont be microsoft i think

Why would it not be microsoft since you can't game on linux.

 

[Triprift]

Why would it not be microsoft since you can't game on linux.

Lol well put

 

[Kreij]

The only downside I can see is that limited cable lengths may make for a bit of crowding around the unit.

It they could implement wireless video (keyboard and mouse is a given) this would be a the best thing since ... well chose your own saying

 

[GSG-9]

I hope foxconn redoes the rear IO, to a proprietary standard. Its best if foxconn just puts all four systems on ONE PCB.

List of things I'd wish for from foxconn on this:
-Cut stuff out like extra firewire/USB headers, almost all the PCI slots, extra RAM slots, etcetera-its not like you will be able to use them anyway. It saves manufacturing costs by having one quater of your PCB's not made; the motherboard would be a horizontally long ITX board. With the workforce that foxconn possesses, its pretty easy for them to cut the stuff that wont be able to be used. The main reason though is to reduce the motherboard's footprint.
-Rear IO on one bank... far more sensible than the IO being all over the place
-Integrated network hub. If this product is MEANT to work as one system for four player gaming, why not have the router intergrated?
-GPU; foxconn should really develop a low profile version of the 8800GT; it is technically possible.
I hope someone here whos from foxconn reads this. While yes I have to praise that foxconn has the balls to pull this off, and while it is a prototype... I'll be utterly dissapointed if they don't implement something like that.

I cant tell if your serious or not,
Yeah there good ideas, but its kinda like asking for a hydrogen powered car right now, Yeah it could be designed and engineered. but its not going to happen right now

 

[Steevo]

I like the idea if the cost and or setup reflects what the market is able to bear. This would be great for small offices. One box, one huge UPS, one room to cool.


How noisy is it?