Project Christine (Modular PC) by Razer - Thoughts?

[Downhill Dino]

I follow Razer and what they're doing, and they just recently reveiled something of interest. It feels familiar, as if someone has already done this. Unless I'm thinking of PhoneBloks. But hey maybe I could get one! I've been meaning to build a PC so why not this? I fear expensive components though, because name brand. Regardless, since I know we have a fair share of PC guys here, what are your thoughts?

​

(Information from razerzone.com)

EXTREME PC PERFORMANCE FOR EVERYONE
For more than 30 years, only the most hardcore enthusiasts were able to take advantage of PC customizability. Convoluted hardware made it insane for the average person: knowing what does what, what works with what, and how to connect the pieces.

FULLY MODULAR - MIXING AND MATCHING THE PIECES
Project Christine is a revolutionary new concept design that allows users to build and customize PCs in any configuration without any prior technical knowledge.
Choose any module on-the-fly in any combination, whether it’s the CPU, memory, graphics card, storage or power supply module, and simply plug it in. The PCI-Express architecture of Project Christine automatically syncs the components.

EASILY UPGRADED - KEEPING IT FRESH
As new PC technology evolves, Project Christine can evolve with it. Need more graphics processing power or storage? Easy – a user can slot-in additional graphics modules and add more storage by either swapping-out the existing storage drives or adding more modules.
The modularity of Project Christine makes it perpetually customizable, helping eliminate the need to replace entire systems.

SILENTLY POWERFUL - COOLED, QUIET AND OVERCLOCKED
Each sealed module is entirely self-contained and features active liquid cooling and noise cancellation. With this design, Project Christine’s components can be safely overclocked without voiding warranties.

​

 

[TB]

While it is clearly an interesting concept, for numerous reasons there's no way I'd go that route.

First and foremost, I despise proprietary connections as it severely limits my options for replacements. Sure, other companies might start making parts, but then again they might go the Apple route.

Second, what happens when this doesn't take off and they drop the entire line? You'll end up buying a new rig anyway.

Third, they say that you have to be an über genius to build your own PC. Clearly that's not true as I built mine. Also, the people that don't want to put the effort into researching parts are the people that either have a PC custom built by someone or buy a Dell. Or worse, buy one off the shelf at Best Buy.

 

[F1GTR]

Looks like that Thermaltake Level 10 case from a few years ago. One plus of the modular system is that you have a single point of contact should a module fail instead go having to go through Asus/Gigabyte/Whatever for RMAs. Very similar to Apple in that regard (the single point of contact, not the modular system). However, Razer don't have retail stores all over the world like Apple, so on balance I'm not too keen really. My PC is modular by design anyway, and I built my first one without much effort at all.

 

[Techy]

Interesting concept, but that's all it is - a concept. If they could get it working real-time and actually demonstrate the modular design, then it'll gain attention.
There's the price tag as well. However Razer themselves developed a gaming niche, so the project could convince these individuals to try it out regardless of price.

 

[sesselpupser]

Noooope. It's extremely ugly, but more importantly they're exaggerating how difficult it is to build a PC (all it takes is literacy, the ability to operate a screwdriver, some common sense and maybe a total of 2-3 hours of reading) to sell overpriced tat to suckers. No offence or anything if you are one of those suckers, but building a PC is not a big deal any more. Anyone who tells you otherwise has either not tried (recently) or is trying to sell you an alternative. Seriously, find me someone who researched which parts to buy, built a PC and still thinks building a PC is too difficult to be worth the price difference. I've never seen a commenter on the internet or met a person in real life who fits that bill.

 

[Coxis]

Yeah, no. I love Razer products -- and they're trying to capitalize on the renown of their name with gamers to try and get this to take off, but it won't. If they want to get into the PC hardware business, then they need to think of something else, maybe making computer cases, cooling systems, power supplies, but not this.

I'd like to see you 5 years from now trying to get spare parts for this thing.

 

[Lain]

I think it's a pretty neat concept. Even though I have no qualms building a system or upgrading parts, this is undeniably easier, even if the difference is basically just no screws and the component you're replacing is easier to pull out. And this might be arguable, but I'd say it's cooler too.

I just built a pretty beefy rig, so I won't be buying a new one any time soon. However, if this comes out and is still a thing by the time I'm in the market for a new PC, I'll give it some serious consideration.

And for all those worrying about what might happen if it doesn't take off... I wouldn't be surprised if adventurous users could crack open those modules and change out the GPU, RAM, or whatever they desire.

 

[TB]

And for all those worrying about what might happen if it doesn't take off... I wouldn't be surprised if adventurous users could crack open those modules and change out the GPU, RAM, or whatever they desire.

If the intention is to allow novices to build a custom computer with ease, that completely defeats the purpose of the product.

 

[Robin]

The modular route in technology although appealing has never really been a success becuase of the many reasons already mentioned. Apart from a nice looking unified shape and possibly easier installation it offers no benefits over changing stock pc parts which are going to be cheaper and give you more freedom.

Also connectivity standards change outside of the main components so eventually the shell which ties everything together would itself be obsolete. Also people's tastes change.

 

[Inferno251]

Honestly, I'd rather see Razer improve/work on perfecting the Blade over this