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Open Benchtable BC1 V2 Available Now

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The Open Benchtable BC1 V2 is the most significant iteration of the Open Benchtable and sports a variety of new features such as vertical Demo Mode as well as many feature improvements.

November 3, 2021 – Open Benchtable and Streacom are delighted to announce the latest iteration of the Open Benchtable BC1. The Open Benchtable BC1 V2 is the most significant update to the design since its inception and incorporates new features, design improvements, and many feedbacks from our community and customers.

The Open Benchtable BC1 V2 will replace the existing V1.1 design and comes in 3 colors: Black, Silver, and Titanium.

About Open Benchtable

It’s been quite the Open Benchtable journey from the first conversations in June 2015 at the Computex trade show, over the prototypes tested during the 2016 HWBOT World Tour, to our latest V2 iteration launching in the fourth quarter of 2021. 

We are proud to say that during our many interactions with customers, supporters, enthusiasts, PC DIY aficionados, industry partners, and system builders around the world, we have learned so much about everything that makes the Open Benchtable great and all the things it wasn’t so great at yet.

We’re never shy to accept feedback, good or bad, and always look to improve the Open Benchtable product family. As you’ll find out in the sections below, the Open Benchtable underwent quite a transformation from the 2016 V0.1 to our 2021 V2. For V2 we incorporated as much of the feedback as possible to develop the best Open Benchtable to date.

open benchtable v2 evolution

 In our admittedly slightly biased opinion, the result is simply spectacular. The new Open Benchtable BC1 V2 is designed to be more robust, simpler, and more practical to use for everyday PC enthusiasts.

Open Benchtable BC1 V2 Product Features

Although the OBT BC1 V2 has undergone a significant re-design, it was important to stay true to the winning formula and maintain design continuity. The footprint, size, look, and construction will feel entirely familiar to current users and the custom screws will still work on all versions

Built To Last

As with every iteration of the Open Benchtable, the Open Benchtable BC1 V2 is built to last. 

We have implemented several small design revisions which will help further extend the lifespan of the benchtable itself. We also meticulously evaluated the entire supply chain process to not only incorporate lower-waste processes but also overall reduce the environmental impact of the Open Benchtable production.

The Built To Last attitude doesn’t just apply to the Open Benchtable products; it also applies to our planet. Therefore, Open Benchtable joins our partner Streacom in its commitment to offset the environmental impact by reducing waste from smarter packaging and their partnership with the Eden Reforestation Project.

open benchtable v2 packaging

Vertical Demo Mode

A large portion of the Open Benchtable users is die-hard PC enthusiasts. Their unconditional love for computer hardware drives the unstoppable urge to showcase their gear. Another important target audience is YouTubers and influencers who use the Open Benchtable to showcase the products they test and talk about.

The Open Benchtable BC1 V2 incorporates support for a vertical Demo Mode which allows users to set up their Open Benchtable upright. No life hacks are needed, no dodgy prop-up solution is needed to make your gear stand out to all. 

Upgraded Screws, Re-Designed Brackets, and Enhanced Usability

Since its inception, the Open Benchtable has been using the same nuts and screws. While we’ve kept all of the assembly 100% toolless, this significant upgrade improves the V2 durability and long-term use.

To further improve durability, we removed threads made directly into the side of the benchtable. Not only does the screw+nut design ensure all mounting points on the table are much stronger, but also, replacement, in case of damage to the thread, is now possible. Users that mount heavy hardware or require ultra-tight mount can now apply high torque with tools to securely mount anything to the table.

Brackets, which evolved from V1 to V1.1, continue to change. The V2 twin-design bracket allows users to mount two items (upper and lower) from a single location. This also doubles up the usable mount location on the table.

We also included a much-requested feature by our community: a location to mount the Power On button. These two 12mm holes carved in the table give users that do not have power and reset buttons on-board a solution to add their own.

open benchtable v2 buttons

Even More New Features and Improvements

We could be talking to you about the V2 for much longer. The list of changes is extensive, so to keep it short, here are some of the other changes:

  • Added support for SFX PSUs
  • Improved rubber pads on feet
  • Standardized mounting hole spacing: 105mm (120mm fans) and 60mm
  • The Open Benchtable is now easier to disassemble and pack
  • Improved PSU mounting compatibility
  • Better grip with handle cutouts that make the table easier to carry horizontally
  • Introducing motherboard standoff clip for a more secure standoff installation
  • Improved component placement simplifying disassembly
  • More eco-friendly packaging

New redesigned Sleeve – Exclusively on Openbenchtable.com

Orders on the official Open Benchtable webshop at openbenchtable.com will come with an exclusive and totally redesigned sleeve.

Open Benchtable BC1 Mini V2

In addition to the OBT BC1 V2, today we are also announcing the Open Benchtable BC1 Mini V2. The Mini is the ITX small-form-factor version of the ATX-size BC1.

The majority of the feature improvements of OBT V2 have carried over to the OBT Mini V2, including improved storage and assembly procedure, wider SFX PSU compatibility, upgraded feet, more versatile brackets, power/reset switch mounting holes, new screws, more robust build and the new packaging that also goes to planting more trees. 

Open Benchtable V2 Pricing and Availability

The Open Benchtable BC1 V2 is available from the Open Benchtable web shop (https://openbenchtable.com/) starting from November 3, 2021 at US$199. The Open Benchtable BC1 Mini V2 will be available in Q1 2022 at US$179.

Both the OBT BC1 V2 and OBT BC1 Mini V2 will be available in three colors: Black, Silver, and Titanium.

Learn more at openbenchtable.com

Motherboard mounting guide for Open Benchtable and OBT Mini

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This is part of our series of how-to & guide about the Open Benchtable and the Open Benchtable Mini. Today we focus on mounting a motherboard on your Open Benchable.

Getting ready

The Open Benchtable is compatible with pretty much all the common form-factors: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX and XL-ATX.

The Open Benchtable Mini is compatible with the Mini-ITX (and some Mini-DTX) form factor.

To start, get the number of stand-off that you need from their storage location. ATX & Micro-ATX form factor requires up-to nine and Mini-ITX requires four.

As mentioned in our mounting guides, there are two types of stand-offs and they can be mixed. Half of them are push-pin standoff while the other half is made of screw standoffs (these are similar to the conventional standoffs you find in most cases). All of the standoffs are stored in the feet of your OBT.

If you are using screw standoffs, get the same amount of M3 screws off, there are located on the right of your OBT.

Tips from the team: we usually go for one conventional standoff in the center and push-pins for all of the others! (you can mix push-pin and screw-standoffs that you feel comfortable with).

Motherboard Mounting

Once you’re all set up, install your standoff so they align with your motherboard (green locations).

  • Use the pattern which corresponds to your motherboard

If you are using conventional standoffs, tighten your M3 screws in them to secure the motherboard.

Usign the Open Benchtable Mini is even easier, you only need 4 standoffs

  • OBT Push-pin standoff
    Push-pin standoff
  • OBT Push-pin standoff
    Push-pin standoff
  • OBT screw-in standoff
    Standoff with OBT thumbscrew

Let us know on Social Media what is your favorite mounting strategy: Push-pins only or Mixed ?

Fan mounting guide – OBT & OBT Mini

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Even if the OBT is easy to build, sometimes we just want to check how things should be worked out. Today we focus on installing fans on your Open Benchtable.

Getting ready

To mount your fan, you will need to detach four M3 screws, two brackets and optionnally two washers.

In the middle of your OBT, you fill find your brackets, they are attached with one M3 screw each. Unscrew these to get the brackets off. Washers are securely held with the PCI-E thumbscrews, unscrew the nuts and you will find your washers! You can then find two more M3 screws on the right side of your OBT or in your OBT Screw Kit.

Tip from the team: Washers are optional, they are here to prevent any friction between the two aluminum parts which can leave esthetic marks.

Installation

While fans all have the same mouting point & dimension, not all fans are created equal. Thus we outline the two common way to mount your fans to the brackets.

Case 1: Your fan can fit a screw through its mount

This is the easiest case! First, pass a M3 screw through the corner of your fan. Next, screw it the middle hole of the bracket. Finally, use your spare M3 screws to secure the brackets to the holes which are located on the edge of your Open Benchtable.

Tip from the team: The bracket has two different thicknesses on it to accomodate most configurations possible. Play with the brackets to find the best fitting position.

Case 2: Your fan can’t fit a screw through its mounts

There are two ways to tackle it. You can use third party screws and nuts or use third party extra long M3 screws.

Using screws and nuts

When using screws and nuts, pass the screws through your fan’s mounting point and bracket, then tighten the nuts. Finally, use M3 screws to attach the brackets in the holes located on the edge of the Open Benchtable.

Using extra-long M3 screws

When using extra long M3 screws, pass them through the fan’s mounting points. Next, use the middle hole of the bracket as a nut to attach the screw in it. Finally, use your OBT M3 thumbscrews to secure the brackets to the edge of your OBT.

Connect!

Finish by connecting your fan to your motherboard or fan controller.

Theses are awesomes builds by the community to inspire you.

This conclude our fan assembly guide.

Feel free to share your builds with us!

Storage mounting guide

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Even if the OBT is easy to build, sometimes we just want to check how things should be worked out. Today we focus on mounting storage on your OBT.

Getting ready

First, make sure your storage is supported on your OBT model.
The BC1 supports 2.5″ and 3.5″ drives whereas the OBT Mini support 2.5″ drives. What’s not different is that you can attach two drives on each model.

Mounting the drive

Unscrew two M3 screws of you OBT.There are located on the top right corner of the BC1. Concerning the OBT Mini, there are securely held on at the bottom right of the structure.

At the bottom of your OBT are four hard drive slots, align your drive under two of these holes and tighten the M3 screws in your drive’s threads.

Tips from the team: Attach your drive so that its connectors are on the same side that your motherboard’s SATA ports, it will make cabling easier!

A New Mini Member of the Family: OBT BC1-Mini

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The Open Benchtable family is about to add a new sibling; the OBT-Mini is taking shape and here is what you need to know about it.

About two years ago the idea to create a lightweight, versatile and portable bench bed took place with the collaboration of Streacom, HWBOT and OverClocking-TV. The following year at Computex the project got a release date; before the end of the summer. After a fast sell out of the first batch of limited Community Edition tables, we recently announced that a new batch is now shipping in silver, black and red colors.

The team is not stopping there and is working on a Mini-ITX sized version based on the successful design of the OBT (also known as BC1). Requests came from user groups in the Small Form Factor Community (SFF) for a small sized bench bed and open air solution. This triggered the creativity of the Open Benchtable design team.

This is our current vision of a Mini-ITX bench bed :

A Mini-ITX Open Benchtable – Tell Us What You Think

These are early pictures of the OBT Mini (BC1 Mini) prototype, which means it is the best time for you to give your feedback on the forum. As of now release date and pricing are unknown.

Want the Open Benchtable for your Micro-ATX, Full-size ATX and big motherboard ? The new batch in red, silver and black are shipping right now (while supply last)!

Order the Original OBT

First glamour shots of the Open Benchtable

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Today we finally got a the finished product off the production line (one of many more to come) and into the studio for some genuine glamour shots. Here are the first real photos (not renderings) of the Open Benchtable in all its glory. Enjoy!

We are taking orders!

Right now the Open Benchtable is being manufactured in limited batches. It can be ordered now for $149 USD (Community Edition – incl. Open Benchtable + traveler sleeve). The deliveries are to be expected before the end of September.

Order Now

HWBOT, OverClocking-TV and Streacom Team Up to Develop the Open Benchtable

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Introducing the Open Benchtable Project: A Community-Developed, Portable Yet Full-Featured Benchtable for Overclockers on the Move

March 24th, 2016 – HWBOT, an organization regulating international Overclocking competitions and rankings is delighted to announce its involvement in forming the Open Benchtable Project, joining with OverClocking-TV and Streacom to create an open, community-developed benchtable that towers above current offerings in terms of portability, esthetics and general design.

The first prototypes of the Open Benchtable design, manufactured by Streacom and referred to as the ‘Special HWBOT World Tour Edition’, will be used by overclockers during OC Workshops and contests throughout the World Tour, including forthcoming events in Europe and North America.
“We are excited to bring the HWBOT World Tour Edition benchtable with us on the World Tour, giving us a chance to expose our latest design to the global OC community,” commented Timothée Pineau, head of Project Development at HWBOT and VP of OverClocking-TV. “We are confident that overclockers of all levels and abilities will be impressed and appreciate the portable design and open nature of the Open Benchtable project.”

The Open Benchtable Project : Designed By Overclockers For Overclockers on the Go

The Open Benchtable project is the brain-child of several conversations with Streacom dating back to Computex 2015. Overclocking is a community driven hobby and sport where overclockers are willing to traverse the globe to get benching with like-minded people. Initially the project arose out of a desire to develop a benchtable that would be suited to the needs of an overclocker who tends to travel.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Streacom, the current prototype, the Special HWBOT World Tour Edition is a solid proof of concept. Subsequent retail models from Streacom will be branded as the BC1 benchtable. Measuring 36 cm x 27cm and with a thickness of only 8mm, the Streacom BC1 is made from a single piece of milled aluminum, making it light (only 2.5kg), portable yet rugged and ideal for carrying on the road. Despite its sleek light design the Open Benchtable is in fact extremely solid and designed to offer overclockers support for a full subzero cooled rig, including a CPU pot plus four LN2 cooled VGA cards.

bc1-025-325-assem-no-hw
Central to the design is the ability to neatly store the table’s components within its sleek aluminum base. The legs of the table, plus screws and other components reside within a cavity in the table’s main base which is easily sealed for transportation. The result is elegant, refined, light to carry and utterly effective in an overclocking session, wherever you are.

bc1-025-025-openbc1-025-025-stored

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of the Open Benchtable project is that its design is open to third party developers of additional accessories. Started by HWBOT and OverClocking-TV and later joined by Streacom, the project will allow full access to the blueprints files of the final product revision allowing third party developers to build accessories for these Open Benchtable products, modify and share their design improvements and more.

Ultimately, community enthusiasts will be able to share their own unique accessory designs via 3D files on the Open Benchtable site for others to use.

To learn more about the Open Benchtable project, visit this website: https://openbenchtable.com

Take a look also at the replay from the live unveiling of the first prototype on OCTV’s YouTube channel:

Product Availability

The prototype HWBOT World Tour Edition benchtable will be used and assessed during World Tour events around the world, garnering feedback from the world’s most seasoned overclockers, an essential step in its continued development. Details regarding the availability of the final retail BC1 benchtable will be announced by the OBT Project at a later date.

To stay up to date with news regarding BC1 availability, sign up for the OBT Project subscriber email here: OpenBenchtable.com

Streacom, An Open Benchtable Partner

With a range of products spanning active and passive cooled chassis, valve amplifiers, embedded home entertainment solutions, and other complimentary computer accessories, Streacom also offers OEM/ODM services to companies that require customized or newly developed products that spans the entire service from ‘design to delivery’.

“We have used our vast experience with aluminium cases and unique design approach to create a benchtable that excels in all the right areas,” commented Shimon Simon, Product Manager at Streacom. “Working with HWBOT and OC-TV has given us enormous insight to what overclockers and PC enthusiasts demand, helping us to create an incredibly minimal yet functional design that exudes quality.”

To learn more about Streacom visit: www.streacom.com

If you have any questions regarding this announcement or any other questions in general, please contact us at: contact@openbenchtable.com

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