Gaming Firetruck Roars to Life: Ultimate Mobile PC Rig
Weeks of relentless effort have culminated in the unveiling of what might be the most audacious and coolest vehicle upgrade ever conceived: a fully-fledged gaming firetruck. What began as a seemingly impossible dream has transformed into a tangible, high-performance mobile gaming station, ready to bring the ultimate gaming experience to events like Whale Land. While the initial glimpses might have shown a polished future, the reality was a race against time, pushing the team to their limits.
The monumental task was made possible through the generous sponsorship of AMD, whose cutting-edge gaming CPUs and GPUs form the heart of this extraordinary machine. This collaboration allowed the team to outfit the firetruck with top-tier components, ensuring a powerful and future-proof gaming setup.
The Ultimate 4v4 Gaming Setup
At the core of the firetruck’s entertainment system lies a meticulously crafted 4v4 gaming setup. The once plain stainless steel interior has been revitalized with Dbrand vinyl, creating a striking two-tone aesthetic. This visual flair is amplified by RGB strips behind each of the LG QED Evo AI 50-inch TVs, with one side glowing red and the other blue, clearly delineating each gaming station and its associated PC and controllers. These 120Hz-capable TVs, while not supporting 4K at that refresh rate, offer a choice between 4K 60Hz or 1080p 120Hz, with the team opting for the former for its visual fidelity in the chosen games.
Each station is equipped with custom 3D-printed mounts for PowerA docks, accommodating a total of eight Xbox controllers. The PCs themselves are built around AMD’s latest technology. The Ryzen 5 9600X CPU, featuring six Zen 5 cores, PCIe Gen 5 support, and DDR5 memory, provides ample processing power. Its AM5 socket ensures future upgradeability, a key consideration for long-term viability. Paired with an Asus Tough Gaming B850ME Wi-Fi 3 motherboard, the system boasts robust power delivery and convenient features like a PCIe release latch. Memory comes in the form of G.Skill 32GB of 6000 MT/s CL28 RAM, and storage is handled by a 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD. Cooling is managed by the compact yet effective Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, fitting neatly within the ASUS P201 chassis, a surprisingly spacious case for its size. Powering it all is a Seasonic Focus PX 850 power supply.
The graphics power is delivered by the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT. While AMD sponsored the build, the team opted for this GPU not just for its raw performance but for its exceptional performance-per-watt. This efficiency is crucial for the firetruck’s stationary deployment, which relies on battery power. With 16GB of VRAM, third-generation ray tracing accelerators, AI acceleration for FSR 4, and AMD’s suite of gaming features like Anti-Lag and a next-generation video encoder, the RX 7900 XT offers a compelling blend of power and efficiency.
Immersive Audio and Visuals
The auditory experience is equally impressive. After initial troubleshooting of crackling issues, which were traced back to software clipping, the team installed a robust speaker system. The outdoor-rated speakers, mounted on podiums, are designed to project sound loudly enough to draw a crowd from blocks away. The system’s sound quality was surprisingly good, even when tested on a concrete slab between buildings.
For a truly cinematic experience, the firetruck features the Nebula X1 Pro outdoor projector. This all-in-one unit boasts built-in 7.1.4 audio, eliminating the need for separate sound systems. Despite facing a day of rain, the team managed to deploy the projector with its massive 200-inch inflatable screen, throwing an impressive 3500-lumen image. The projector’s ability to function even in less-than-ideal weather conditions highlights its robust design.
Powering the Beast: Battery and Networking
A significant challenge was powering the entire setup, especially during stationary use. The solution lies in a dual-battery system featuring two Jackery Explorer 5000 units, capable of outputting up to 7200 watts collectively. These units can power the entire firetruck for hours on battery alone, with AC charging passing through but not simultaneously charging and powering at full capacity. This battery-centric approach ensures that the gaming rigs, lighting, and other systems can operate independently of external power sources.
Networking is streamlined with a Ubiquiti 2.5 gigabit PoE switch and a Wi-Fi access point, ensuring reliable connectivity between the two internal PCs and broadcasting Wi-Fi around the truck. The team also integrated a USB to DMX interface to control an elaborate lighting system, featuring DMX-controlled moving lights, prisms, and gobo effects, programmed using QLC+ software. The control system is further enhanced by a virtual console on a touchscreen, offering direct manipulation of all lighting elements.
Unique Touches and Surprises
Beyond the core technology, the firetruck boasts several unique features. A wacky inflatable tube man, a last-minute addition, injects a dose of whimsical entertainment. The DJ booth, powered by a MiniSFX, integrates seamlessly with the lighting system, with original levers now controlling both the pumps and the light shows, offering the best of both worlds. For relaxation, a hammock was even set up, albeit a rather wet one during a rain shower, adding to the unconventional charm of the mobile entertainment hub.
The project, a fulfillment of an April Fools’ joke from 10 months prior, stands as a testament to creative engineering and a passion for gaming. The successful deployment at an event like Smash Champs, despite the challenging weather, proved the resilience and capability of this extraordinary gaming firetruck. It’s a mobile command center for fun, a testament to what can be achieved when imagination meets cutting-edge technology, all made possible with the support of AMD.
Specs & Key Features
- CPUs: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (6 Zen 5 cores, PCIe Gen 5, DDR5 support)
- Motherboard: Asus Tough Gaming B850ME Wi-Fi 3
- Memory: G.Skill 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 6000 MT/s CL28
- Storage: 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD
- CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a-AM5
- Chassis: ASUS P201
- Power Supply: Seasonic Focus PX 850
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20GB GDDR6)
- Displays: 2x LG QED Evo AI 50-inch TVs (4K 60Hz or 1080p 120Hz)
- Projector: Nebula X1 Pro Outdoor Projector (3500 Lumens)
- Projector Screen: 200-inch inflatable screen
- Audio: Integrated 7.1.4 audio in projector, multiple outdoor-rated speakers
- Networking: Ubiquiti 2.5GbE PoE Switch, Wi-Fi Access Point
- Lighting Control: QLC+ software, USB to DMX interface, various DMX lights
- Power Solution: 2x Jackery Explorer 5000 (7200W total output capacity)
- Peripherals: 8x Xbox Controllers with PowerA docks, Popcorn Machine
- Special Features: Dbrand vinyl wrap, custom 3D printed parts, wacky inflatable tube man, integrated DJ booth
Who Should Care?
This gaming firetruck is a dream come true for PC gaming enthusiasts, event organizers, and anyone looking to push the boundaries of mobile entertainment. Its dual-PC setup is perfect for LAN parties or competitive gaming sessions on the go. The high-quality displays, powerful AMD components, and immersive audio-visual setup make it ideal for showcasing games, hosting tournaments, or simply providing an unforgettable entertainment experience at festivals, corporate events, or private gatherings. The robust battery power solution also makes it a viable option for off-grid events.
Availability and Pricing
As this is a custom-built project, specific pricing details for the entire conversion are not provided. However, the core gaming components, including AMD CPUs and GPUs, are available through standard retail channels. The unique integration of professional audio-visual equipment, power solutions, and custom fabrication represents a significant investment, placing this build in the realm of high-end custom projects rather than a commercially available product.
Source: We Built the ULTIMATE Gaming Firetruck (YouTube)
