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EvilAlchemist went shopping ....

E

EvilAlchemist

2[H]4U
Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Messages
2,732
I was looking around craiglist and was looking at some server racks ....

Found these for a great price ...$500 for both

evilracks.jpg


Here is the photo from the ad, I will get a better photo once they are cleaned up a little.

They are made by Hubbell Premise Wiring.
Each have two shelves on rails and one not on rails.
They each have front and back doors and sides.

The guy I purchased them from also threw in about 8 boxes of dell wire management stuff. I have to go threw them and see what is inside.

When i have my house build next year, all ready have a F@H / server room planned ...


 
Nice Rack! (Always wanted to say that to someone w/o getting slapped :rolleyes:)

Plant that puppy in the ground and start the foundation around it... :D

Was that a local purchase? Looks like that'll make for a really clean setup.

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Looks like they were well worth the trip. Any fans built in?

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If anyone has Evil on their threat list they better watch out, he buys in batches....... he will want new toys to go in the racks :p

 
Kendrak said:
If anyone has Evil on their threat list they better watch out, he buys in batches....... he will want new toys to go in the racks :p
Click to expand...

LOL ... 99% of the time true, but not this time.

These are for when I get my house built and moved in ...ETA 8/2009.

But I might start buying some 4U cases and switches to prepare ..

Gotta do some more research ... this area is new to me ...


 
nomad8u said:
Is this karma or what...
Click to expand...

LOL .. yeah, i saw those...Those are more switch then I need. Newegg has some linksys rack mount 16 ports for $64.00.

The big challenge now is planning.

I see two options for my servers

1) Dual Core + GUP2
2) Quad Cores + SMP

It all depends on what is better and what is going to be around then.
I also have to consider that my 8 True's won't fit in 4U cases ..
(not a major concern since new 45mn CPU don't require that much cooling anymore)
(Will not overclock as much on new CPU as I did on q6600's)

The cost and power usage of either options is about the same.
I could get E2140 / E2160 / E2180 or equivalent too keep power usage down and gpu fold .

Only time will tell which client is going to be better and such.
If anyone here has experience or knowledge on rack mount setups .. shoot me a pm .. have several questions .


 
EvilAlchemist said:
1) Dual Core + GUP2

Click to expand...

Is that Forrest GUP2? Fold Forrest...Fold... :p

I'm not knowledgeable about rack mount stuff, and don't know the size of the 4U cases, but I'm running a GO Q6600 @ 3.1 pushing 3.875 on VCore using an Enzotech Ultra X. I picked those up for cooling when I first went Dual Core as the towers wouldn't fit in the cases I was using plus I wanted cooling for the VRMs. My GO runs at under 52 on the hottest core running 2 Notfred VM's @ about 90-95% CPU usage. Xigmatek has a downdraft cooler like the Enzo that is what I will probably look at if I need another for a case app where a True won't fit. For a not too aggressive OC it might do what you need.
I don't like their pushpin mounts, but they do have a solid mount for them.

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A 4U cause is 7" tall .....the TRUE required 7.3" -7.4" clearance i think (171MM)

Here is what I am planning on buying for these servers.

Thermalright AXP-140

Thermalright_Cooler_140.jpg


Performance is expected near Ultra-120 eXtreme levels.
It has some huge heatpipes on it
Since it is not released yet, have to wait and see.

It will be perfect for HTPC cases as well.

 
That's one SWEET looking heatsink. TR makes great heatsinks for sure. Looking forward to the build log when you get around to knocking all this together...

Good luck and enjoy!

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You could use 5u's there 8.75 inches tall. Anyways nice rack, I have a small 24u audio rack with 1 switch and 1 server. I will have more on the way soon.
 
Nice gear, Alchemist!

make sure you have a thread about your new home and server/folding room.
 
So you got them home okay I see...... Was a little concerned when you said one was about to fall out of your truck:p

Nice stuff man.... look forward to seeing what you wind up doing with them.

Fold On!!

 
digital_exhaust said:
...... Was a little concerned when you said one was about to fall out of your truck:p
Click to expand...

LOL .. that was scary.
It was a pain in the butt to get those to my dad's house for storage.

I only has two tie-downs ... and since I couldn't put my truck's tail gate up ... they kept sliding back .... one got about 35% off .... had to keep stopping to push it back on ...

Once I got on the interstate, all was good. City traffic just kept making them move around .. from stopping and starting.

Since my dad's house and where I am planning on building a house are only about 4 miles apart ... I can move one at a time then and avoid this problem ....


 
jtg1993 said:
You could use 5u's there 8.75 inches tall. Anyways nice rack, I have a small 24u audio rack with 1 switch and 1 server. I will have more on the way soon.
Click to expand...

I thought about that but 5U are a little harder to come by / not as many options.
Plus, they are a little more expensive.

I think I can go with 4U ... sell my TRUE's (almost sure [H] members will want them) and pickup the new low profile HS.

 
At this point, I am stuck ... need the advice of the team.

Here are my options:

1) Buy Rackmount cases and rails for each boxen.
--(About $150 each + New heatsinks since TRUE's will not fit)

2) Buy Rackmount Shelves - & have no case
--(About 80 each per shelf )

3) Buy Rackmount Shelves - & use existing cases
--(About 80 each per shelf + 40 per case -> have 6 cases now)

The advantage to method "3" is a cleaner look inside the racks vs no case option.

[Each Boxen internal wires would be in case and managed & outside wire easier to manage]

From a rough guess, I think I can fit two boxen per shelf, with 3 levels per rack

Total Boxen that would fit would be 12 [ Currently have 6 ]

Depending on how deep the racks are, it may be possible to have 3 per shelf (18 total).. will have to measure again.

Option 2 is also an idea but would require more shelves driving up costs -> but still cheaper then option 1.

Option 1 would by far look the best but cost the most.

Thought .. help .... plz

 
I vote for option 2. Naked boxen are sexy. Two racks with three shelves each full of naked boxen would be like having live porn shows in your house 24/7. Who in their right mind would pass that up?
 
Couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood and a box of wood screws +existing cases for the cheapo ghetto win. Cut boards to fit in rack inside the rails, screws through rail holes to hold shelves, put boxen on shelves. Done. If you are felling froggy I guess you could grab a rattle can of paint and spray the shelves for a nicer appearance.

 
Just got home off a 13 hr shift, so I may be a little groggy. If this makes no sense, file appropriately....

Either option 2 or 3 would be my choice. You already have 6 cases, so set those up and see how well they cool like that. You may very well find that if you're running GPU clients with OC video cards, it may be easier to cool them nekkid on the shelves.

I'm going to be needing a heat sink soon, so I'm waiting for your update on that sexy looking TR... :D

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You know me, naked boxen, and the plywood is not a bad idea either. The less money you spend on non essential (case, shelves, and other support) the more you can spend on CPUs AND GPUs.
Dont get me wrong that stuff can be important, but a case does not crunch WU.
 
I use it mainly for fire protection. Metal case being less likely to catch fire. Not saying it can't still happen, but if sparks start flying at least it has something to hit before catching my carpet or walls on fire. I hope... that is my logic, if that is logic?

 
Sunin said:
I use it mainly for fire protection. Metal case being less likely to catch fire. Not saying it can't still happen, but if sparks start flying at least it has something to hit before catching my carpet or walls on fire. I hope... that is my logic, if that is logic?

Click to expand...

A layer of tinfoil on the cardboard or plywood will do the same thing ;) However, a properly setup system isn't supposed to catch fire (only the psu is likely so put it a bit out of harm's way and preferably not on any wood/cardboard.

Buying rackmount cases is a waste but if you look around, you may be able to buy old shit servers then gut it for the cases. However, since cases doesn't fold, money is better spent just for the material necessary to build shelves then invest the rest on stuff which can fold (extra brownie points if it can also fold clothes :p).

Personnally, I already wondered about buying a server enclosure or relay frame but my rational side told me that for the price it cost for this lifeless support, I can get more hardware to fold so I did it semi-ghetto way :

DSCF0065.jpg

DSCF0066.jpg

 
What is the smallest rackmount case you can go with and still use the new TR heatsinks and a GPU (something akin to the 8800 or 9800)?

Can all of this fit inside a 2U case? or would you have to go with a 3U or 4U case?

 
capreppy said:
What is the smallest rackmount case you can go with and still use the new TR heatsinks and a GPU (something akin to the 8800 or 9800)?

Can all of this fit inside a 2U case? or would you have to go with a 3U or 4U case?

Click to expand...

3u will work because they have the pci is standing up like in a normal pc, and 2u would work if you got a pcie 16x riser card because in 2u there on a 90 degree angle, but in the 2u you will probably run into cooling issues, unless you put some small high cfm fans in but then that would be loud.
 
Assuming standard 19u racks...
4u = UPS
1u = switch
8x 2u = Q6600
4x 4u = E2180 + GPU of choice

Just remember, if you don't duct A/C to the racks (this is generally done from the floor in a "real" data center) you will have to remove the front doors to get air into the systems. If are not also venting heated air from the top you should remove the rear doors as well (unless they are already vented, then you may be ok with just some super high RPM exhaust fans).

 
you should be able to get shelves for a LOT less than $80... i buy them locally for like $20 IIRC...

here are some for $25:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Space-Metal-R...ryZ23789QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

jtg1993 said:
3u will work because they have the pci is standing up like in a normal pc, and 2u would work if you got a pcie 16x riser card because in 2u there on a 90 degree angle, but in the 2u you will probably run into cooling issues, unless you put some small high cfm fans in but then that would be loud.
Click to expand...

some 3U cases still use risers... but there are some available without...

personally i would just build the machines on the rack shelf... we dont need no stinkin cases!

also rackmount cases get really expensive really quick... believe me i know this very well lol

ive got tons of them in my little u-store place... from when i had a huge home farm... 4x 2U SGI cases, 4x 4U sgi cases... a bunch of no-name 4U cases etc... but $$$ is short, and not living in a house makes running a home farm pretty impossible here in miami with the heat... a few years ago i had like 16 computers rackmounted in 2 racks... that was one hell of a power bill lol... but no more extra cash = work farms lol...

PM me if your interested in a procurve, we might be able to work something out...
 
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I went a measures it today, and my racks are 24 inches deep.
So i think these shelves will work out great.

Just remember, if you don't duct A/C to the racks (this is generally done from the floor in a "real" data center) you will have to remove the front doors to get air into the systems. If are not also venting heated air from the top you should remove the rear doors as well (unless they are already vented, then you may be ok with just some super high RPM exhaust fans).
Click to expand...

The server room will be a semi small room with a seperate air conditioner.
The side of the racks have vents at the top and bottom.

I will planning on using something like this. (High-performance 400CFM)
(Wish I could find it cheaper bit it is a rack part and those are always high)
10484.jpg

http://www.twacomm.com/catalog/model_HPWRFAN.htm?sid=311EDB05D8CBEFBB9948AB65566D71EA

I may just have to build something like this The frame work to house them would be easy build

78 CFM AC FAN

60 CFM AC FAN

Not Sure How much CFM I would need to cool those racks.
 
Rather than going with AC fans I would suggest standard high RPM case fans like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185054

With one of these adapters:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5...l_Fan_Controller_w_ACDC_Adapter_IXA-FCEX.html
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6...10v_AC_to_12v_DC_Converter_w_4-Pin_Molex.html

This lets you run all the fans off a single outlet, and with the first adapter you even get a controller.

... I'm not sure if this is considered against the rules (probably...) but I do have 4 of the Ultra Kaze I would be willing to let go for a steal.

 
drgnfang said:
Rather than going with AC fans I would suggest standard high RPM case fans like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185054

With one of these adapters:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5...l_Fan_Controller_w_ACDC_Adapter_IXA-FCEX.html
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6...10v_AC_to_12v_DC_Converter_w_4-Pin_Molex.html

This lets you run all the fans off a single outlet, and with the first adapter you even get a controller.
Click to expand...

LOL .. i was looking for something like that .. but had no luck .. good catch .....

Those fans have some kick-#$% CFM ... that is really cool.
Think 4 of those can handle the each rack ...??

And yes, send me a pm in ref to the fans and we will try and work something out ..
(We are here to help fellow folders .. nothing wrong with that... as fas as i have ever seen)
 
Well, four of them combined is ~ 530 CFM... So they will move the air.

It looks like the shelves you picked have vent holes, that's good... If the racks vent holes can bring in enough fresh air you should be good. Depending on how "handy" you are, you might mod the bottom of the racks, add some angled fans to each side pulling in fresh air and blowing it up. That would take up some space though... A smaller mod would be to set the racks up on a platform and have ducting under it. Have them pull air from the sides (2 each) into another set of 4 fans... Standard dryer ducting should work.

Of course, I could be way over-engineering for your needs :)

PM forth-coming

 
What material should i out between the motherboards and the shelves.

From this picture it looks like some sort of foam ...

I also so this stuff at wal-mart . it was next to the dishes .. it was a rubber-like material with a lot of holes .... i think you put it under stuff to not slide or something ...

Ideas?

 
That is a very neat and orderly naked rack... Only a very twisted mind would keep it that neat...

The pink stuff looks like the foam that comes with motherboards (though most are using gray now I think).

The wal-mart stuff... something like these http://www.organize.com/kitchen-drawer-shelf-liners-contact-grip-liners.html ? If so, I have it in my bathroom drawers. Slightly sticky to the touch, but not adhesive, and with a slight cushion to it... As long as it is non-conductive (which it should be), and can take a bit of heat... Should work ok *shrug*



edit: while digging for the above link I also found some "oven liners" - might work better with the heat the mobo will kick out around the CPU and NB...
 
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