dizzy4

Update: 5-24-09

Back when the Xeon Conroe chips came out I built a system using the Xeon labeled version of the e6600 proving that they could be used with standard desktop hardware. Link. The Xeon 3060 is rock solid even with the B2 stepping.

What I am doing here is repeating the conceptual build with the new LGA 1366 chips. I would also like the build to be completely silent. I don't know if it will work, but I also don't see why it would have too much trouble. If it won't work please provide good information as to why in stead of flaming the post.



Intel Xeon L5520 (60w TDP) Nehalem
ASUS Rampage II GENE LGA 1366 Intel X58 uATX
Silverstone ST45NF 450w Fanless PSU
2x or 3x OCZ Apex Series OCZSSD2-1APX120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD)
2x Gigabyte passive Radeon HD4850 --- Maybe, Or 2x HD4770 with Accelero s1
1x or 2x OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

For the CPU cooler I would just slap a Thor's Hammer or something big on there. After all, it only needs to cool 60w Actually, most are too tall to fit, but the silverstone cooler looks good and there are reports of it cooling without fans in some instances.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________

Mmansueto

Other than that PSU, I think you are fine. I would go with something a little more powerful than 450. Just my opinion....

sdla4ever

id wait for the dual socket boards, that could be insane power right there for video editing.

but other than that im drooling

__________________

Aaroman

like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131374

__________________

Jrice00

Ahh that would be incredible!

__________________
The Samsung Owners Club
Member of the OCN Diablo III Club
The AMERICAN Overclockers!

dizzy4

Very nice looking board! Unfortunately aside from being expensive it does not fit the spirit of the build. The idea was to try a Xeon with a board not geared towards server or workstation applications. Besides, the idea is to be able to use crossfire or sli.

Another thing I was thinking about is the price of the CPU itself. Is a 20w less tdp worth the extra $200? Maybe for a server, but maybe not for an end user. I think passive cooling for 80w would still be ok, but does the extra room in the L5520 chip allow for easier and cooler overclocking? Just things to think about.

Also, remember this build is hypothetical. It may become a reality when I move to Austria, but I would want to sell my other systems before then.

__________________

dizzy4

Bump, because I still want to know if others think this will work. I also have some new information for this build.

The Intel Ark system shows a Nehalem with a TDP of just 38w. L5508. The problem is that it isn't stocked anywhere yet. Unlike the E550x series the L5508 has a higer QPI link (4.8 GT/s compared to 5.86 GT/s respectively) This is even higher than the i7 920 listed on newegg.

If the RV740 turns out to have 256-bit memory I will install HD 4770s with Arctic Cooling Acceleros. The case would have to be modded to not let air out the sides, but flow upwards through the top of the case. This could also be done by having a horizontal case.

__________________

DuckieHo

Completely silent is too expensive.... just build it aiming for inaudible. Just 2-3 600RPMs fans should be quiet enough and will drastically help temps.

__________________
To answer most of your questions: (1) a fridge cannot cool a PC (2) 64-bit OS for over 3.4GB (3) If a PCIe card fits, it should work (4) Resolution, not screen size (5) If you have a question, it is not news (6) Report, not respond to Spam (7) Single-Rail/Non-Modular PSUs are not always better than Multi-Rail/Modular

DuckieHo

You might not find 600RPM fans.... you can take some 1000-1350 RPM fans and run them at 5v or 7v.

__________________
To answer most of your questions: (1) a fridge cannot cool a PC (2) 64-bit OS for over 3.4GB (3) If a PCIe card fits, it should work (4) Resolution, not screen size (5) If you have a question, it is not news (6) Report, not respond to Spam (7) Single-Rail/Non-Modular PSUs are not always better than Multi-Rail/Modular

dizzy4

That was an Idea I had. I don't need it to move much air really. However, I want to make it silent and not merely inaudible if I can.

While I was at work tonight I had some ideas on how to accomplish my goal. I have seen a lot about flashing tape which gave me the idea to make the case more or less air tight except for vents at the bottom and top. Because it will be insulated there will be no where for heat to escape save the top which is the natural flow that heat will follow. I also remembered how space heaters worked, having a heat reflective panel behind the heating element to direct heat in a certain direction. I bet I could use some maliable sheet of metal to do the trick. (aka tin foil reflective side with creases smoothed out.) With both ideas coupled together, I might be able to do it without using fans. I would also want an Inverted-ATX case so that the acceleros would dissapate heat upward without the graphics cards themselves getting in the way. If all else fails, undervolted fans on the top and/or bottom vents should do the trick.

Thanks for the continuing input.

__________________