[Simmons572]

Hello OCN! I never anticipated this much attention for my initial question (see below), but I am sure this is going to turn into a headache fun project, and great learning experience.

Spoiler: Original Post below the cut.

As of right now, I have my heart set on a C1100, but for fun, I would like to move its hardware into a tower case.

I'm really after a near silent, powerful host with the ability to add more HDD's as needed. What form factor is that motherboard? Also, what socket are the processors?

I would like to replace the stock passive heatsinks with standard tower sinks, such as the Noctua U14s. Would that swap be feasible, given I were able to move the system into a different case?

Also, given that the 1U case is designed the way it is, I know that the componants have adequate airflow in its stock configuration. If moved to a different case, should I be concerned about any non-cpu componants overheating?

I am considering moving this into a Fractal Design Define XL v2, if the mobo form factor allows. Any suggestions of another decent tower case that would provide optimal airflow for a mobo of this size?

I know this sounds silly, but this is something I really am intrigued by, and haven't really seen anybody do yet.

Thanks in advaced!

Drop-downs for organizational purposes.

Spoiler: Background Explanation

I am sure you are all wondering the same thing, why? It would be a lot easier to just build a rack mount system and lock it in a closet.

These little 1U machines are loud. Very loud. Unless you have noise dampening foam for your server room, you will hear that machine down the hall.

Besides, a rack mount system is easy. Too easy. And we can't have that.

Spoiler: Parts List and Prices

Core Components

Server- C1100 (x2) L5520 48GB RAM, $540
Case- Fractal Design Define XL R2 Titanium Grey, $80
PSU- SeaSonic G-750, $110
CPU Heatsinks- (x2) Hyper 212 Evo- $35 each

Replacement CPUs- (x2) Xeon X5677, $50 each
Replacement Heatsink Standoffs - M3 PCB Standoff Assortment Kit, $6

Storage

HDD, Storage- x2 2TB-
--Seagate ST2000DM001, $0 (gift)
--Seagate STBV2000100, $70

SSD, OS- x2 60GB SSDs, RAID 1, $70 (total)
SSD, VM- Samsung 840 Evo, 250 GB, $110

Cooling

Fan Controller- NZXT Sentry Mix 2, $30
Case Fan- x2 Delta Electronics AFB1212SH, $22 (total)
Case Fan- x3 Fractal Design Silent Series R2 140mm, $0 (included with Define XL R2)
Case Fan- Corsair AF140L, $0 (included with Corsair Air 540)

Connectors/Adapters

x2 6" PCI-E power to 8 pin EPS adapters, $10 (total)
33cm 24 pin extension, $6
PWM Splitter Cable, $6
USB 3.0 F to USB 2.0 M adapter, $10

Extra Items

Replacement Dell C1100 Mobo, $60
Mountain Mods 120mm fan Mount, $12
RAID Card- Dell 85M9R SAS card, (Gift)

Spoiler: Update List

15June14- Purchased the C1100!
24June14- She's here~
25June14- First test boot
26June14- Initial Disassembly
27June14- Case test in the Air 540
12July14- Front panel header, first test
12July14- HDD, SSDs, and an OS
14July14- OS install
02Aug14- Fractal Design Define XL R2 overview
02Aug14- Seagate Expansion External Drive Disassembly
26Aug14- Killed the original motherboard
13Sep14- Installing the 212 Evo's
15Sep14- Installing the mobo and case fans
15Sep14- Wiring the board and data connections

5May16 - Teardown and Preparations for Upgrades
5May16 - Testing the new Standoffs and Reassembly

*DISCLAIMER*
Though english is my first, and only language, I have a rough time gathering my thoughts and putting them into coherent sentences. If anybody notices any jarring words, sentences, or blatant mispellings, please PM me.

This is my first attempt at a build log. If everything goes as planned, I anticipate ths thread turning into a guide, so I would like the best possible reading experience for the OCN community.

 

[Sean Webster]

Oh, so this is what you posted in my thread lol

Quote:

As of right now, I have my heart set on a C1100, but for fun, I would like to move its hardware into a tower case.

I'm really after a near silent, powerful host with the ability to add more HDD's as needed.

What are you going to be using it for? Because while this C1100 is nice and all, unless you are going to be running a lot of VMs or a HUGE HDD setup, you may want to look into other options...but the amount of RAM and cores is very tempting lol. One thing to note is that it only has 1 PCIe slot.

Quote:

What form factor is that motherboard? Also, what socket are the processors?

Its an E-ATX board I believe...i am not sure exactly, that is just what i have read from a google search. The link is currently down but it may be up later: http://forums.servethehome.com/index.html?threads/my-successful-move-of-the-dell-c1100-to-a-tower-case-front-panel-pinout-question.3101/

It seems the only issue is figuring out the pinout for the front panel header.

Socket 1366 CPUs

Quote:

I would like to replace the stock passive heatsinks with standard tower sinks, such as the Noctua U14s. Would that swap be feasible, given I were able to move the system into a different case?

That would be feasible. idk if clearances would allow it with those coolers.

Quote:

Also, given that the 1U case is designed the way it is, I know that the componants have adequate airflow in its stock configuration. If moved to a different case, should I be concerned about any non-cpu componants overheating?

I'd have as much airflow pointed at the mobo as possible. Maybe just have a fan dedicated to blowing on it.

Quote:

I am considering moving this into a Fractal Design Define XL v2, if the mobo form factor allows. Any suggestions of another decent tower case that would provide optimal airflow for a mobo of this size?

I know this sounds silly, but this is something I really am intrigued by, and haven't really seen anybody do yet.

I need to do it myself, these fans in the 1U case are starting to annoy me lol.

 

[Simmons572]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

Oh, so this is what you posted in my thread

lol

Yeah.. I think my forum newb is showing...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

What are you going to be using it for? Because while this C1100 is nice and all, unless you are going to be running a lot of VMs or a HUGE HDD setup, you may want to look into other options...but the amount of RAM and cores is very tempting lol. One thing to note is that it only has 1 PCIe slot.

As of right now it is definitely overkill for what I need. I have -2 experience with VM, but after many recomendations from OCN users, I figured I'd give it a shot.
As for what I want to do with it (taken from one of my other threads):

• Central media server, potentially linked to foobar and iTunes
• A couple network drives, possibly a partitioned RAID array
• Ability to setup and easily manage game servers (we are building a custom minecraft modpack, so the ability to remove and add files is essential)
• Personal Cloud Storage (dropbox makes me leary and I don't want to pay for a service)
• Ability to remote into the servers from the WAN

The main reason I am looking at this machine specifically, I am negotiating with a seller who is willing to sell the 72GB x5650 version for ~$600. As I learn what I can do with VM, I want a platform that I know will never be hurting on resources. Plus, I have a bunch of tax money that I am willing to burn.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

Its an E-ATX board I believe...i am not sure exactly, that is just what i have read from a google search. The link is currently down but it may be up later: http://forums.servethehome.com/index.html?threads/my-successful-move-of-the-dell-c1100-to-a-tower-case-front-panel-pinout-question.3101/

It seems the only issue is figuring out the pinout for the front panel header. Socket 1366 CPUs.

I hope it comes back up soon.. If that is the case, a build log may be in order if I decide to really go through with this case swap. Some others will definitely benefit from that info.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

That would be feasible. idk if clearances would allow it with those coolers.

In all reality, I just want a decent heat sink with minimum noise. Hell, a 212 evo could work, but I will have to double check those clearances after I settle on the server.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

I'd have as much airflow pointed at the mobo as possible. Maybe just have a fan dedicated to blowing on it.

I need to do it myself, these fans in the 1U case are starting to annoy me lol.

That can definitely be arranged. Maybe a different case, but we'll have to see.
As well as those delta fans perform, I think they'd have better use in another application. A non-computer-in-the-apartment application.

Though quick question for you while you are here, what VM solution do you use in your machine, and would it be a good solution for a complete beginner?

Thanks for the insight. I know that the machine is extremely overkill for anything I could do with it (immediately), but if everything goes as planned, I can easily see myself filling an array like your Terrorbyte v2, as well as plenty of other applications.

EDIT: Noticed a lot of typos and bad wordings.

 

[Simmons572]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

One thing to note is that it only has 1 PCIe slot.

I just noticed this comment. I was fine with that until I noticed that their are only 2 usable NICs. I really was hoping for a Quad LACP connection, which won't be possible once I eventually break down and get a RAID card.

Well shackalackadingdong (self censorship ftw).

Does anybody have any other solutions that could work? In all honesty, I don't want to pass on a deal this good if I don't have to, but the quad LACP was one of the biggest parts of this (for me anyways).

EDIT: I am starting to realize how silly of a demand this this. If there is a way to mke it work, I would be overjoyed, but I am willing to settle on Dual LACP. I was just looking at the R610, which does have the quad built in, but the form factor on that board is so odd, I doubt I would be able to do a case swap.

 

[tycoonbob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmons572

I just noticed this comment. I was fine with that until I noticed that their are only 2 usable NICs. I really was hoping for a Quad LACP connection, which won't be possible once I eventually break down and get a RAID card.

Well shackalackadingdong (self censorship ftw).

Does anybody have any other solutions that could work? In all honesty, I don't want to pass on a deal this good if I don't have to, but the quad LACP was one of the biggest parts of this (for me anyways).

EDIT: I am starting to realize how silly of a demand this this. If there is a way to mke it work, I would be overjoyed, but I am willing to settle on Dual LACP. I was just looking at the R610, which does have the quad built in, but the form factor on that board is so odd, I doubt I would be able to do a case swap.

I have 2 R610's that I run at home, and I love them (quad NICs, dual PCIe) but the board is specially designed to fit in the chassis so a case swap would be a custom job.

Anyway, the C1100 also has a mezzanine slot. Put a RAID controller in the mezz slot, and put a quad gigabit NIC card in the PCIe slot. Problem solved. The ideal mezz card for this would be:
Dell 85M9R (dual SAS port -- 8 drives -- original OEM mezz card for Dell C1100 and C2100) - ~$200-250 or so, used.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Dell-PowerEdge-C2100-C1100-Mezzanine-SAS-RAID-Controller-85M9R-/131147448647?pt=US_Server_Disk_Controllers_RAID_Cards&hash=item1e88ff4147

Or you could get a Dell Y8Y69, which is much cheaper and only supports RAIDs 0, 1, 10, and JBOD. This has an older SoC, but RAID 10 between 4 drives (only 4 drive bays available) would be what I would do anyway. The 85M9R is nicer, but costs more.

This would free up your PCIe slot for a quad gigabit NIC card.

 

[Simmons572]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycoonbob

I have 2 R610's that I run at home, and I love them (quad NICs, dual PCIe) but the board is specially designed to fit in the chassis so a case swap would be a custom job.

Anyway, the C1100 also has a mezzanine slot. Put a RAID controller in the mezz slot, and put a quad gigabit NIC card in the PCIe slot. Problem solved. The ideal mezz card for this would be:
Dell 85M9R (dual SAS port -- 8 drives -- original OEM mezz card for Dell C1100 and C2100) - ~$200-250 or so, used.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Dell-PowerEdge-C2100-C1100-Mezzanine-SAS-RAID-Controller-85M9R-/131147448647?pt=US_Server_Disk_Controllers_RAID_Cards&hash=item1e88ff4147

Or you could get a Dell Y8Y69, which is much cheaper and only supports RAIDs 0, 1, 10, and JBOD. This has an older SoC, but RAID 10 between 4 drives (only 4 drive bays available) would be what I would do anyway. The 85M9R is nicer, but costs more.

This would free up your PCIe slot for a quad gigabit NIC card.

I was looking at that R610, and I was thinking the same thing.
That solution would be perfect. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[tycoonbob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmons572

I was looking at that R610, and I was thinking the same thing.
That solution would be perfect. Thank you for the suggestion!

Good luck.

 

[evilminist]

Subbed! Especially if you are planning on a case swap. I've been looking to do this for a while too...but I haven't had the time to sit down and do good research into this.

Good luck!

 

[Simmons572]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilminist

Subbed! Especially if you are planning on a case swap. I've been looking to do this for a while too...but I haven't had the time to sit down and do good research into this.

Good luck!

Thank you much!

I am not 100% sure how long it will take for me to get this build on a roll, so please bear with me. I will update the title in a bit.

 

[Sean Webster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmons572

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilminist

Subbed! Especially if you are planning on a case swap. I've been looking to do this for a while too...but I haven't had the time to sit down and do good research into this.

Good luck!

Thank you much!

I am not 100% sure how long it will take for me to get this build on a roll, so please bear with me. I will update the title in a bit.

Can't wait, I may follow suit after if you get a C1100 as I need to get rid of all the noise mine makes.

 

[Simmons572]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

Can't wait, I may follow suit after if you get a C1100 as I need to get rid of all the noise mine makes.

Oh man, Sean Webster is expecting greatness

Breathe simmons...

 

[xNovax]

If you get the C1100 to work in a case other than the standard case I will look up to you as a god. If it works I will follow suit and move my C1100.

 

[Simmons572]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xNovax

If you get the C1100 to work in a case other than the standard case I will look up to you as a god. If it works I will follow suit and move my C1100.

Oh man. I will do what I can!

 

[Sean Webster]

haha, the pressure is on! I was afraid to try it because I thought it was a non ATX board...but i didnt look into it until you posted this thread. I'll give it a go myself if I get the free time before you.

 

[xNovax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

haha, the pressure is on! I was afraid to try it because I thought it was a non ATX board...but i didnt look into it until you posted this thread. I'll give it a go myself if I get the free time before you.

I'm just worried to mess around with the front panel connectors.

 

[Simmons572]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

haha, the pressure is on! I was afraid to try it because I thought it was a non ATX board...but i didnt look into it until you posted this thread. I'll give it a go myself if I get the free time before you.

You will probably get to it before me, but that is life I suppose

I think I am going to settle on my purchase this evening. I have to negotiate with the seller a bit more, but I think I'm just about ready. Thanks @tycoonbob for the tips!
Quote:

Originally Posted by xNovax

I'm just worried to mess around with the front panel connectors.

My plan is to go through it with a multimeter and figure out what everything is doing. I will try to do a decent photo log while I'm going through it.

 

[Simmons572]

I made the plunge! Purchased the C1100 last night!

Spoiler: Achievement: C1100 get!

Once she arrives, you guys will be the first to hear about it.

 

[Sean Webster]

nice, so you may have it done faster than me lol.

 

[Simmons572]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

nice, so you may have it done faster than me lol.

There are a few complications on my end regarding this machine, so it may be over a week before I can even try it out. My plan of action right now is to rip the motherboard out of my girlfriend's 400r and see how the alignment looks.

 

[Sean Webster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmons572

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Webster

nice, so you may have it done faster than me lol.

There are a few complications on my end regarding this machine, so it may be over a week before I can even try it out. My plan of action right now is to rip the motherboard out of my girlfriend's 400r and see how the alignment looks.

I'm on vacation all this week and starting a new job the following week and have a lot of product reviews to write...I'm pretty sure you got a good head start on me haha.

I can't wait to see update pics.