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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.
Drop-downs for organizational purposes.
*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.
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!
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.

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.
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.

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)
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)
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
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.