[ecpeters]

I'm looking into whether this is worth the money ... to spree for these types of cases. I have a empty poweredge dell half rack... does anyone have experience with these cases?

http://www.idotpc.com/TheStore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=717

cheapest I'm seeing is $199 , or double a regular 4U case.

I want to build a quiet system for running some programs in the background.. serve up Git, etc... coupled with a NVIDIA or ATI GPU... seems m-itx is double the price all around. Should I just buy a 4U and expand that system as my needs grow?

 

[max302]

I'm not sure I understand your question. Is the Poweredge a server (I assume it is) or a rack enclosure? And is it really half rack, with rackmount ears 9.5 inches wide?

I failed to see why you are going with rackmount if your objective is to build something silent. Generally, rackmount cases have little provisions for mounting silent fans, because even 4Us have smaller exhaust fans out the back. That's generally speaking though, there might be something out there with 120mm exhaust fans, but I doubt it.

If you already have a rack enclosure, definitely get a standard 4U case. Heck, if you are willing to stand the noise, get a 2U or a 3U if you want to save some rack real estate. Anything fits in an ATX 4U, even most extreme air coolers, so you'll save on the cost of the case and be able to either keep that money or put it in hardware, now if you so desire or later when you need it. MITX cases also come in 1U, and I'm pretty sure some of those can take a graphics card with a riser. It's gonna be noisy however.

If you don't already have a rack enclosure, you might want to check this out: http://wiki.eth0.nl/index.php/LackRack

 

[ecpeters]

This is the exact rack, to clear things up.

http://www.dell.com/support/Manuals/us/en/04/Product/poweredge-2410

24U Poweredge Dell Rack 2410

I'm thinking I'll just go with a 4U case .. and when the time comes I can consolidate to mini ITX based systems. As of now, I have many open spaces to play with.. just wanted to hear others thoughts who've been here before planning their first rack installs.

 

[max302]

24U is a LOT of rackspace for a home setup. Are you really gonna cram 6x 4U systems in there? Let alone more of smaller footprint servers and / or random rackmount stuff.

Personally, I have a 48U, and I can't see myself using more than 24U. So far I have something like 14U taken up, and that's with a rackmount UPS, a switch, a patch panel, two servers including one 4U drive enclosure, a shelf and some cable management stuff.

If you want a custom build, go 4U. You've got plenty of space to expand with standard rack gear, IMO the half rack stuff really isn't worth it unless you already have the hardware to fill it up. Considering the price of used server gear, you might end up ditching the idea of using matx components in favor of more robust server stuff, if you decided to accept the noise compromise.

 

[ecpeters]

Quote:

Originally Posted by max302

24U is a LOT of rackspace for a home setup. Are you really gonna cram 6x 4U systems in there? Let alone more of smaller footprint servers and / or random rackmount stuff.

Personally, I have a 48U, and I can't see myself using more than 24U. So far I have something like 14U taken up, and that's with a rackmount UPS, a switch, a patch panel, two servers including one 4U drive enclosure, a shelf and some cable management stuff.

If you want a custom build, go 4U. You've got plenty of space to expand with standard rack gear, IMO the half rack stuff really isn't worth it unless you already have the hardware to fill it up. Considering the price of used server gear, you might end up ditching the idea of using matx components in favor of more robust server stuff, if you decided to accept the noise compromise.

Thanks, I just wanted to hear some with racking experience before I spend another buck.. Okay going with a 4U case.. just trying to located if any of them support the corsair line of CPU coolers (which doesn't look like it.. rear 120mm fan space is lacking on most cases)

I cannot stand the fan noise on the 3 fan set that came with the server rack.. I'll be switching those out for something quieter.

 

[psyclum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecpeters

I'm looking into whether this is worth the money ... to spree for these types of cases. I have a empty poweredge dell half rack... does anyone have experience with these cases?

http://www.idotpc.com/TheStore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=717

cheapest I'm seeing is $199 , or double a regular 4U case.

I want to build a quiet system for running some programs in the background.. serve up Git, etc... coupled with a NVIDIA or ATI GPU... seems m-itx is double the price all around. Should I just buy a 4U and expand that system as my needs grow?

a 3U is a terrible size to build in. too short for a decent quiet cooler and too tall for a LOUD server based cooler. and besides that you are using a server 1U PSU which is also insanely loud.

if you want short, go with a full sized 1U or 2U chassis. if you want a decent quiet build, go for a 4U or a 5U chassis.

to prove my point, you wont even FIND any decent 3U chassis for servers. most server chassis are 1U, 2U or 4U, 5U. nobody builds a 3U really.

 

[ecpeters]

Quote:

Originally Posted by psyclum

a 3U is a terrible size to build in. too short for a decent quiet cooler and too tall for a LOUD server based cooler. and besides that you are using a server 1U PSU which is also insanely loud.

if you want short, go with a full sized 1U or 2U chassis. if you want a decent quiet build, go for a 4U or a 5U chassis.

to prove my point, you wont even FIND any decent 3U chassis for servers. most server chassis are 1U, 2U or 4U, 5U. nobody builds a 3U really.

The only 5U's I could find were in the Thousands... save for 2 cases. I have an Archon Air cooler which will warrant the 5U. Thanks for the input on 3Us.

 

[psyclum]

you can get decent 4U coolers. IIRC 4U can take a 154mm tall cooler which includes a thermalright TRUE Spirit 120M. its performance is excellent for its height and really the best 4U cooler you can find currently on the market. any other cooler will require at least a 160mm tall cooler.