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my first rack computer build

TOOL460002

TOOL460002

Nov 4, 2004
3,680
9,249
Santa Cruz
#1
first of all, i must thank all the tbers here who helped me out with this. this is just the second computer i built, and its a 4u rack unit, specifically for recording. im quite pleased. here it is:

front view in skb rolling rack:

cpufront.jpg


and heres the guts:

cpuguts.jpg


whats inside:

gigabyte mobo (x58a-ud3r)
intel i7 3.06ghz (i7-950)
intel x25m 80gb ssd (win 7 pro)
a pair of 500gb seagate storage drives
saphire ati radeon hd 5770 1gb gddr5 vapor x
zalman 850 watt power supply
6gb corsair dominator ddr3 1066mhz
cheapo cd/dvd drive

i finally have a system thatll run dual monitors. im using a m-audio 1884 fire wire interface, so i can have pro tools up on the big, wide screen monitor, and have reason up on the older monitor ive got.

unfortunately the rack case doesnt have room for a heat pipe cpu cooler. i also dont like the cool master fans i got, so i think im going to snag a few of those to replace the big fan in front of the hdds and the two smaller exhaust fans at the back of the case. as it is, theres 6 fans in the case.

im hoping it doesnt get hot keeping it in the skb rack case; lots of thick plastic. im considering drilling a couple holes in the metal top for the case. i just need to check the temperatures and figure that all out. maybe thats a dumb idea.

anyway, this is just a shameless "look what i have!" thread. but, like i said, i couldnt have put it together without the excellent help i got in here.

thanks! and all comments/critiques welcomed (even if you think its a piece of junk).
 
#3
Nice! I probably would have gone with faster DDR3 myself, but given that your memory controller is triple-channel it'll probably be just as fast. SSD boot drives make a HUGE difference. Is the front panel the only spot for ventilation on the case?
 
#4
I have the same case and had a over heating issue. I switched to the vertical fan (Zalman) to make the flow more direct (out the back). It does better now, but still gets hot. I am missing one of the smaller fans in back though. Good luck and nice build! Hopefully you don't have the same problem I have.
 
#5
Spencer! said:
Nice! I probably would have gone with faster DDR3 myself, but given that your memory controller is triple-channel it'll probably be just as fast. SSD boot drives make a HUGE difference. Is the front panel the only spot for ventilation on the case?
Click to expand...

thanks! im quite proud of it. i got a good deal on the 1066mhz ram, but i will definitely up it to the 1600mhz version if i run into issues (im thinking having reason up with a ton of devices/plug ins could lag, but that was with my older, much much slower tower).

as far as ventilation, theres a 120mm intake in the front, and two 80mm outs on the back (and the cpu/graphics card/power supply fans). im thinking of cutting or removing the metal slats that are below the cd/dvd drive (no desire to have 3 cd drives). i could definitely put a second, 80mm intake that way. im torn on that idea, though. ive got a second cd/floppy enclosure, so if i mess it up, ive at least got a back up. is this a dumb idea?

here is the front with the lid thing down (cd bay on the right in the crude skull looking thing):

cpufrontdown.jpg


jeepin_jer1 said:
I have the same case and had a over heating issue. I switched to the vertical fan (Zalman) to make the flow more direct (out the back). It does better now, but still gets hot. I am missing one of the smaller fans in back though. Good luck and nice build! Hopefully you don't have the same problem I have.
Click to expand...

thanks for the tips. the case was pretty cheap, so i wouldnt mind getting something else down the road. can you recommend a better 4u enclosure? i dont need to have my new baby over heating. also, what is this zalman vertical fan thing? is it a cpu cooler, or a case fan? im replacing all the fans with zalman ones to get it to run even more quiet.

also, if you want another mount for the 80mm in the back, i have one you can have. im happy to slap some stamps on it and ship it out your way. if not, no worries. the first case i received had a screw that broke off in one of the cd bay mounting brackets, so ive got a second case that can be raided for parts. thought i would at least offer.
 
#6
That's a lot of fans. I've never built a computer in a case like that, so I don't know what the heat situation is. I'd run it for a week or to and then decide if you need more cooling. The Core i7's run pretty cool at their stock speed - I don't know about that graphics card though.
 
#7
Spencer! said:
The Core i7's run pretty cool at their stock speed - I don't know about that graphics card though.
Click to expand...

i will be the first to admit im a dummy when it comes to graphics cards. ive never been a gamer. i just wanted the ability to run two monitors. its also dead silent, which is perfect. as long as it can run reason and pro tools, then im good. that said, ive always bought nvidia; this is my first ati card. hopefully they are durable.

i wasnt really on a strict budget, but i definitely didnt buy all top of the line stuff.
 
#8
Yes, the Zalman I used is a CPU Fan (CNPS9500A).
I have to check to see if I seated it properly though.
Because with all the fans, it shouldn't get hot.
Thanks for the offer of shipping that piece for me, but I don't need it. I just need a fan.
I don't use this comp as much.
And my case is the exact same as yours.
 

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