custom built core 2 duo fileserver in an old 2 bay SCSI external case!

[jaqie]

I had built this system hodge-podge a few years back with an atom n330 flex-atx mobo a few years ago, but I just redid it because I was having trouble with the pci extension cable I had to use. Long story short, I did a much better job this time.

MUCH better pictures fullsize and far higher quality on my server! Look! http://foxtecha.com/pics/comps/jatom/v1.1/

The way it used to look... wasn't nearly as good. View the old mod here:
http://foxtecha.com/pics/comps/jatom/

though on the outside it looked much as it does now:

This is with my previous case for my main computer, now relegated to my secondary computer case. It does give a good representation of the scale of this little PC that can handle a good amount of hard drives.

The system as it stands now has this hardware: (prices are shipped)
Intel DQ45EK LGA775 mini-itx motherboard with intel gigabit onboard new $43 geeks.com
Intel SLA9X E6550 2.33GHz core 2 duo 4MB/1333 cpu used $23 ebay
Intel OEM core 2 duo HSF new open box $7 ebay
Intel core 2 duo limited edition sticker (silver holographic though it looks greenish) $2 ebay
-----(old parts below, had them for ~2 years)-----
old 2x 5.25" bay SCSI case used $10 nextstep computer recycling
FSP / fortron source TFX micro ATX form factor PSU 180W new $52 newegg
2x 2gb kingston valueram ddr2-800 $50 newegg
toshiba 120gb 5400 rpm sata2 2.5" HDD (for OS) $0 (got it in a screen broken DV9500 for cleaning up their other laptop)
seagate 7200.12 1TB sata2 3.5" HDD new $100 newegg
seagate 7200.11 1.5TB sata2 3.5" HDD used $50 2cpu forums
seagate 7200.7 250GB PATA 3.5" HDD used $0 (xmas gift from a friend in romania few years back) (not hooked up atm, usb2 to pata adapter will not fit, need to find another)
xion brand 5.25" bay grille covers new $10 newegg (needed ventilation bad!)
win-gauge four 10-segment LED bargraph usb system meter, removed from case then glued in behind the front bay cover grilles. Shows cpu usage, mem usage, HDD usage, and network usage as 10 segment bargaphs.
some various snits and snoodles I had around for LED and switch conversion, standoffs, et cetra.

 

[jaqie]

nobody has any comments or questions?

 

[MrWizzard]

nobody has any comments or questions?

I think most people see it and go, "well it turned out good" and move on to the next thread.

Just because people don't say anything doesn't mean they didn't notice.

I think you did a fine job.

 

[Sheep221]

Nice work mate, the case reminds me of those stylized ATX and barebone cases sold 10-13 years ago.
How are the CPU temps?Do you have any air path inside?

 

[jaqie]

Nice work mate, the case reminds me of those stylized ATX and barebone cases sold 10-13 years ago.
How are the CPU temps?Do you have any air path inside?

Thanks!
The intel motherboard auto-regulates the CPU fan on the c2d to 70c, under prime95 load it stays right at that at room temperature, only getting loud when the cpu is under prime95 style loads. I have drilled the underside of the plastic front with 1/4" drill holes as a grate, and the drive bay covers are an open grate with the kind of open cell foam they used to put in room air-conditioners cut to proper size.

Most of the air goes past the hard drives, with just enough going through the lower part to keep the component heat in check. The top and bottom parts are mostly separated by an aluminum plate just thick enough to hold up the stack of hard drives in that loose 3 drive bracket. The TFX power supply fan ramps up and down with the temperature of the air coming out, and since that is the only air outlet and the only air inlet is in the front, it keeps everything under controlled temperatures. Since most of the air goes past the hard drives, they stay nice and cool even under heavy use.

Eventually, I am going to get an icydock 3-in-2 drive bay. Then I will mount the notebook hdd in front of the motherboard under those loose USB cables. The single esata plug in the back will come in handy for expansion and mass file copying, but I think 3 storage HDDs will be plenty as I upgrade drives, especially with full UEFI support in the intel bios.

 

[Sheep221]

LGA775 board with UEFI Bios hmm, didn't know they were adding UEFI to such an old platform boards.

I was browsing through directories on your web server and you are like me with all those pictures of all hardware. I like your gallery there.

 

[jaqie]

thanks again feel free to look around!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Intel DQ45EK LGA775 mini-itx motherboard with intel gigabit onboard new $43 geeks.com
...
but I think 3 storage HDDs will be plenty as I upgrade drives, especially with full UEFI support in the intel bios.

Those little boards have UEFI? I didn't see it when I was setting one up, but I didn't flash to the newest BIOS. That would be fairly unusual to have a S775 board with UEFI.

I bought two of them from Geeks when they were ~$30 ea + ship.

Edit: Well what do you know, they do support UEFI boot. Check "release notes".
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...ng&OSVersion=OS Independent&DownloadType=BIOS

 

[jaqie]

Those little boards have UEFI? I didn't see it when I was setting one up, but I didn't flash to the newest BIOS. That would be fairly unusual to have a S775 board with UEFI.

Yeah when I saw that, and the current price, I was like time to upgrade is RIGHT NOW