How to build a HD farm?

[nyker96]

okay, a friend of mine needs to build a HD farm that has about 6-8 HDs connected into his main computer. since the ventilation is a big problem plus the extra 100-150W power might be taxing on his main SLI rig I devised the following scheme:

make a separate computer right next to his main rig to house 4-6 HDs with a separate Antec EW 380W supply in that case. Loaded up with bunch 120mm for ventilation, buy about 4-6 long 2 feet SATA II extension cables to route the signal back into the main rig via the back PCI slots.

BTW, my friend already has the extra case/380W lying around house.

But before I proceed, just want to hear your opinions and ideas about this. Any tips/advices would be highly appreciated. Maybe there's also a better way to do this.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Can't you just install Windows, network the two together, and enable file sharing? I figure the cost after buying a ton of extension cables starts coming close to XP home

 

[tynopik]

get a coolermaster stacker something and an extra 4-in-3 HD cage and a PCIe controller card (highpoint rocketraid or whatever) and move his system into it (so just 1 system)

what PS does he have currently and what are the rest of the specs?

 

[nyker96]

BlueAcolyte: thought about doing this, but kinda slow the networked drive quite bottlenecked.

tynopik: Yes ne needs an extra controller card for them. he's got a 620HX on main with a pair 8800GT//4gb DDR2s. I guess the big problem here is that two PSU means the second system needs to be powered up separately with another m.b. which I got a spare junk 754 around I can give him. I might look into stacker, he uses a P180b now. I'm just think it's too much heat and Watage in one case.

 

[tynopik]

Originally posted by: nyker96Yes ne needs an extra controller card for them. he's got a 620HX on main with a pair 8800GT//4gb DDR2s.

should be plenty of power

Originally posted by: nyker96
I guess the big problem here is that two PSU means the second system needs to be powered up separately with another m.b.

put it all in the same system, just 1 PS

Originally posted by: nyker96I might look into stacker, he uses a P180b now. I'm just think it's too much heat and Watage in one case.

not going to be an issue

 

[Mondoman]

If you're going to a 2nd case and PS, you don't want to electrically connect it to the first system, as you'll potentially have issues with ground loops etc.
Building a cheap NAS is another option: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/27840/77/

 

[Rubycon]

Text

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Mondoman
If you're going to a 2nd case and PS, you don't want to electrically connect it to the first system, as you'll potentially have issues with ground loops etc.
Building a cheap NAS is another option: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/27840/77/

Good point. Adding resistance between to two grounds would help, but there isn't an easy way that I can think of to do that. I would suggest against seperating the power source because ground loops can really wreak havok on sensitive electronics like the MB (where the comm ground signal is originating.)

 

[nyker96]

Mondoman, Martimus: thanks guys, now I realize this isn't too good since both has different groud and I know the signal xfer depend on equal grounding. Good thing you guys mentioned this. I will definitely try to get it into single case setup then.

 

[bryanW1995]

the hx 620 will be fine for dual 8800gt's and 8 hd's. I agree with a NAS or just throwing them all in the p180 case.

 

[Markfw]

I have a Li-an-Li 2000 that holds 12 HD's minimum (can use adapters, and put 6 more above) ! too bad I can't find a buyer local (I won't ship this beast) And I only want $100 for it !