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Look at all these crack racks!!!!! :-O

I like the Dawnlink farm pics where the computers are set up in the attic. I got a lot of flack at first for doing that here at my home but all the machines were fine in the heat of battle dampening the threads of the heat worry worts.
 
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
I like the Dawnlink farm pics where the computers are set up in the attic. I got a lot of flack at first for doing that here at my home but all the machines were fine in the heat of battle dampening the threads of the heat worry worts.
Click to expand...

I would bet that the attic was probably the only place his wife would let him setup a crack rack farm! 😉

 
I'm working to build my own crackrack - I promise to take pictures of the process and post 'em on a site - but I'm not ready yet, so don't be clamoring for PICS yet. 😉

I'm still gathering parts, but so far there's (6) ECS K7S5A boards and (5) MSI K7T boards in the mix with more to come... and none of it is online yet. :Q Over the next two weeks, I'll be gathering a few more boards, several procs(all 1GHz+) and some more ram. 🙂

 
damn - look at the crunchyhog setup. now that is neat and tidy!! 😀

if only i had the space...*dreams on*
 
Woah, those setups are freaking awesome! Too bad my mom would be awfully p1ssed if I had so many computers taking up that much space. Aside from the issue of me not being able to afford it... 😉
 
Originally posted by: networkman
I'm working to build my own crackrack - I promise to take pictures of the process and post 'em on a site - but I'm not ready yet, so don't be clamoring for PICS yet. 😉

I'm still gathering parts, but so far there's (6) ECS K7S5A boards and (5) MSI K7T boards in the mix with more to come... and none of it is online yet. :Q Over the next two weeks, I'll be gathering a few more boards, several procs(all 1GHz+) and some more ram. 🙂
Click to expand...

I didn't know it was going to be that big. :Q

Just wondering, how much RAM are you putting in them. Every time I think about designing a crack rack (not that I could afford one) I am always not sure on how much memory.
 
Originally posted by: RemyCanad
Originally posted by: networkman
I'm working to build my own crackrack - I promise to take pictures of the process and post 'em on a site - but I'm not ready yet, so don't be clamoring for PICS yet. 😉

I'm still gathering parts, but so far there's (6) ECS K7S5A boards and (5) MSI K7T boards in the mix with more to come... and none of it is online yet. :Q Over the next two weeks, I'll be gathering a few more boards, several procs(all 1GHz+) and some more ram. 🙂
Click to expand...
I didn't know it was going to be that big. :Q

Just wondering, how much RAM are you putting in them. Every time I think about designing a crack rack (not that I could afford one) I am always not sure on how much memory.
Click to expand...
If you're just doing a minimal linux install with SETI, 128MB should work, but if you're too lazy to tweak linux for optimal RAM usage, or you just feel like staying with the dark side and using Windows, you should have 256MB. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: jliechty
Originally posted by: RemyCanad
Originally posted by: networkman
I'm working to build my own crackrack - I promise to take pictures of the process and post 'em on a site - but I'm not ready yet, so don't be clamoring for PICS yet. 😉

I'm still gathering parts, but so far there's (6) ECS K7S5A boards and (5) MSI K7T boards in the mix with more to come... and none of it is online yet. :Q Over the next two weeks, I'll be gathering a few more boards, several procs(all 1GHz+) and some more ram. 🙂
Click to expand...
I didn't know it was going to be that big. :Q

Just wondering, how much RAM are you putting in them. Every time I think about designing a crack rack (not that I could afford one) I am always not sure on how much memory.
Click to expand...
If you're just doing a minimal linux install with SETI, 128MB should work, but if you're too lazy to tweak linux for optimal RAM usage, or you just feel like staying with the dark side and using Windows, you should have 256MB. 🙂
Click to expand...


128MB is fine for a Seti Crack rack running windows. I should know, I have a 9 node crack rack 🙂 Seti doesn't use much memory.
 
Originally posted by: Crazee
Originally posted by: jliechty
Originally posted by: RemyCanad
Originally posted by: networkman
I'm working to build my own crackrack - I promise to take pictures of the process and post 'em on a site - but I'm not ready yet, so don't be clamoring for PICS yet. 😉

I'm still gathering parts, but so far there's (6) ECS K7S5A boards and (5) MSI K7T boards in the mix with more to come... and none of it is online yet. :Q Over the next two weeks, I'll be gathering a few more boards, several procs(all 1GHz+) and some more ram. 🙂
Click to expand...
I didn't know it was going to be that big. :Q

Just wondering, how much RAM are you putting in them. Every time I think about designing a crack rack (not that I could afford one) I am always not sure on how much memory.
Click to expand...
If you're just doing a minimal linux install with SETI, 128MB should work, but if you're too lazy to tweak linux for optimal RAM usage, or you just feel like staying with the dark side and using Windows, you should have 256MB. 🙂
Click to expand...
128MB is fine for a Seti Crack rack running windows. I should know, I have a 9 node crack rack 🙂 Seti doesn't use much memory.
Click to expand...
Hehe, I guess I was thinking about how much RAM Windows XP likes to have; you'd probably be running something lighter (like Win2k) on a crackrack, so 128MB would be just right. 😀
 
Initially, I'll be using Win98SE since I have all the legit licenses I need. 😉 As for ram, 128meg is going to be the absolute minimum - 192 to 256 is my preferred range to provide for future expansion/projects.

Once the first two towers are operational(tentatively 6 boards each), I'll be working to setup Linux on the 3rd tower. The crackrack will be doing a few projects, primarily D2OL and SETI. 🙂 As for processors, it looks like the Duron 1200 will be the slowest CPU I use. 😀


 
NWM, your crazy 😛 I tried building a crack rack a while ago, but financial problems reared their ugly head. I want to try again, but I am unemployed, and have $0 dollars coming in, so I have to watch what I do. And spending $2k on a rack would be counter productive 😛

I did figure out the costs though for those that asked.

Mobo: $55 (K7SEM) with onboard video and NIC
Memory: $55 (SDR from Kingston, 512 MB )
CPU: $55 (1600+)
HSF: $8 (coolermaster)
PWS: $20 (400 watt From here)
Network cable: $5

Total: Just under $200 per node.

I was going to create a ram drive in the 512 MB memory and network boot SE. I had no clue how to go about doing this, so I just found some 1 GB HD's and used those, which added about $20 to the cost. 🙂 I started with 3 nodes.

If you want the true cost, don't forget the other stuff you would need: 89SE licences $15 each, a KB and mouse ( just in case ) The rack ( $200 or so for one like the CrunchyHog and some Hubs (maybe $70 for enough ports I found a 24 from SHUXclams for $30 IIRC )

And there ya go, one CruchyHog for $5100 or so.
 
Yep, I've seen those before.. got 'em bookmarked even. Now multiply the wattage of those by the number of nodes in your rack - now take that number and multiply by the price per KWhour charged by the electric company. You see where this going? 😉

Running many machines in one's home means you have to factor in monthly costs as well.

Fortunately for me, I'm not spending anything for the hard drives/nic/vid as I already have them. The ECS boards cost me $35/$29 each while the MSI boards were only $20 each(used). Pick up $2.95 power supplies with chips/ram at cost, and I'm nowhere near $5k for my project... heck, I'm not even yet at $1k. 😉
 
networkman would the racks that are going to be build for the ENTERPRISE fit for you? and btw if some is making a crack rack newegg has a Epox mb for $29!!
 
Although I have never tried it, I have heard of people running 2 boards off one PWS. This worries me because of the feedback the boards and PWS enjoy, but I have seen it done. Don't remember or have the web site though.

I have tried using 2 PWS's on one board though, and that seems to work. I have also powered a K7S5A with a 200 watt PWS I got for $5 from Tiger before I stopped shopping there.
 
Hey evadman. How do those 400w PSU's work? I need to get me a PSU for my ECS board that's coming. Would that one work? Have you ever ordered from that particular place?

Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: LyNx01
Hey evadman. How do those 400w PSU's work? I need to get me a PSU for my ECS board that's coming. Would that one work? Have you ever ordered from that particular place?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have ordered from them many times, that exact link and company. Shipping is not great, but if you buy a few it is decent. They have many other decent supplies too.

I have used that PWS in may things and many boards. I even used it on a dual tyan system with 2 1.0 durons without a problem. I think there is a thread in HD about that place, but it must be archived by now.
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
Originally posted by: LyNx01
Hey evadman. How do those 400w PSU's work? I need to get me a PSU for my ECS board that's coming. Would that one work? Have you ever ordered from that particular place?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have ordered from them many times, that exact link and company. Shipping is not great, but if you buy a few it is decent. They have many other decent supplies too.

I have used that PWS in may things and many boards. I even used it on a dual tyan system with 2 1.0 durons without a problem. I think there is a thread in HD about that place, but it must be archived by now.
Click to expand...

Thanks 🙂 If I can't get one from my friend cheap i'll be checking into that one!
 
Originally posted by: Evadman
Although I have never tried it, I have heard of people running 2 boards off one PWS. This worries me because of the feedback the boards and PWS enjoy, but I have seen it done. Don't remember or have the web site though.

I have tried using 2 PWS's on one board though, and that seems to work. I have also powered a K7S5A with a 200 watt PWS I got for $5 from Tiger before I stopped shopping there.
Click to expand...

I did a 2 boards on 1 PSU for a while. I was running 2 BP6s off of a 350W PSU 🙂 Worked just fine. The only problem was during reboots - you need to make sure both restart. I have since needed the 350W to power a 1.33 T-bird and put the 200W PSUs back on the BP6s. I can't seem to find the mod link either😱


CkG
 
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