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Rackmount server advice

S

SickBeast

Lifer
Hello everyone,

I need some information regarding rackmount servers. I've been put in charge of assembling a cluster of computers for a large architectural firm. We need a series of computers to serve as a render farm. The owner would prefer a rackmount server rather than individual boxes. I have a few questions:

1. Will any standard ATX motherboard fit in a rackmount chassis?

2. Does the case contain a PSU cabable of sufficiently powering the array of hardware?

3. As far as I know each drawer in the case is ~3" deep. How do the PCI/AGP cards fit?

4. Will the heatsink height restriction be a serious problem?

5. Will it be cheaper/easier/more efficient to just use standard ATX cases instead?

I'm going to be asked to do a rendering of a 30+ storey condo, so it turns out I will require some serious graphic hardware. I'm assembling a render farm to reduce the render times. I'm planning to use a set of nForce2 boards w/ integrated graphics and sound paired with some cheap XP CPUs and a gig of ram for each system. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any information you guys have. :beer:

-Dave.
 
1) Some yes some no. You'll have to compare the dimensions.
2)You may have to purchase better supplies if your not confident with the hw. Generally, if they are from a decent manufacturer, they will work.
3)For a couple dollars a piece, you can purchase some pci/agp riser cards that let you mount on their sides.
4)Yes. Fortunately, there are enough hsf combinations that will fit within the dimensions.
5)Cheaper=yes x2, easier=not really, more efficient=definately not(cabling, space, etc.).


I tried setting up a cheap cruncher farm for the dc team, but the costs for the cases & unique hardware was much too big compared to a simple standard case setup. The space you save going rackmount, along with the uniform, clean wiring was very tempting though.
 
Thank-you Coquito, that's exactly what I needed to know. :beer:

From the sounds of it just going w/ ATX may be the way to go. I'm estimating 2-4 machines to serve my needs. To me it seems silly to build a rackmount when I'm only going to be starting with two computers.

Office space may be at a premium so that does need to be considered. I'll have to talk it over w/ the big boss and compare the price of 4 rackmount servers in a rack (I assume that's what it's called). 🙂
 
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