Finally got this monster up and running after weeks of finding the right parts new and used. It took a while but I am now there.

This super beefy machine now has excellent cooling, super silent and currently runs everything I need with room to spare.

 

Specs:

Ryzen 3900 65w TDP

32GB DDR4 3000Mhz

Quadro P600

LSI 8I SAS with expander for 16 HDDs + 6 from mobo (active cooled mod)

1TB NVME cache

256GB NVME on PCI-e 1x

MSI Gaming pro motherboard x470

650W PSU

Quad Port Intel Nic for isolating VMs

10GB SFP+ Nic for main connection

25 drive in 4 drive cages

D5 pump with reservoir

240mm radiator

Water temp Display

 

Fans controlled by dynamix auto fan control

All weighs about 50kgs

 

 

That thing just screams. "I'M HEAVY!!!!!!!"

 

Nice build. What's with the Temp monitor? Its totally got my interest peaked.

It really is. 50Kg is 110lbs in American. 

 

Thats a XSPC water temp monitor with a digital display. My MB does not have a temp sensor, so I put an external one in there. 

 

I am trying to figure out fan control still. It would have been great to do a fan curve according to water temp, but thats not possible at this time so I am just using the CPU for everything in the Dynamic Auto Fan plugin.

 

2 hours ago, alitech said:

I am trying to figure out fan control still. It would have been great to do a fan curve according to water temp, but thats not possible at this time so I am just using the CPU for everything in the Dynamic Auto Fan plugin.

Impressive build.

 

In my main PC (not the server) I use one of these...  https://aquacomputer.de/newsreader/items/aquastream-ultimate.html  (they're not cheap though).

It has an integrated coolant temperature sensor, fan controller, pump controller and so on. The control curves can be set up using WIndows software with whatever parameters you need, and it then stores the configuration in non-volatile storage within the pump/fan controller hardware.  Such a device could remove the need to monitor and control from the server if so desired.  Just a thought - although I would imagine you've already invested significantly in your current implementation.  

 

1 hour ago, S80_UK said:

Impressive build.

 

In my main PC (not the server) I use one of these...  https://aquacomputer.de/newsreader/items/aquastream-ultimate.html  (they're not cheap though).

It has an integrated coolant temperature sensor, fan controller, pump controller and so on. The control curves can be set up using WIndows software with whatever parameters you need, and it then stores the configuration in non-volatile storage within the pump/fan controller hardware.  Such a device could remove the need to monitor and control from the server if so desired.  Just a thought - although I would imagine you've already invested significantly in your current implementation.  

 

I love this! I didn't know it existed. Should have to the plans on here first. 

It is working ok for now, although I think this pump/controller combo unit could be pretty handy when I move things into a rack mounted solution ... which is the obvious next step.

 

I can imagine it now.. external radiator and pump set up with a silent passive external PSU and pipes going through a PCI slot at the back of the case. wowzers!

 

Thanks a lot for sharing this with me. 

 

Water cooling is making me more excited than doing the rack build itself haha

 

What I really need is a super silent solution to cool the hard disks. I am going to continue researching on how to actively water cool hard drives in sandwich setup (1 heatsink for every 2 drives) without compromising space. Need the hard disks to be cooler than they are. 

9 hours ago, alitech said:

Water cooling is making me more excited than doing the rack build itself haha

 

Water cooling... It's a whole new way to pour cash into a seemingly bottomless pit... 🤣

 

But I agree - it becomes an interesting and rewarding aspect of PC building.  I have no idea about applying water cooling to multiple hard drives.  I am sure it's possible, but coupling the drive chassis to the water block effectively might present some challenges.  (I have not looked to see if such things exist.)        

Edited April 2, 20215 yr by S80_UK

58 minutes ago, S80_UK said:

Water cooling... It's a whole new way to pour cash into a seemingly bottomless pit

Hopefully without pouring water over your circuits. I've expressed my opinion on water cooling unattended machines elsewhere on this forum, so I won't rain on this parade.

 

Awesome build, I hope it gives years of trouble free performance. 🙂

What I didn’t see in the initial post is what the case is?


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On 5/24/2021 at 3:18 PM, jrd680 said:

What I didn’t see in the initial post is what the case is?


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Wondering too

Antec 1200 something something.. its an old one from 2009 i beleive. I picked it up used on ebay.

On 6/2/2021 at 3:03 AM, alitech said:

Antec 1200 something something.. its an old one from 2009 i beleive. I picked it up used on ebay.

Looks great!

What are your HDDs average temps?

So it seems like its just the CPU that's water cooled and the HDD's are still air cooled, correct?  Have you thought of routing something to cool the HDD's?  

13 hours ago, cbr600ds2 said:

So it seems like its just the CPU that's water cooled and the HDD's are still air cooled, correct?  Have you thought of routing something to cool the HDD's?  

Thanks for the suggestion. I would love to, however the cages are so tight, now sure how to do that. Any thoughts?

On 8/13/2021 at 3:54 AM, alitech said:

Thanks for the suggestion. I would love to, however the cages are so tight, now sure how to do that. Any thoughts?

 

I'm trying to figure that out myself but i'm curious how cool an actual water block really gets and whether that would make sense or fit.  If I thnk of something I'll def. let you know!  

Probably end up heating the drives UP instead of cooling them down, considering the water temp could end up averaging ~40C or more

What cages are those? a model will be appreciated (or link)

I am also interested in which hard drive pods, cages, or whatever you want to call them are.  They look similar to my Norco PODS, but they are not the same ones.

Here you go

 

https://www.servercase.co.uk/shop/components/hot-swap-drive-enclosures/5-x-35-sata-hot-swap-into-3-x-525-drive-bays-sc-h500

 

On 9/11/2022 at 4:31 PM, obi-WAN-kenobi said:

What cages are those? a model will be appreciated (or link)

I use Norco SS-500 drive cages.  These look similar but are maybe knock offs?

 

Here are the Norco's:

https://www.sg-norco.com/pdfs/SS-500_5_bay_Hot_Swap_Module.pdf

 

craigr

1 minute ago, alitech said:

Here you go

 

https://www.servercase.co.uk/shop/components/hot-swap-drive-enclosures/5-x-35-sata-hot-swap-into-3-x-525-drive-bays-sc-h500

 

The back of your PODS (cages) loos entirely different?

Best alternative I can find. The norcos look much better. Stick with those?

 

That case with these drive cages is amazing. I really like it. Would be nice to have a closed sidepanel though