AT0MAC Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 I like to follow this thread. You put a lot of effort into it. Really like the customizing part. Did you make those 3D models yourself or can the models be downloaded somewhere. Thank you I actually wrote to Norco and asked if they had a 3D model they would send me as a file, but it was not possible. So I ended up building my own. Because of the graphics the file size is too big for Google 3D Gallery (they only allow 10MB and im already at around 20) but when ever I have time to do more accurate measurements I will make it available for download somewhere. Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Today I ended up not receiving any packages My 3TB HDD from Germany have now arrived in Denmark via DHL, so expected delivery is tomorrow morning (if it comes after I leave for work at 9:30am I will have to go pick it up in the airport nearby later in the week). I asked the guys who have sold me the motherboard/80mm fans/sd cardreader to return the Lian Li BS03 because a) I do not need it any longer and b) It kept the rest of my order in their hands because the Lian Li had not shown up in their stock deliveries as expected. So now that order is finally on it's way, some come via GLS and rest via the usual post expected for tomorrow. My Raidon box and fan for it have maybe been here today, if so then I will get a note for later pickup by tomorrow in my mail. The Lian Li EX332NA is not send yet, so no idea when it will show up... Performance-PCs have also only updated to notify me the order have been registered, but not actually send yet... Can't wait till everything is in my hands, I have a big pile of money being transported around out there Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 I had the last piece cut out the day after the last update: (yes I know it is not completely straight, but it should be fixed when I get my edging tape from the US.) This is how it looked when I was about to start assembly: Unscrewed the default fans in the case: Unpacked the awesome looking PSU: Mounted it: Takes up very little space in this chassis: Today was finally the day packages arrived: Inside the smallest box was another box: My 3TB Hitachi was hiding inside: Next box was my 80mm fans, Kingston card reader and motherboard: Was a little confused when I saw the box as that did not look like the board I have ordered: But inside was my D525 : Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 Unpacked my new NoiseBlocker PWM fans (from 1 to 17dB ) : Notice the edge: Against the case the edge is covered in detachable silicone: Even the corners on these fans are made out of rubber, so it's very wobbly (kind of like floating) but I am sure vibrations are pretty much gone They came with some tiny black screws, not real fan screws but looked more like something that is ment to be pushed into the rubber corners and just keep it there... Hmm I want something a little more robust so found my plastic bolts: Because they are plastic, then even if they vibrate a little they dont say much, not like the metallic kling kling rattle sounds normal screws edges against a large steel plate can make Fans mounted: Put some plast strips in the PSU to hold the fan cables in place, and a cable binder below the motherboard: Found a little "error", the fan cables are not so tight along the side of the fan if you place the fan to blow into the case, nothing to hold the wires in place. So I opted for some Loctite super glue I had laying around anyway: Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 I had just finished mounting the fans when UPS showed up with yet another package: Inside it my Raidon HDD box and my new fan for it + a surprise (a free microfone, I do have a camera but never bothered getting a mic for it - how did they knew that?!): The noisy standart fan had to come off: Some stripping: Off with the tacho wire: Ready to solder: Problem is though, found out I am out of solder and I lost my heatgun..... Went for the next best thing: Glue and tape! Just temporary until I get solder, find my heat gun and receive the package from US were I ordered some tiny cable sleeve and heat shrink. A few rubber discs to prevent vibration (the original fan was just mounted straight on the frame): Done deal (for now), the fan is mounted so it sucks air out of the box into the chassis, just like the original fan did: Mounted both drives in the box, an extremely tight fit, so tight it make it bulge a little: The frame is black plastic, but the doors are painted aluminum that match the painted steel chassis very nicely: Another detail I really like about this box is that there are no buttons to accidentally hit and eject the discs - you need a special little tool that is in the box to get your HDDs back out (so don't loose it). Plugged them in via a small USB to Sata adapter I normally use for data recovery or general drive testing: Yep it is alive, fan working, LED lighting and discs spinning: A strange little thing that happened when I plugged it in is that my Mac can only see the 3TB Hitachi as 800GB? Why is that - Mac don't support 3TB or is it the controller in my USB adapter that have a limit? Todays finished work with fans mounted, PSU mounted, MB mounted and fans plugged into MB (I think I did a pretty good job in cable management: I hope I get a visit from DPD tomorrow with my Lian Li drive cages and in the beginning of next week I should receive my first package from Performance PC's. As soon the drive cages have been mounted I will order SATA cables to get the right length. Also, I want to prepare to max it out with the total 8 drives, so I need yet another package from US with these in. More updates will follow as the work continues when more parts arrive. Stay tuned Quote Link to comment
chickensoup Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Wow, where did you get those invisible power/data cables? Looking good mate! Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 Wow, where did you get those invisible power/data cables? It is just Seasonic, the are serious about making their PSUs modular - even the MB cable is detachable! That is what a real modular build is (to be honest, I had my good friend over for a visit the other day and make a Disillusionment Charm for all the cables to clean up the act) Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 Weekend updates: I have received my Lian Li drive cages and on Monday I will start to figure out how to make them fit in the case. I have been looking around for a way to neatly bring power to my six drives in the Lian Li cages (there is only one drive for now but it never hurt to think ahead). I asked the guys over at Perfomance-PCs if they could help - and sure thing - they have sponsored me to custom make me a pair of molex -> 3x sata power plugs! Red wires to match with SATA data cables, black sleeve and black heatshrink... Can't wait to receive their package and thank them SO SO much for the sponsoring - go check out their site, if you are into modifying and cleaning up your PC act they are the place to go! The cables they have sponsored me are similar to these: Another update is I have started to make a "pixel perfect" model of the whole build - so far I have made like 80% of the Norco case up to scale with mm precision. Because of that I figured out there is actually no place I can put all my case badges - I know the server is supposed to hide under my sofa, but whenever I take it out I like to show off directly on the case what awesome equipment it is made from - so I ordered a piece of 25x600mm real woven and lacquered carbon fiber plate! (that was a little pricey but it is going to look epic!) - not any fake sticker or plastic plate printed to look like carbon, this is the real deal! I am assuming I will cut it to fit and mount it on the front like this (but lets see when I receive it): The square in the middle is a Performance-PCs case badge I am now officially modder! I draw in 3D, modify and even gets sponsored! Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 Just updated post #1, a little of who I am, what I have done before and most recent update pictures Stay tuned Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 I learned a small lesson today: The guys and girls in crime show CSI are right about Glue fumes making fingerprints visible! That is what have happened to my NoiseBlocker fans because I glued in the PWM wires, they were a little loose from the factory and would not stick in their plastic bracket. It now looks like this: The white parts is finger smudges... Tried to clean it off with some alcohol, got better but not pristine: In other news, received my first package from Performance-PCs today: Inside it was heatshrink, sleeve and rubber edging for my steel cut outs: Just realized I had not put up pictures of my new drive cages, so here you go: Tomorrow I hope to have time to sleeve, am still waiting to receive my piece of Carbon fiber and my second package from Performance-PCs. These last few weeks I feel like I am running an import company, SO many packages and deliveries to take care of! By the way, I need your help: This build need a cool name, what do you suggest I call it? Primary components are Norco case, NoiseBlocker fans, Hitachi drives, Atom processor, mITX SuperMicro motherboard and a small piece of carbon to finish it off. What names can you come up with??? Quote Link to comment
Rajahal Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 I would sarcastically call it Sketch, in homage to the work you did in Sketchup and the absolute legitimacy of your precision case modding and hyper-analytic approach to this whole build. I'm not sure if the joke translates well or not, but its funny to me Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 15, 2012 Author Share Posted May 15, 2012 I would sarcastically call it Sketch, in homage to the work you did in Sketchup and the absolute legitimacy of your precision case modding and hyper-analytic approach to this whole build. I'm not sure if the joke translates well or not, but its funny to me That's not a bad idea Anyone else have a good idea for a name for my build? Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted May 25, 2012 Author Share Posted May 25, 2012 Hi guys - I'm back! Sorry for the loss of updates, but I have had a lot of work at my primary job and I have had a lot of trouble with the last few pieces of this build. First of all I have not yet received my carbon, should arrive one of these days. Second, my package from Performance-PCs containing power cables for the drives got a little lost. First it arrived, then I went to pick it up, it was no longer there - and today I finally found out it was because customs had picked it up to get it tax evaluated. So today I received it and the cables looks absolute AWESOME!! Updates in pictures: Been sleeving cables for the buttons/LEDs in the front of my case: Half way there: Finished: And the other end: In total: Here is the package from US based Performance-PCs who supported me by sponsoring a pair of their really really nice looking power cables: And here is the cables them selves!!! Click the logo to go directly to their site for inspiration or to buy the best in computer parts for builders/modders: Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 Im sorry I been quiet for so long yet again, but these days I have a lot of work to do in my primary job so not so much spare time to have fun in Anyway... I have many many pictures I will post whenever I get time, just to mention a few things I have made so far since last update: Been drawing super precise 3D drawings of the build (drawings are not completed yet though as it takes immense amounts of time) Cutting the Lian Li case drives a little smaller so they will fit better Ordered a Scytche Quiet Drive 2.5 for the cache disc as it will be the only drive running most of the time I would love to make it the most noiseless (and also make it able to fit in the other 3.5" drawers) Changed my mind to that I will not use the Raidon frontmounted 2.5/3.5 combo drive box as it obstructs my other drive cages (the box is a few mm too wide) and also because in my testing so far the 40mm fan is super annoying (even after I changed it to a more noiseless model) Just ordered a XFX Radeon 5450 low profile graphics card with DVI/VGA/HDMI because I am considering running a dual boot system with either Windows 8 Server or Ubuntu 12 - to use as a low-end HTPC Thinking about buying a Logitech Dinovo Mini for the HTPC usage And lastly, the carbon fiber piece I had ordered in the UK never arrived because it was too long to send as a normal package. Didn't want to overspend on it so have asked for a refund... Thats all for now, stay tuned till next time I swing by and post pictures and niceness Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 Let me share a few of my newest sketches, so you can see I am not totally abandoning this project It is still in progress, just a little slow due to other work wich pays more than spare time projects tend to do ---------------- This is one of the reasons to why I can not use the Raidon box, the space will be a few mm too tight (the grey in front of the fan is the side of a drive cage obstructing the way the front module would be placed normally): A birds view of the whole thing, notice the black PCB left in the Motherboard, thats the graphics card (only drawn the gfx in estimated size as no one seems to have measured a 5450 card before): "Glass box" view (were you clearly see the drive cages and back plate both in mm precise drawings): Same view, different angle: Will start moving the whole build to my workplace, as I these days spend more time there than home I could easily progress faster than I can here. Also my wife would love if I did not use the whole living room as my playground Stay tuned! Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 I was recently told I am really good at over complicating things.... So, to keep it short for once: I received my graphics card but have today chosen to send it back for a refund - reason? There are much better media streamers out there than what I can build my self, it's not worth the effort. Let's keep this NAS simple and efficient! A real pro-nas is no nonsens, so thats the way this will be too. Another package I received is the disc silencer from Scythe: A pretty serious little box: Pure tech porn: Exposed: Measuring the bare drive: Measuring the drive in the box: Pretty big difference! It is absolutely silent, or at least it's same as the noise level for the rest of the room - a typical living room noise level. By the way, since I started modding this project I have found small details everywhere that I can do better. For once, in the silencer box the thick rubber pads push so much on the drive it actually refuses to start... And if I remove the pad there are so much air in the box that I can hear something vibrate... Solution? STP damping mat! Made for silencing doors in car-fi setups, heavy self adhesive pads that can be cut in any shape. Works like a charm! Closed up and silent! Stay tuned for more updates in the near future Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Over night I tested the 2.5" drive in it's box to see if it was still ok, simply because when I tried to close the drive the first time with the original rubber inlay it sounded like a "head crash" - but all sectors seems to be in perfect working order Today I have been trying to figure out were to place the cache drive and the parity drive, I would like them not to be among the data drives so they are easier to find and to maximise space. Tomorrow I will hopefully do some real world testing but for now I let the pictures talk: What you can see in the back corner is the two drives placed in one of the original hardddrive cages from the Norco chassis, I can hopefully fit it next to the PCI slot and place my Lian Li fan assembly above it for extra cooling. Stay tuned for more updates in the near future Quote Link to comment
chickensoup Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Good to hear that your drive is still ok, that would suck having an enclosure "crush" it :-/ You inspired me to reinstall SketchUp and I have been designing myself a chassis to fit my not-so-deep data cabinet. While I am happy with it is turning out, your attention to detail is very impressive (looking at your fans, expansion bay covers etc). How did you resolve the issue of the drive cage overlapping the 5.25" bay? Also I'm running the Winblows version of SketchUp and can't seem to find the glass view you posted pics of.. I can get a wireframe and turn textures on/off easily so maybe I've simply overlooked it Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Good to hear that your drive is still ok, that would suck having an enclosure "crush" it :-/ You inspired me to reinstall SketchUp and I have been designing myself a chassis to fit my not-so-deep data cabinet. While I am happy with it is turning out, your attention to detail is very impressive (looking at your fans, expansion bay covers etc). How did you resolve the issue of the drive cage overlapping the 5.25" bay? Also I'm running the Winblows version of SketchUp and can't seem to find the glass view you posted pics of.. I can get a wireframe and turn textures on/off easily so maybe I've simply overlooked it Nice to hear I inspire others The glass view is a combination of monochrome, x-ray and no other edge styling than profiles turned on - then you see your sketch as if it is made out of glass. The fans is actually some other guys work, the only thing I have imported from Googles 3D Warehouse, slightly modified them though so they are same size as my own fans. I think that the 5.25 bay is slightly too small now for anything, will see for sure when I screw the front back on (I only mounted the drive cases in the chassis so far), if it's too small then it's not a big deal as I chose not to use any 5.25 components anyway. I am not continuing with the assembly for now, as I need to find a way to add extra sata ports first, see it's own thread here. Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share Posted June 25, 2012 I now have a solution to how I can add more SATA ports in my machine: I found a good offer on a IBM M1015 card in Germany I "had to" order - so I did... Someone said something about I would need to flash the card, ok, flash it with what, how and why?? Quote Link to comment
dikkiedirk Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 A "normal" M1015" has a IBM RAID BIOS. When you flash it, most flash it to IT mode, it acts like a normal HBA on mhich you can add 8 SATA drives. Read more here: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12767.0 Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share Posted June 25, 2012 A "normal" M1015" has a IBM RAID BIOS. When you flash it, most flash it to IT mode, it acts like a normal HBA on mhich you can add 8 SATA drives. Read more here: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12767.0 So for short, I guess it this one I need to focus on?: LSI MegaRAID with SAS2008 chipsets 1) IBM ServeRAID M1015 2) Intel RS2WC080 Please let me know (PM or post here) what Card you have successfully flashed with the LSI MegaRAID SAS2008 chipset with the provided zip. 20.10.1-0037 (APP-2.120.54-1235) / 15-APR-11 Only iMR mode available. LSI MegaRAID SAS2008 Controller.zip - 5.32 MB (Windows) Linux Driver: megaraid_sas - supports the LSI SAS1078, SAS1078 GEN2, SAS1079 GEN2, SAS0073 and SAS0071 chipsets. Though is is an old version indeed. (Thanks to "BRiT"s prior post) unRAID Support: Driver not included at this point. Drive Spin Down support: YES (UPDATE: Added as of 5.0Beta7) Drive Temp Readings: YES 3TB Drive Support with this card: YES (UPDATE: 5.0Beta7 added 3TB Drive support) Update: Convert your LSI MegaRAID controller card with LSI SAS2008 chipset to a Plain SAS2008 controller card (IT or IR mode), will look and feel like a LSI SAS9211-8i, and will be ready to use with unRAID (BIG THANKS to KKM for creating the empty.bin, so you dont need to have to worry about which sbr to obtain and use.) 1) IBM ServeRAID M1015 (tested successfully) 2) Intel RS2WC080 (tested successfully) Please let me know (PM or post here) what Card you have successfully flashed with the LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008 with the provided zip. LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008(P10).zip - 6.38 MB (DOS, via bootable usb key) LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008(P11).zip - 5.87 MB (DOS, via bootable usb key) Please read the __READMEFIRST.txt file so you are clear as to all the steps and why it is important not to skip any steps. Converting it follows all details in the post above for the LSI SAS2008 chipset (firmware release, support, etc.) Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share Posted June 25, 2012 A few days ago I had the time to mount the drive cages, and here is the proof: Used the original drive bay holes in one of the steel plates: The cardboard is the same size as the motherboard: An extremely nice fit: Distanced the drive holders with a few mm in between, for minimal vibration: Time for some real modding: Original drive holders in a new position, keeping parity and cache disc in place: Quote Link to comment
AT0MAC Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share Posted June 25, 2012 I have decided to buy a IBM M1015 controller to run some of the drives from, since 6 SATA ports on the MB was eventually not enough... Will not receive the card until 7-20 days from now, so all I can do for now is drawing it: It fits just perfectly! Stay tuned for more updates in near future Quote Link to comment
dikkiedirk Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 A "normal" M1015" has a IBM RAID BIOS. When you flash it, most flash it to IT mode, it acts like a normal HBA on mhich you can add 8 SATA drives. Read more here: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12767.0 So for short, I guess it this one I need to focus on?: LSI MegaRAID with SAS2008 chipsets 1) IBM ServeRAID M1015 2) Intel RS2WC080 Please let me know (PM or post here) what Card you have successfully flashed with the LSI MegaRAID SAS2008 chipset with the provided zip. 20.10.1-0037 (APP-2.120.54-1235) / 15-APR-11 Only iMR mode available. LSI MegaRAID SAS2008 Controller.zip - 5.32 MB (Windows) Linux Driver: megaraid_sas - supports the LSI SAS1078, SAS1078 GEN2, SAS1079 GEN2, SAS0073 and SAS0071 chipsets. Though is is an old version indeed. (Thanks to "BRiT"s prior post) unRAID Support: Driver not included at this point. Drive Spin Down support: YES (UPDATE: Added as of 5.0Beta7) Drive Temp Readings: YES 3TB Drive Support with this card: YES (UPDATE: 5.0Beta7 added 3TB Drive support) Update: Convert your LSI MegaRAID controller card with LSI SAS2008 chipset to a Plain SAS2008 controller card (IT or IR mode), will look and feel like a LSI SAS9211-8i, and will be ready to use with unRAID (BIG THANKS to KKM for creating the empty.bin, so you dont need to have to worry about which sbr to obtain and use.) 1) IBM ServeRAID M1015 (tested successfully) 2) Intel RS2WC080 (tested successfully) Please let me know (PM or post here) what Card you have successfully flashed with the LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008 with the provided zip. LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008(P10).zip - 6.38 MB (DOS, via bootable usb key) LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008(P11).zip - 5.87 MB (DOS, via bootable usb key) Please read the __READMEFIRST.txt file so you are clear as to all the steps and why it is important not to skip any steps. Converting it follows all details in the post above for the LSI SAS2008 chipset (firmware release, support, etc.) Correct! I used the (P11) zip. Beware though, you can't use all motherboards to do the flashing. Quote Link to comment
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