Building a new server from scratch...

it will be place in a room.. (not in a closet or basement - i live in an appartement)

it will be used to stream 1080p content on 2-3 xbmc devices...

 

need 24+ drives... (old server got full (and already has 15 drives in a Lian Li PC A 71 case http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-a71/ )

 

Now i m really confused...

 

Case options

a) I ve seen the Lian Li D8000 http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-d8000/

(W) 405mm

(H) 628mm

(D) 572mm

 

that can hold 25 hard drives...

 

b) Lian Li 343b

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/lian_li_pc343_atx_case/1

Dimensions - 515 x 458 x 460 mm

 

Can hold 30!!!! hard drives (via 3 -> 5 cages)

 

c) X Case RM 424 pro

http://www.xcase.co.uk/x-case-rm-424-pro.html

unknown dimensions

can hold 24 hard drives...

(Norco is not an option since i live in europe)

 

 

All of them have their pros and cons..

after much reading i ve narrowed them down to:

 

Lian Li D8000 pros

its Lian Li

Good Looking?

ventilation

minimal additional cost for 3->5 bays (only one is needed)

 

Cons

no fans (maybe its a pro )..

with 25 hard drives there is going to be a mess (so many cables - power - sata)

not so easy to add and remove hard disks (have to open case)

 

Costs: euro 320 + 100 for 1 X 3->5 hard drive cage = 420 euro

 

Lian Li 343B

Pros

Its Lian Li

Good looking

Can hold 30 hard drives..!!

 

Cons

additional cost for adding 6 X 3 -> 5 hard drive bays

with 30 hard drives there is going to be a mess (so many cables - power - sata)

 

Costs: euro 350 + 600 for 6 X 3->5 hard drive cages = 950 euro

 

XCase 424 RM Pro

Pros

no mess with cables

easy add and remove hard disks

Silent Fans are included

 

Cons

Server Case looks

dont know if its suited for a room

(dont know how to place it )...

 

Costs: 650 euro

 

 

Really fellas i would like your opinion on that...

as i ve said Norco is not an option since i live in europe..

 

I would really like to hear from you so i can clear my mind on what case to buy..

(after this i m gonna need your advice on motherboard - sata cards ... hehe... but  i ll take one step at a time)

 

 

The X-Case is very nice, but if you're not going to buy a small server rack for it, a rack-based case can be a real challenge to place (as you know).    I'd consider a mini-rack a mandatory accessory for this ... and a nice mini-rack will cost about as much as the case.

 

The D-8000 doesn't come with fans, but you absolutely need to add them !!  It's designed to position up to 6 120mm fans for blowing across the drives -- and if you're going to install 24 drives, I'd definitely add all 6 fans.

 

I'd go with the D-8000.  If you want to make adding/removing drives easier, add the BP-3 hot-swap backplanes.    Then it's as simple as popping the front panel off (very easy) and the drives just plug/unplug.

 

 

 

..... 

 

i forgot the fans... noob me..

 

thanks for pointing out..

 

+180 euros to the D8000 for at least 6 Noctua Fans (+2 for moving air out of the case )

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Noctua-NF-S12A-PWM-Case-Fan/dp/B00BHCMYIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387487902&sr=8-1&keywords=noctua+120+fan

 

 

I just wanted to be sure you knew that your comment r.e. the fans was NOT correct 

 

no fans (maybe its a pro )..

 

(i.e. it's NOT a "pro" => they're simply not included with the case)

 

 

... also, although Noctua are certainly superb fans, you can get good case fans for significantly less.

 

I've used several of the 1000-1200rpm BitFenix fans, and they're also VERY quiet.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BitFenix-120mm-Spectre-Fan-Black/dp/B004I2KGDM

Supermicro SC847, yeah the sticker will shock you, but 36 bays and includes redundant 1400W power supply, hot swappable redundant fans, etc. Should be available in EU.

 

Used a lot of them and now moved to the 80 bay chassis.

 

I'd consider a mini-rack a mandatory accessory for this ... and a nice mini-rack will cost about as much as the case.

 

You're in Europe, so IKEA should be available. A nice mini-rack can be had for less than the price of dinner!

http://wiki.eth-0.nl/index.php/LackRack

... also, although Noctua are certainly superb fans, you can get good case fans for significantly less.

 

I've used several of the 1000-1200rpm BitFenix fans, and they're also VERY quiet.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BitFenix-120mm-Spectre-Fan-Black/dp/B004I2KGDM

 

Thank you for the info... will definitely try them.. (will buy one for start and if satisfies me will buy the rest)

I just wanted to be sure you knew that your comment r.e. the fans was NOT correct 

 

no fans (maybe its a pro )..

 

(i.e. it's NOT a "pro" => they're simply not included with the case)

 

Saying pro i meant that the cost of the case is not encumbered with something that you do no like

(ie you can buy the fan of your choice, since Lian Li fans do not have good reputation regarding noise)

Supermicro SC847, yeah the sticker will shock you, but 36 bays and includes redundant 1400W power supply, hot swappable redundant fans, etc. Should be available in EU.

 

Used a lot of them and now moved to the 80 bay chassis.

 

sorry cant find a EU shop with Supermicro products...

Nevertheless i see it costs $1500 in USA and its empty?

so probably the price in Europe would be 1300 - 1500 Euro for just the case...

 

It really goes out of my budget

thank you for the input though..

 

I'd consider a mini-rack a mandatory accessory for this ... and a nice mini-rack will cost about as much as the case.

 

You're in Europe, so IKEA should be available. A nice mini-rack can be had for less than the price of dinner!

http://wiki.eth-0.nl/index.php/LackRack

 

Mate that is a wonderful proposal...

 

Xcase got back in game

 

but i cant find the dimensions of this particular case...

I live in Sweden and I got the xcase from UK,  it's a really great case!  The pro modell that is.

While waiting for XCase to tell me the exact dimension of the XCase 424 RM Pro (they responded only about the depth that is 650mm)..

 

Let me share my concers about the choice of motherboard - Sas cards...

 

If i go Lian Li way...

there is an option of

Z87 Extreme11/ac

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z87%20Extreme11ac/

(with 22 sata 3 slots - Raid chip in motherboard costs about 450 euro)

costs about 480 euro

 

If i go xcase way

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z87M%20Extreme4/ (about 100 euro)

 

will this do? to add 3 X M1015 or 3 X Dell H310?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Sealed-Dell-PERC-H310-8-Port-6Gb-s-SAS-SATA-w-RAID-0-1-5-10-50-9211-8i-/261356397624?pt=US_Computer_Disk_Controllers_RAID_Cards&hash=item3cda0e2438

 

55 euro each... (165 euro for controllers + 100 for the above motherboard = 265 total)

 

maybe use this approach for LiaLi case too...

 

or you have some other alternative?

 

Buying a 16port card is really expensive (300 euro for the adaptec 71605h) but if you tell me that is really necessary, will do..

 

Btw supermicro motherboards - controllers are not an option (mostly unavailable in EU... or too expensive if found)

(Supermicro C7Z87-OC- Socket 1150 -i3,i5,i7 Gen 4 - 6 x Pci express

http://www.xcase.co.uk/component-parts/server-workstation-boards/supermicro-c7z87-oc-socket-1150-i3-i5-i7-gen-4-6-x-pci-express.html

 

costs about 240 gbp = 392 usd!!! in EU)

 

Would love to hear your thoughts..

Thank you for your time..

 

 

 

I live in Sweden and I got the xcase from UK,  it's a really great case!  The pro modell that is.

 

can you please tell me the exact dimensions? (if possible....  )

 

NVM a great guy PMed me..

Dimensions for Xcase are

43.7cm wide (without handles) or 48.2cm wide including handles.

18.5cm height

66.5cm length without handles or 68.2cm length including handles (raw case, without any cable plugged)

 

So i think it can fit in IKEA Rack Table..

I live in Sweden and I got the xcase from UK,  it's a really great case!  The pro modell that is.

 

What about noise from the fans? (424 rm pro)...

I live in Sweden and I got the xcase from UK,  it's a really great case!  The pro modell that is.

 

What about noise from the fans? (424 rm pro)...

 

The video from X-Case has a pretty good overview of the noise level from the fans ... it seems VERY low for a server case.    Not something you'd want right next to your viewing area; but certainly nothing like a typical server case.  The oversize 120mm fans they use run at very low rpm's unless the system senses a need for more airflow -- which is unlikely.

 

Its true i ve watched the video...

 

But feedback from an actual user is most valuable and welcome

 

Any comments on motherboard - raid card choices?

 

 

Agree -- feedback from someone who actually has the X-Case AND has 24 drives mounted would be helpful.

 

The "Lack Rack" arrangement ... mounting a rack case in an Ikea Lack side table ... is an interesting idea; but I'm not sure I'd trust the weight of a fully loaded 4U case with 24 drives.    Most of the examples have switches; audio amps; etc. mounted in them.    This is FAR less weight than a loaded X-Case server would be.    It's PROBABLY okay ... and it certainly looks neat      Certainly worth giving it a shot -- the tables are only $10.

 

I've got a 24 and 12 drive case on a Lack Rack like this, and I don't sense any instability. (This is an old picture, most of the drive bays are filled up now, but still seems very stable)

 

 

 

 

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It is an interesting way to mount a rack-mount cage.  I'd prefer an actual rack where I can slide the case out on the rails ... but for a very inexpensive way to mount it, the "Lack Rack" does seem to do the trick 

Yep brilliant idea to have another LackRack to support the weight of the XCase 

Yeah it's a massive pain if I need to access the insides, since I have to take everything off. But for $16 for two, I'm willing to put up with it!

 

 

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Agree $16 is a nice price 

 

But I'd far prefer an actual rack.  I've used both of these for systems I've helped friends build ... and would use either for myself if I need a rack:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215002

http://www.showmecables.com/product/1932-3-201-12.aspx?zmam=49733141&zmac=5&zmas=1&zmap=1932-3-201-12&gclid=CJTz4KTYw7sCFWJo7AodtxgAgg

 

I prefer the enclosed rack, but both are on rollers and work well with rails -- so you can both roll the equipment if needed; and very easily pull out the cases to get to the "innards" if/when needed.

 

Granted a few hundred $$ isn't $16 ... but when you consider what you're paying for a 24-drive system it's not much of a difference to use an actual rack.

 

... note also that you can find some very good deals on used racks if you look at your local Craigslist or newspaper ads.    They are also often available on e-bay, but the shipping cots can (understandably) be pretty high for this type of equipment, so finding one locally is a better option.

 

I found a VERY nice glass-door-equipped half-height rack in a doctor's office that was closing down for only $200 (this costs about $650 new).

 

Is it possible to make xcase stand vertically?