As my latest issues seem to be revolving around SATA cabling again - I am looking to bring forward my long term plans to relocate my server into a new case and new location. I have permission from the wife - so I can mount the new server on the wall in the workshop/garage. I am looking at a logic case sc-4324 (which is pretty much the same as a norco rpc-4224). From the look of it, the case itself weights in at around 18kg - I know my current case (Fractal Design Define XL) weighs about 16kg and with the 16 drives in it is a really weighty beast.

 

My question is - how heavy will it be when fully populated - I need to design and build a shelf for the server to sit on and any guidance from you fellows who have been here would be much appreciated as the last thing I need is for the server to come crashing down to the floor!

Depends mostly on the disks used, usually from 600 to 800g each, depending on the model itself but mostly on the number of platters.

20 minutes ago, johnnie.black said:

Depends mostly on the disks used, usually from 600 to 800g each, depending on the model itself but mostly on the number of platters.

This is true - I was thinking allowing say 800g per drive and at least 24 drives - 19.2kg added to the 19kg case gives 40kg - plus PSU etc so a good 45kg allowance should do the trick - I was hoping someone with the real world experience would be able to chime in...

My 13 WD-Red's have ~ 8,9kg - the Case has 8,2kg and the PowerSupply has at least 3kg. I guess, the whole server with cables has ~ 22-24kg.

Edited January 4, 20188 yr by Zonediver

I know I nearly gave myself a hernia carrying my server up the stairs when I moved house.
But it had 16 drives in it and is a bit of a beast.

Any way you can (rack) mount it/move it then load it with drives? Only asking as I'm not familiar with the case.

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

17 minutes ago, CHBMB said:

Any way you can (rack) mount it/move it then load it with drives? Only asking as I'm not familiar with the case.

It's definitely an advantage to be able to move the case first and then plug in the drives.

 

It's lighter to operate the case without the disks, and in case of an accident, all drives will not have to suffer any impact damages.

 

Also - it means the heavy computer doesn't need to be moved if at a later stage one or more drives needs to be replaced.

 

So I definitely recommend that you make use of hot-plug drive cages in the build.

1 hour ago, Zonediver said:

My 13 WD-Red's have ~ 8,9kg - the Case has 8,2kg and the PowerSupply has at least 3kg. I guess, the whole server with cables has ~ 22-24kg.

 

1 hour ago, CHBMB said:

I know I nearly gave myself a hernia carrying my server up the stairs when I moved house.
But it had 16 drives in it and is a bit of a beast.

Any way you can (rack) mount it/move it then load it with drives? Only asking as I'm not familiar with the case.

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
 

 

1 hour ago, pwm said:

It's definitely an advantage to be able to move the case first and then plug in the drives.

 

It's lighter to operate the case without the disks, and in case of an accident, all drives will not have to suffer any impact damages.

 

Also - it means the heavy computer doesn't need to be moved if at a later stage one or more drives needs to be replaced.

 

So I definitely recommend that you make use of hot-plug drive cages in the build.

Thanks for the answers. The case has 24 hot-swap caddies in the front so I will definitely be fitting the beast and then adding the drives so at least I will still have my back intact...Just concerned about making sure it is in one piece after I fit the last drive!

I had to have a friend help me rack my servers.   One chassis alone weighs like 70lb.  And that's before adding the drives.

Edited January 4, 20188 yr by TUMS

10 hours ago, aspdend said:

My question is - how heavy will it be when fully populated - I need to design and build a shelf for the server to sit on and any guidance from you fellows who have been here would be much appreciated as the last thing I need is for the server to come crashing down to the floor!

 

Buy a small open rack - they hold like 2000 lbs  

 

But I would budget about 85 - 100lbs for the server with hard drives installed (40lbs for the chassis and 1.5lbs per drive).

 

Also, I recommend you have good access to the back of the server - it's nice to be able to cable the back of the server without removing it.

Edited January 4, 20188 yr by coolspot

On 04/01/2018 at 8:38 PM, coolspot said:

 

Buy a small open rack - they hold like 2000 lbs  

 

But I would budget about 85 - 100lbs for the server with hard drives installed (40lbs for the chassis and 1.5lbs per drive).

 

Also, I recommend you have good access to the back of the server - it's nice to be able to cable the back of the server without removing it.

thanks for the input - sort of where I was thinking ballpark-wise...

Actually, with a bit of re-arrangement of the workshop/garage to accommodate the new bikes our boys got for Christmas I have freed up a pair of small wooden storage units. I think I will fix them together and add some bracing to the legs and top and use that - with the benefit of being able to use the lower tiers for more storage of tools and other general bits and bobs...

New case has ow arrived, now just waiting for the new HBA card and cables then I'm good to start the process...