My Custom Case Build | Bitcointalksearch.org

Meech

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Activity: 924

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Quote from: CartmanSPC on August 05, 2015, 07:36:07 PM

Thought I should post that I have finally (about a month ago) retired this system. It has been shut down and is in the process of being dismantled. For most of it's life it was mining scrypt but towards the end when the GPU fans gave out (and they ALL gave out eventually) it was transitioned to X11.

One of the power supplies has found a new home in an A2 Mega Terminator. More info on that here: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/my-a2-mega-terminator-ax1200i-power-supply-transplant-1145159

This being a hobby I do not really track profits/loss but without a doubt it has made many times over the cost to build...but if you factor in my normal hourly bill rate I'm not so sure. Wink

The GPU rigs were something to behold, they were affordable and available to everyone. Thanks for your efforts.

CartmanSPC

legendary

Activity: 1270

Merit: 1000

Thought I should post that I have finally (about a month ago) retired this system. It has been shut down and is in the process of being dismantled. For most of it's life it was mining scrypt but towards the end when the GPU fans gave out (and they ALL gave out eventually) it was transitioned to X11.

One of the power supplies has found a new home in an A2 Mega Terminator. More info on that here: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/my-a2-mega-terminator-ax1200i-power-supply-transplant-1145159

This being a hobby I do not really track profits/loss but without a doubt it has made many times over the cost to build...but if you factor in my normal hourly bill rate I'm not so sure. Wink

CartmanSPC

legendary

Activity: 1270

Merit: 1000

Looks like Spotswood has made a version of his 80/20 cases similar to my design.

If I need another GPU case this is a nice option to have. Hope this thread helped in some way Roll Eyes

Good job!
http://richchomiczewski.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/new-deep-open-air-mining-tray/

I would probably recommend it be made it a bit longer though. I made the mistake of making it too short as well.

My new project: https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/my-custom-gridseed-case-build-499132

The Goat Master

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Activity: 868

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Quote from: SosDk on January 07, 2014, 09:10:33 AM

Very nice build - really gives me something to think about....build my own alu, pvc or buy.

Yeah!

If you wanted to you could play games, maybe hookup a 1080p monitor and load up portal

CartmanSPC

legendary

Activity: 1270

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Quote from: cyclops on January 07, 2014, 04:34:19 PM

Quote from: CartmanSPC on January 07, 2014, 02:32:55 PM

Quote from: cyclops on January 06, 2014, 06:19:11 PM

Fantastic Build, but how do you manage to boot all the cards without display? Dummy plug?

It's hard to see but I have a Displayport to VGA adaptor in GPU0. That is going to an IP KVM.

I see, so in theory with one dummy plug all the GPUs will work right?

I have never tried to run it without a monitor plugged into GPU0 so I really don't know. One tip....when using a Mini Displayport to VGA adaptor make sure it is an "Active" adaptor. Passive adaptors (like the one Apple sells) will only give you a resolution of 640x480. Knowing that would of saved me some frustration and a few trips to the store!

cyclops

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Quote from: CartmanSPC on January 07, 2014, 02:32:55 PM

Quote from: cyclops on January 06, 2014, 06:19:11 PM

Fantastic Build, but how do you manage to boot all the cards without display? Dummy plug?

It's hard to see but I have a Displayport to VGA adaptor in GPU0. That is going to an IP KVM.

I see, so in theory with one dummy plug all the GPUs will work right?

CartmanSPC

legendary

Activity: 1270

Merit: 1000

Quote from: cyclops on January 06, 2014, 06:19:11 PM

Fantastic Build, but how do you manage to boot all the cards without display? Dummy plug?

It's hard to see but I have a Displayport to VGA adaptor in GPU0. That is going to an IP KVM.

Quote from: rext on January 07, 2014, 04:04:58 AM

Looks fantastic man Cart, amazing, love the twin fan setup

I know huh? Did not realize the two 200mm fans would fit so well. Imagine if they were embedded into the frame design? That would have been cool.

Quote from: SosDk on January 07, 2014, 09:10:33 AM

Very nice build - really gives me something to think about....build my own alu, pvc or buy.

If I had the option to buy I would. Building the case was fun but a lot of work...especially for someone who has not picked up a power tool in 15+ years. At the time I started there was not a case option that fit into a 19" rack. I still don't think there is one available. I looked at farming out the work but was getting quotes in the $400 range.

I stared this thread because the guys in IRC asked that I document the build. I tried to post what I learned in the process. It is also nice to have something to reference if I build another one.

If you have the time, patience and tools to make one yourself go for it! Please post pictures

SosDk

newbie

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Very nice build - really gives me something to think about....build my own alu, pvc or buy.

rext

full member

Activity: 378

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Looks fantastic man Cart, amazing, love the twin fan setup

Kergekoin

hero member

Activity: 546

Merit: 500

Dummy plug problem is few years old already. Cheesy

cyclops

legendary

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Fantastic Build, but how do you manage to boot all the cards without display? Dummy plug?

CartmanSPC

legendary

Activity: 1270

Merit: 1000

Quote from: cp1 on January 06, 2014, 05:06:13 PM

I wonder what another two at the other side and enclosing the case would do.

That was my original plan...would be interesting to see!

Datacenter has not complained about the open rig yet but if they do I may have to enclose it.

cp1

hero member

Activity: 616

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Stop using branwallets

I wonder what another two at the other side and enclosing the case would do.

CartmanSPC

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Quote from: CartmanSPC on December 05, 2013, 05:38:05 PM

6 GPUs may be the max this case will support utilizing just the stock GPU fans. 7 may make them too cramped to allow adequate airflow.

So with 6 GPUs the temps were getting into the low 80's even with the GPU fans bumped up to 90%. It was time to figure out a way to cool the GPUs some more so I decided to try adding auxiliary fans.

It blew me away how much this helped!

(2) 200mm fans and GPU fans back down to 80%:

From left to right GPU#s: 2 0 3 4 5 1

These 200mm fans fit almost perfect. I could drill holes to secure them but will most likely just use zip ties. If I ever make another case I may try to fit them inside the space between the front/back (depending on how you look at it) of the case and the GPUs.

Yes, they are blowing air at the GPU exhaust vents since these particular models mostly expel air the other way. They are plugged into motherboard fan connectors and are not running at full speed. Very happy with the results and surprised that it helped as much as it did.

CartmanSPC

legendary

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Thanks zedicus!

I have enough clearance to have just a bit of space between the CPU fan and bottom of the PCIe riser cards. On the top side there is enough to clear the power cables in case I decided to enclose the case with a top.

Currently the cards are not secured to the inner frame. They are just resting on it. In earlier pictures I showed and had planned to secure the cards with another piece of aluminum but the spacing for it was lost due to the rivet being too low. Not a big deal as it will not need to be moved but when it does the GPUs will need to be removed.

6 GPUs may be the max this case will support utilizing just the stock GPU fans. 7 may make them too cramped to allow adequate airflow.

zedicus

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Nice case man! How much clearance you got above the mobo? I see you got the risers folded ..

and how are you securing the cards are you using an inner frame just for the gpus.. is that the metal i see on the sides?

I was thinking of doing this and i ended up just grabbing a pre fab..

Cheers

CartmanSPC

legendary

Activity: 1270

Merit: 1000

Finally got another card installed for a total of 6. I am at my power limit (15.656 amps) so this will be it until I can get more utility power.

MerchantMiner

newbie

Activity: 56

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Quote from: ZetaOS on October 07, 2013, 07:32:58 PM

love to see this rig of yours whit this cards instead of videocards.
http://virtualminingcorp.com/shop1/img/p/5/5/55-thickbox_default.jpg

or...

http://thegenesisblock.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bfl_monarch.png

These cards dont exist and they never will , cant you tell the fasthash stuff is fake and photoshopped lol people beware of scammers. BFL cant make that card its too powerfull for the size of the tech that exists and cooling it would need min water cooling tower.

Have a word with ya self lol

ZetaOS

full member

Activity: 140

Merit: 100

love to see this rig of yours whit this cards instead of videocards.

or...

Zeek_W

sr. member

Activity: 336

Merit: 250

In my head I like to read this thread with the post dates a year prior and marvell at it lol.

In all seriousness - great setup! If all else fails you can use it as a render farm or rent for WPA cracking

Topic: My Custom Case Build (Read 21410 times)