5 ms·

Look at purchasing used enterprise hardware. You can buy a reliable x9 or X10 generation supermicro server (rack or tower) for around a couple of hundred.

by zhdc1 6y ago

ashkankiani 6y ago
I've been planning to do this, but enterprise hardware seems like it requires a completely different set of knowledge on how to purchase it and maintain it, and especially as a consumer. It's not quite as trivial of a barrier to entry as consumer desktops, but I suppose that's the point. Still, it would be nice if there was a guide that could help me make good decisions to start.
- jqcoffey 6y ago
  Also, purpose built data center chassis are designed for high airflow and are thus really quite loud.
  - modoc 6y ago
    Very true. I have a single rack mount server in my HVAC room, and it's still so loud I had to glue soundproofing foam on the nearby walls:)
- gogopuppygogo 6y ago
  Most people who get into home labs spend some time on research and throw some money at gaining an education. Compute is so cheap second hand.
- bombcar 6y ago
  It’s actually much EASIER in my experience- enterprise gear is made to be easily reparable and most if not all parts can be swapped without tools. Loud though - most of them run pretty quiet if not doing anything.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
igorstellar 6y ago
Downside of buying enterprise for home use is noise - their turbofan coolers are insanely loud while consumer grade 120mm (Noctua et al) coolers are most quiet.
- girvo 6y ago
  Would swapping them out for Noctuas be difficult?
  - alvern 6y ago
    I've not been successful trying this with HPE servers. Most server fans (Foxconn/Delta) run 2.8 amp or higher. Not aware of any "silent" gaming grade fans that use more than 0.38 amps. That's not even considering the CFM.
    - weehoo 6y ago
      Why would current be relevant here? Shouldn’t operating voltage be the only thing that matters?
      - sokoloff 6y ago
        Amps * Volts is power. Power is a proxy (a moderately good one) for air movement (a mix of volume/mass at a specific [back-]pressure). It’s not likely that a silent 2W fan will move a similar amount of air as the stock 14W fans. The enterprise gear from HPE is pretty well engineered; I’m skeptical that they over-designed the fans by a 7x factor. Operating voltage tells you “this fan won’t burn up when you plug it in”. It doesn’t tell you “will keep the components cool”.
  - cfn 6y ago
    Mostly yes because server chassis are very compact and sometimes use proprietary connectors and fans. Still, many people have done that with good results, have a look in YouTube to know which server models are best suited for that kind of customization.
- 6y ago

Look at purchasing used enterprise hardware. You can buy a reliable x9 or X10 generation supermicro server (rack or tower) for around a couple of hundred.

by zhdc1 6y ago

Look at purchasing used enterprise hardware. You can buy a reliable x9 or X10 generation supermicro server (rack or tower) for around a couple of hundred.

ashkankiani 6y ago

I've been planning to do this, but enterprise hardware seems like it requires a completely different set of knowledge on how to purchase it and maintain it, and especially as a consumer. It's not quite as trivial of a barrier to entry as consumer desktops, but I suppose that's the point. Still, it would be nice if there was a guide that could help me make good decisions to start.

jqcoffey 6y ago
Also, purpose built data center chassis are designed for high airflow and are thus really quite loud.
- modoc 6y ago
  Very true. I have a single rack mount server in my HVAC room, and it's still so loud I had to glue soundproofing foam on the nearby walls:)
gogopuppygogo 6y ago
Most people who get into home labs spend some time on research and throw some money at gaining an education. Compute is so cheap second hand.
bombcar 6y ago
It’s actually much EASIER in my experience- enterprise gear is made to be easily reparable and most if not all parts can be swapped without tools. Loud though - most of them run pretty quiet if not doing anything.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

igorstellar 6y ago

Downside of buying enterprise for home use is noise - their turbofan coolers are insanely loud while consumer grade 120mm (Noctua et al) coolers are most quiet.

girvo 6y ago
Would swapping them out for Noctuas be difficult?
- alvern 6y ago
  I've not been successful trying this with HPE servers. Most server fans (Foxconn/Delta) run 2.8 amp or higher. Not aware of any "silent" gaming grade fans that use more than 0.38 amps. That's not even considering the CFM.
  - weehoo 6y ago
    Why would current be relevant here? Shouldn’t operating voltage be the only thing that matters?
    - sokoloff 6y ago
      Amps * Volts is power. Power is a proxy (a moderately good one) for air movement (a mix of volume/mass at a specific [back-]pressure). It’s not likely that a silent 2W fan will move a similar amount of air as the stock 14W fans. The enterprise gear from HPE is pretty well engineered; I’m skeptical that they over-designed the fans by a 7x factor. Operating voltage tells you “this fan won’t burn up when you plug it in”. It doesn’t tell you “will keep the components cool”.
- cfn 6y ago
  Mostly yes because server chassis are very compact and sometimes use proprietary connectors and fans. Still, many people have done that with good results, have a look in YouTube to know which server models are best suited for that kind of customization.
6y ago