multiple PC boxes, setup, cooling, logistics

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08-19-2013, 11:52 PM
Darm

multiple PC boxes, setup, cooling, logistics

I'm thinking of buying some new hardware, and typically I will 5 box. I know that it isn't all that difficult to put together a a solid PC that can handle 5 boxes of your game of choice, but for various reasons I just like having 1 dedicated machine for each instance of the game I'm playing. Occasionally I will 10 box and from a hardware horsepower standpoint transitioning from 5 box to 10 box isn't that hard.

There are some logistical problems that come with having 5 PCs.

- Noise
- Heat
- Lots of cables

Heat is really the biggest issue. My current office isn't huge, so it is a little warmer in there.

Possible solutions:

a) Has anyone placed their PCs in another room? I've been trying to figure out what the maximum distance for USB or HDMI cables are or whether extenders exist for those.

b) Is there a combination of ultra-quiet and ultra-cool hardware that I should know about?

c) Since I'm running only 1 (and occasoinally 2) instances per box, I could just go with laptops and use external monitors. Less noise and less heat generally (although not always).

d) Is there a such thing as a cooling rack for a PC? I know about server racks, but I don't think that is really what I'm looking for. My google-fu isn't helping me here.

Any help?
08-20-2013, 03:51 AM
Sam DeathWalker

http://www.quietpcusa.com/default.aspx I have 6 full size pc and screens (23 or so inches) I built my rack from pipes ... Each computer has a 120mm fan pointing at the video card, 120 in power supply and 120 on the cpu. I run the cases open. You need to just make sure the room has decent ventilation to remove the hot air. A skylight would be excellent with a large fan in it to blow out the hot air.
08-20-2013, 08:44 AM
RSM72

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darm

There are some logistical problems that come with having 5 PCs.

- Noise
- Heat
- Lots of cables

If those are your main concerns with the solution then seriously you should consider going with a single box and probably a second (passive) incase you need the performance for 10 clients.

Since you seem to have reasons for running a single client per machine could you please give us those reasons?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darm

b) Is there a combination of ultra-quiet and ultra-cool hardware that I should know about?

The usual solution to that problem is watercooling with using an oversized radiator and multiple large (slow running) fans.
08-20-2013, 11:34 AM
Nitro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darm

I'm thinking of buying some new hardware, and typically I will 5 box. I know that it isn't all that difficult to put together a a solid PC that can handle 5 boxes of your game of choice, but for various reasons I just like having 1 dedicated machine for each instance of the game I'm playing. Occasionally I will 10 box and from a hardware horsepower standpoint transitioning from 5 box to 10 box isn't that hard.

There are some logistical problems that come with having 5 PCs.

- Noise
- Heat
- Lots of cables

Heat is really the biggest issue. My current office isn't huge, so it is a little warmer in there.

Possible solutions:

a) Has anyone placed their PCs in another room? I've been trying to figure out what the maximum distance for USB or HDMI cables are or whether extenders exist for those.

b) Is there a combination of ultra-quiet and ultra-cool hardware that I should know about?

c) Since I'm running only 1 (and occasoinally 2) instances per box, I could just go with laptops and use external monitors. Less noise and less heat generally (although not always).

d) Is there a such thing as a cooling rack for a PC? I know about server racks, but I don't think that is really what I'm looking for. My google-fu isn't helping me here.

Any help?

I moved my PC's to the garage, no more heat and noise issues. http://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/4...ht=server+rack
08-20-2013, 10:21 PM
Darm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSM72

If those are your main concerns with the solution then seriously you should consider going with a single box and probably a second (passive) incase you need the performance for 10 clients.

Since you seem to have reasons for running a single client per machine could you please give us those reasons?

Sure, every now and then I will have a friend or two pop over for an extended gaming session. It's nice to have a dedicated PC for them to play along with my team. Admittedly, this is a rare occurence but it's fun when it happens.

Quote:

The usual solution to that problem is watercooling with using an oversized radiator and multiple large (slow running) fans.

It looks like I need to educate myself more about this, so I appreciate having this confirmed. Thank you for the response!
08-20-2013, 10:22 PM
Darm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam DeathWalker

http://www.quietpcusa.com/default.aspx I have 6 full size pc and screens (23 or so inches) I built my rack from pipes ... Each computer has a 120mm fan pointing at the video card, 120 in power supply and 120 on the cpu. I run the cases open. You need to just make sure the room has decent ventilation to remove the hot air. A skylight would be excellent with a large fan in it to blow out the hot air.

I hadn't run across that link, thank you, Sam.
08-20-2013, 10:30 PM
Darm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitro

I moved my PC's to the garage, no more heat and noise issues. http://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/4...ht=server+rack

Wow, Nitro. That looks awesome.

You mention that you put all the PC guts into the server rack.. I've never done that before. I've been able to build my own boxes, but is putting them together inside the server rack a straight forward process? If I go to look for a server rack like yours, is any server rack serviceable or do I have to look for something specific for what I presume is a non-traditional use of a server rack?
08-23-2013, 11:44 AM
Nitro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darm

Wow, Nitro. That looks awesome.

You mention that you put all the PC guts into the server rack.. I've never done that before. I've been able to build my own boxes, but is putting them together inside the server rack a straight forward process? If I go to look for a server rack like yours, is any server rack serviceable or do I have to look for something specific for what I presume is a non-traditional use of a server rack?

If you have built your own boxes then t should be easy enough, putting your stuff in a rackmount case is not much different than any other case you may have used.

I used these cases: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you start looking for a server cabinet be sure to search on craigslist and your local pc recycle shops, just make sure the cabinet is deep enough for the cases you buy (most should be).