Hi,


Is it true that I need special "smaller" RAM or inclined DIMM slot (like the Tyan server boards) to have the RAM fit in a small 1U case?


Thank you,


Cedric

Nope, not true at all. You just need to make sure you dont get the "extra large" RAM. Standard SDRAM will/should work.

that's a really good question. For me, the question regarding RAM in building 1U server has been the greatest of all.

Yes, mostly you will need a memory module less than 1.1" (that's 1.1 inches) tall. At 1.13" it may still work. If you can get a "low profile" memory (less than 1.03" tall), that will be better. At 1.13", there is a very little clearance...

I have been looking around for this low profile memory, it seems hard to get. Kingmax TinyBGA does seem to be a great candidate for this low profile memory (too bad, it only comes with PC133 non ECC CL3), at just less than 1" tall. Another maker: Simple Technologies does manufactur "low profile" memory. Also, I heard Crucial (Micron) does have this too....

Anyway, the other option is to use motherboards with inclined DIMM slots (So called "1U certified" motherboards), and then most memory would fit into the 1U case... Of course, these motherboards will cost you more...

So... does anybody have a list where we can buy a low profile memory? I would be really interested have such a list :)

cheers,
:beer:

Originally posted by WeinBar
Nope, not true at all. You just need to make sure you dont get the "extra large" RAM. Standard SDRAM will/should work.

what is "Extra large" ? :) The easiest way is to just ask the seller/manufactur whether they have memory modules less than 1.1" tall (At most 1.13"). If yes, then you can use it... Otherwise, you will need to find a low profile memory.... :)

BTW, Mich... can you share where you get these memory modules that will easily fit into 1U chasis? Among all parts that I buy, memory always comes last and it always gives me the biggest headache :( I want a brand name memory (Micorn, etc) but also low enough to fit into 1U case....

Even harder, has anyone found 1x512MB ECC (or non ECC) memory that will fit under 1U case? Let me know if you have ran across with such memory.. :)

cheers,
:beer:

I know that you need ECC w/ registered (or buffered) SDRAM for Serverworks chipset motherboards like Tyan S2510 or Asus CUR-DLS and these memories tend to get taller than non-ECC/registered modules.

So, if your motherboard is a Serverworks chipset then you need something like Tyan w/ slanted or angled DIMM slots or low profile DIMMs for other boards. I know that <<EDIT>> has 256M ECC Registered DIMMs that are low frofile but I'm not sure about 512M.

There are short modules upto 512M that fits in to 1U chassis for sure that are just PC133 (non ECC/Registered).

I hope this helps...

Brian

oops.... no adverstising/self promotion on a non-advertisement forum ... read the forum rules (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/misc.php?action=forum-rules)... :D

Anyway, thanks for the info! :)

cheers,
:beer:

http://www.mushkin.com/cgi-bin/Mushkin.filereader?3af8d7f30418bda4273f0a00010205dc+EN/catalogs/4666

Mushkin.com has *some* low profile memory for rackmounts... Only 128mb and 256mb modules though, PC100 ECC and non-ECC...

They do make good memory..

Mushkin is good, but I think their memory is priced too expensively. I can get Micron for 60% of their price. Also too bad, I prefer PC133 ... Anyhow, I don't consider 1.15" as a low profile memory. I though Low profile memory needs to be less than 1.03" ?

cheers,
:beer:

I recently (2 weeks ago) built 3 1U servers using Intel i815 motherboards....

I had no problem with FULL SIZE Micron 256MB DIMM modules. It was close (I looked with a flashlight after case top was on)...

I agree with Michael, as long as you avoid the "extra large" size and stick with "full size" or smaller, you should be OK. If you purchase RAM all the time, you should know what I mean :)

My case had pretty low standoffs, so some cases may differ...

Stephen

Stephen,

what is the height? (any picture?). I think the tallest memory module that Micron has is about 1.4" tall... surely you don't imply this would fit into the case? Also, where did you buy your memory, if we may know? :)

thanks and cheers,
:beer:

monkeys.....!!!!!!!!!!

:D

Here is a photo:

http://www.RoundSparrow.com/Net/CoLocation/1USystem1/Motherboard-InCase-CpuFanRAM-Photo01-Crop1.jpg

This is the motherboard installed in my 1U case (you can see it is screwed down to the fixed standoffs).

The RAM modules are standard Crucial (Micron) PC133 CAS2 256MB -- they are NOT low profile, they are "standard" size. It is the same RAM modules I have ordered multiple times over the past 4 months from Crucial (and all have been identical in size). Part number CT32M64S4D7E .

After I put the top "lid" on my case, I pushed down on it and used a pen flashlight to peer into the case to make sure the top was not touching the RAM. Very close, but still not touching.

Maybe there is some confusion because not all "Micron" RAM is the same. Other companies take Micron Chips and put them on their on PCB's...

And again, all 1U cases are not the same... mine has pretty low standoffs.... they are fixed (welded?) and not removable.

Here is one more photo, a side profile of the low-profile Golden Orb to provide perspective:
http://www.roundsparrow.com/Net/CoLocation/1USystem1/HeatSink-LowOrb-Photo01-Crop1.jpg

I did not have the RAM installed at the point I took this picture.... but compared with the previous photo, it should show what I mean by "standard size DIMM" modules.

One more thing... I even put in a Kingston 128MB PC100 module with the lid on for one of the three systems... it was the same size as the Crucial.... "standard DIMM".

Here, I dug through my 200 photos I took, I found ONE that has a picture of the Crucial DIMM next to the power supply, you can pretty clearly see that it fits.

-- Photo showing that standard DIMM SDRAM fits 1U case --
http://RoundSparrow.com/Net/CoLocation/1USystem1/Motherboard-InCase-StandardDIMM-Photo1-Crop1.jpg

I wasn't trying to take pictures for specific case of RAM fit, lucky I got one photo that shows it.

Obviously low-profile RAM would work, but I'm trying to do this to save money, not waste it... I was pretty happy with the results -- this is my first set of 1U servers. I used the wrong motherboard, but my wife helped me hacksaw the case (not joking) :) It was a pretty minor mod. We found the correct model of the motherboard in Dallas on Saturday. The correct motherboard will be used on the next batch of these servers (no need to hack the case). ((The two motherboards are identical except for where the ports are on the back of the case))

BTW, I charge by the hour to do this documentation :)

-- Stephen Gutknecht
-- Renton, Washington (Seattle)

I am building some more servers today (MISTUS project) and ordered some more Crucial RAM... today it went down to $80 for 256MB PC133 CAS2 (same stuff shown in the photos, exact model).

Wow.

DDR PC2100 is about the same price.

Man, what I was paying just 4 months ago :) Let alone what I was paying last July ($150 for 128MB PC100 CAS2).

Crucial = Micron factor store, best quality available.

Isn't CPUfan taller than RAM ?

Well, you need to have special CPU Fan too, and of course it's called "low profile fan" :D

The fan is very thin, I would say around 1" thick. I will suggest Thermaltake (low profile) Golden Orb. Or if you have retail Intel CPU, you can ask Intel to switch the fan that comes with the CPU with Intel's own low profile fan. Otherwise, Golden Orb works beautifully...

Also, it's not that hard to find this low profile fan; and usually you can order the low profile fan together with the case anyhow...

Stephen, thanks for the update... gee, that's really a great price! especially since it's PC133 CAS2... But I am still worry that that RAM modules won't fit inside my 1U case since the last time I tried to use similar memory modules, I was pretty sure it did not clear the case. I guess I will give it a try again..

cheers,
:beer:

Here is a photo of the low profile Golden Orb heatsink/fan.

http://www.roundsparrow.com/Net/CoLocation/1USystem1/HeatSink-LowOrb-Photo01-Crop1.jpg

Intel is supposed to provide you one for free upon request (not a Golden Orb but their own)... but given how long Intel can take to mail things, I went with the orb :) I have a pile of extra heatsinks I may trade with Intel just to see what their low-profile fan looks like. I don't belive I have ever seen one.

OK, I put together some more systems last week and this time I took special pictures to document the RAM fit.

It is hard to show 3D, but the RAM is higher than the power supply (PSU) on my system... but lower than the case body. I put a ruler from the RAM to the edge of the case body, and from the side it is clear that there is an angle and the case body is higher.

The motherboards I am using for this batch of servers has a very high port riser (shown beyond the post-in note under the ruler, left of the pink ports). That port riser is actually the highest thing on these servers... it just BARELY fits below the case body.

Picture show that Crucial (Micron factory direct) RAM fitting on a Intel motherboard in a 1U case:
http://www.roundsparrow.com/Net/CoLocation/1USystem1/Case-RAMHeight1-Crop1.jpg

Here is a picture of one of our systems. A company called Kentron makes extremely high quality registered ECC Dimms modules for low-profile requirements. Top notch stuff. www.kentron.com They even have the 1GB modules for the ServerWorks chipset boards.
Also, heatsink and fan..... The best units I have found to date are the ElanVital turbine/copper units. They run the PIII FCPGA's about 20 degrees farenheit cooler than the standard Intel boxed units. Check them out, they are in the box. You can take a look at them closely here. (Not for advertising. Just for reference.) Their website is www.elanvital.com.tw
http://www.elanvital.com.tw/products/thermal/FSS1B3.htm

What do you guys think about Evanvital 1U server case , worth to buy ?

IPC , do you know another company like Evan that sell rackmount case worldwide (distributed in asia like hongkong, singapore preferable) ? I can't buy it from US while living outside as the shipping cost is very high ($200+)

Corsair sell low profile DIMMs, can't remember what modules now though, but I think they went up to 512MB. If the low-pro orbs are anything like the blue orbs then they are a certifiable POS. Alpha make a 1U heat sink and fan combo which is aprently quite good, as is the cooler here: http://www.bit-tech.net/?page=article&id=65

Your best bet is to get a board with angled DIMM slots, they aren't all that much more and all decent server boards have angled slots anyway, well at least the Supermicro boards we use do.

Looking at this forum maybe I missed something... Not once did you say the brand of the machine... What kinda machine is it? It varies for almost every brand of 1U Server, tell me the machines name or model, and I will tell you exactly what you need. It really shouldn't be made more complex than that..