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[qps]

Does anyone know of a good supplier of these cases? They're specifically designed with Micro ATX motherboards in mind and are significantly smaller than the typical Mid Tower case.

[cwl@apaqdigital]

Originally posted by QuickPacket
Does anyone know of a good supplier of these cases? They're specifically designed with Micro ATX motherboards in mind and are significantly smaller than the typical Mid Tower case.

there are lots of so-called 'book-size' or 'slim-size' PC chassis which can only takes microATX board, and they are significantly smaller than regular tower cases, but not necessarily cheaper.

Aopen makes some good ones, and they are widely available:
http://usa.aopen.com/products/housin..._pc_Slimpc.htm

[cwl@apaqdigital]

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_list.asp?class=npc
MSI (microstar) also makes some nice slim PC barebones (3.3"x 12.2" x 13.6") which are very suitbale for bread rack.

[qps]

Since you're in the Atlanta area, do you know of a reasonably priced supplier of these types of cases here locally?

Thanks.

[IRCCo Jeff]

QuickPacket,

Not sure how many you're looking to purchase, but you may wish to consider picking up an account with MALABS. They're quite helpful and carry a wide variety of cases at decent prices.

[qps]

We're probably looking to just pick up a few at first of them to see how they'll work.

I'll check out MALABS.

[cwl@apaqdigital]

locally, synnex, ASI, eastern data, tech data all sell aopen/MSI products.

BTW, pick up 1 or 2 spare power supply for these type of slim/book PC. they are prorietary, tough to find replacement if you are in a hurry to change out a bad one.

[wimg]

Just a quick note : a lot of colo providers don't want you to use these things, because they use a lot more power than actual rack-based systems, as well as generate more heat.

Theoretically, you could say that what you do in your rack, is your business... but some will not really cooperate with you if you install this kind of thing...

[toddb]

Originally posted by wimg
Just a quick note : a lot of colo providers don't want you to use these things, because they use a lot more power than actual rack-based systems, as well as generate more heat.

Theoretically, you could say that what you do in your rack, is your business... but some will not really cooperate with you if you install this kind of thing...

Other than the PS possibly being slightly less efficient, how in the world are these going to generate more heat than a rackmount system with the same MB, CPU, Drives, etc?

Furthermore, since these systems are less dense than cabinets full of 1U servers, they are using less amps per square foot than cabinets full of 1U servers. This = less load on the DC's power and cooling.

[wimg]

There are several issues :
- Cooling is not as efficient as most rack-based systems. Those rack-based systems have powerful coolers, that push heat out at high speed to keep the servers running at optimal temperature. Those Micro-ATX cases are built for low noise and often keep the heat too much inside. If you start stacking them, heat can't escape via the case either, which may cause overheating, fire, short-circuits, etc.
- Usually rack-based systems have components designed for servers, whereas those other cases in general have lots of extras on board (ofcourse you can put the same MB in, but that won't always fit...).

[toddb]

Originally posted by wimg
There are several issues :
- Cooling is not as efficient as most rack-based systems. Those rack-based systems have powerful coolers, that push heat out at high speed to keep the servers running at optimal temperature. Those Micro-ATX cases are built for low noise and often keep the heat too much inside. If you start stacking them, heat can't escape via the case either, which may cause overheating, fire, short-circuits, etc.
- Usually rack-based systems have components designed for servers, whereas those other cases in general have lots of extras on board (ofcourse you can put the same MB in, but that won't always fit...).

Right, BUT the cooling efficency of the system affects the system temperature, not the overall environment in the DC.

For stacking them, if you use a case that brings air in the front and exhausts it out the rear, how is stacking them going to keep heat from escaping?
Granted, I wouldnt put a dual xeon raid 5 system in a matx case, but I have a ton of celeron systems with 1 HD in matx cases. Theyre in a cabinet, 3 on a shelf side by side (they fit perfectly). They run perfectly cool.

[qps]

Thanks for the input - but we are aware of how to properly use these types of cases. We are looking for vendors.

[cwl@apaqdigital]

these type of slim PC's are for open 'bread' rack, not intended for traditional 4-post rack cabinet. you are going to need 2U spacing for each unit which is of course not quite desirable.

as long as you are not putting prescott in there, the internal cooling won't be a problem. however, the power supply for these type of slim PC has higher defect rate than standard tower case. keep some spares on hand is a must.

any DC takes tower PC for colo, shouldn't have any problem to accept these slim PC's either. we used to sell lots of low-end P4/Athlon in these slim PC box for RAID1 capable (or even RAID5 by using CD/FDD bays for 2nd/3rd HDD) mini linux servers.

[toddb]

The ones we are using are a matx tower case. Not a slim pc. It measures about 5.5"W x 13"H x 14"D. 3 fit on a rackshelf side by side, and the airflow and temp is fine.

[anycolo.com]

malabs.com

In-Win MATX BT553T Prescott 240W Desktop Case

try this. It has side fan to blow the heat and the there is a cut exactly above the CPU place on the case for the CPU fan

The old one is 180w, i guess the newer one is 240watt. you can put like 1 hdd, 1fdd and 1cdrom or 2hdd minimum.

I think you can fit in approximately 20 of this in one cabinet