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| Thread ID: 63833 | 2005-11-24 05:40:00 | looking for unusual hardware at resonable cost | personthingy (1670) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 407009 | 2005-11-24 05:40:00 | Its getting close to time for getting a new computer. What i'm looking for is a desktop machine that can travel in a rack along with all my audio gear, but all i've seen so far is totally OTT priced devices that are designed to be servers :mad: The function of this machine is file storage, mainly of MP3's and/or oggs, and recording of live events. Pretty much what i've had in mind for my flaptop, except that i've allready managed to damage the power inlet, and sound outlet on that, so it's getting a bit too dodgy for the task, there's also HDD space limitations on a lappy, unless i spend up big, and well, a second machine appeals more. Ok, so i want a 2 unit high rack mount case, front mounted usb for mouse and other devices, preferably keyboard connection in front, although USB would cover that, and of course DVDdrive in the front too. I'm not gaming, video editing, or anything like that so other than lots of HDD space, no super machine is needed here, allthough i may end up multi track recording, and as external rack mount multi-channel sound cards aren't hard to find, i suppose a minamal quality stereo card would be fine for now. 5.1 is not something i could make use of, as my audio toys are strickly stereo. What sort of money do i really need to spend, and does anyone have any ideas where i might start looking? Could i achieve this with a custom case and a "standard" motherboard? |
personthingy (1670) | ||
| 407010 | 2005-11-24 05:48:00 | www.thermaltake.com Whack in 400 GB of harddrives, An Audigy2, DVD Writer,Whatever other hardware fits your budget.Job done. What were you thinking of for a sceen? |
Metla (12) | ||
| 407011 | 2005-11-24 05:51:00 | You could put everything at the front of the case, with something like this (http://www.frontx.co.nz/) Or just get a wireless kb/mouse. Save you connecting a Ps/2 port to the front of the case. Or just get / use a USB kb. And just get a case with front USB/Audio ports. And get a mobo that has a front panel connection, on it. That way, you can hear sound, from the back and the front of the case. And get a USB hub. And if u use a digital cam, and have a memory cards slot on it, get an internal card reader. A lot easier than connecting the cable all the time, just to xfer pics. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 407012 | 2005-11-24 05:59:00 | http://www.procase.co.nz/ "Proper" rackmount computer cases are expensive, as you said, because they're primarily for servers. Could you adapt one of these: www.jaycar.co.nz to fit a motherboard inside. Or even use one of those cheap Jaycar rackmount cases, and simply rivet or bolt a SFF normal desktop case into it, and use cheap USB extension cables to give you your front-mount USB. |
somebody (208) | ||
| 407013 | 2005-11-24 06:01:00 | I wish to fill on of the top gaps here (www.millerton.co.nz) (currently filled with fake-spacer panels) | personthingy (1670) | ||
| 407014 | 2005-11-24 06:25:00 | or these (pp.co.nz) | plod (107) | ||
| 407015 | 2005-11-24 06:35:00 | I suppose another way is to buy 2nd hand Rack servers off trademe or somewhere, and upgrading bits and pieces. That way you have a "proper" rack case which will have ventilation etc. taken care of. www.trademe.co.nz |
somebody (208) | ||
| 407016 | 2005-11-24 06:55:00 | Why not just use any old basic case, lay it down behind the blank space panels,and then cut holes in the panels to access the required areas on the front of the case/computer. Or even remove the face of the case and mount the buttons,audio,usb and optical drive on the blank space fillers..... |
Metla (12) | ||
| 407017 | 2005-11-24 07:33:00 | Why not just use any old basic case, lay it down behind the blank space panels,and then cut holes in the panels to access the required areas on the front of the case/computer. Or even remove the face of the case and mount the buttons,audio,usb and optical drive on the blank space fillers.....Thats starting to look the best option, of course existing cases are usually tower, and horizontal ones tend to be somewhat more than 2 rack units high (approx 87mm) I'm not beyond taking to whatever i end up with with a can of black sprey either. The ports extesion panel is a totally groovy idea too. Perhaps laying the panel that supports the motherboard in an empty rack case? Techs are often wanting to dump a pile of used cases in these parts of town. Gutting a standard computer and squeezing it into a jaycar or similar case appeals too, although that leaves the problem of cards (?) taking the height well above 87mm, and the PSU would have to be smaller than i might want. Maybe everything would have to be onboard.... I'm learning to loath onboard video though. As for the screen question, it would have to be LCD, and i'd use it at a gig placed behind the mixing desk, that being behind the desk from the engineers viewpoint. The procases look like the begginning of a big pile of cash going west, and irony had me gutting a 2unit rack box that had a very old hub in it to make the PSU seen in the bottom of the rack.. maybe something else to gut will turn up? |
personthingy (1670) | ||
| 407018 | 2005-11-24 08:25:00 | Fo the screen I was going to suggest the DVD screens they have for in cars, You can stash em anywhere, lay it down flat if you wanted, That would be a bit risky though..... | Metla (12) | ||
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