Rack Mount Render Farm

[Jeff Mottle]

Hi all,

 

We are starting to explore some rackmount render farm options, and I wanted to know what sort of option everyone here has looked at and/or are using.

 

Cheers,

Jeff

[Chad Warner]

We've looked at this one:

http://www.rackmount.com/Rackmt/ATXBladeS100.htm

 

and

 

http://www.qsol.com/

 

The thing I like about the second one is it's plug and play. The first one would require buying a switch, KVM, etc. The one at qsol has a management module.

[moshenko]

In the Canadian market ($$), this isn't a very easy decision to make. I've found that most rackmount suppliers are US based, and cary US costs with them (BOXX, for instance). I looked into rackmount solutions over a year ago but decided that the value wasn't there for the quantity that we were purchasing. We went with stripped-down Dell PWS 470's, mounted in relay racks. They come in at 4U when mounted with a rack kit, and cost us

 

I guess your key questions are going to be:

 

1. How many machines will be purchased?

2. How much space is available?

3. How much $$ can you spend?

 

Hope this helps -

[Devin Johnston]

We use Boxx and I've had no problems at all. I wouldn’t say that they are the cheapest thing on the market but for the price you get a machine that has been tested with the 3d app you are using plus great tech support. Were on a 2 year cycle with these machines and I fully expect to continue purchasing boxx both for may rack mounted units and my work stations.

[ihabkal]

I assembled a couple 2U in 2002 from components from newegg.com, costed me $1200 each, dual athlon MP 2800+

didn't use them as my day job prevented me from getting freelance work. but I tested and learned a lot. running a mini farm at home taught me stuff I am using at my new job.

[czoog]

We have a couple of 1U dual xeons from these guys: http://www.siliconmechanics.com/

 

They have been rock solid, and the customer service has been excellent.

[3dp]

hi jeff and no i have not forgotten rtre

 

avoid 1 u racks as they tend to be that little more $$

run very hot and due to the fans are very noisy

2 u cases are cheaper and quieter

 

i sourced 4 units last year and after starting with boxx went with a local i.t. server tech who built boxes for around half the $ but same spec at the time