Server Rack PC

[PatronPauper]

Budget (including currency): $2,000 USD

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Gaming and 3D modeling, hobby

Other details Current build is:

 

Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming Z490-PLUS Wifi

 

CPU: Intel Core i9-11900k, not Overclocked at all

 

RAM: 32GB of Crucial Ballistics, DDR4 3200mhz, XMP is enabled in BIOS

 

GPU: Nvidia RTX 3090

 

PSU: Corsair HX1200

 

Boot Drive is an M.2 NVME SSD: Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 

 

Storage SSD which I used as a boot drive before using the Samsung migration tool: Samsung 860 QVO SSD

 

OS: Windows 11 Home edition

 

Hey all! I've been interested in getting some more hands on work with my PC build since it's been a while. I've decided that I'm going to be taking it apart to deep clean all of my components, and I'll probably do a fresh install of windows as well. Since I'm going to go through all the trouble of taking everything apart, I thought it might be fun to try my hand at watercooling, or maybe moving my build to a small home server rack. However, as far as the server rack build goes, I'm not too familiar with cases that I could/should use for the build. Any recommendations would be great! It's just going to be for home use, so I was thinking more towards something in the 12U size, and not a massive like full sized rack. But again, recommendations and any pointers would be dearly appreciated. Thank you!

[Dutch_Master]

Given you're in the US, consider the Rosewell brand by Walmart. No idea on quality (they don't ship to my place  ) but fairly good price for what you get, or so I'm led to believe. Another option is Innovision over on Aliexpress. Again, pretty affordable, until you get to shipping the stuff

 

As for the actual rack: rack cases work perfectly fine outside a rack too, I've done just that for well over a decade (and counting ) so no need to get one to try this out. About water cooling: don't. Certainly not in a rack for home use where no 24/7 watch is being kept. The loop will leak at one point and you either want to catch it instantly or have to face a steep replacement bill for parts and not just in your server But it can be done if you really want to, despite general consensus to keep servers on air cooling for that very reason.

 

HTH!

[PatronPauper]

2 hours ago, Dutch_Master said:

Given you're in the US, consider the Rosewell brand by Walmart. No idea on quality (they don't ship to my place  ) but fairly good price for what you get, or so I'm led to believe. Another option is Innovision over on Aliexpress. Again, pretty affordable, until you get to shipping the stuff

 

As for the actual rack: rack cases work perfectly fine outside a rack too, I've done just that for well over a decade (and counting ) so no need to get one to try this out. About water cooling: don't. Certainly not in a rack for home use where no 24/7 watch is being kept. The loop will leak at one point and you either want to catch it instantly or have to face a steep replacement bill for parts and not just in your server But it can be done if you really want to, despite general consensus to keep servers on air cooling for that very reason.

 

HTH!

Thanks so much for the suggestions!  I'll definitely take a look at the brands you recommended.

[Nuzicx]

A 12U is a great size, sounds like you've figured out the height.

Figure out the depth of your equipment and if you will populate the front or have things also in the back, like the PDU.

You'll need a 4u case for that graphics card.

With everything loaded in the rack it becomes quite heavy, so consider if you require caster wheels.

Position of rack and how you will access for maintenance.

How cables will be managed. Zip ties are great.

Shop around on rack and server stores and even audio/DJ stores sell racks.