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Case Mod - In Progress ikea renderfarm

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by greenfarm, 9 Mar 2015.

  1. greenfarm

    greenfarm What's a Dremel?

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    You probably saw this already on the net, but here is another design for Ikea Helmer Renderfarm (for CPU based Vray and Corona rendering). Each case is lasercut from 3mm plexiglas, there are some configuration options, such as the frontplate designs and mini-ITX or mATX capability (under 200mm wide).

    This renderfarm is designed for low wattage i7 processors (S-Series), to reduce the heat, while still powerful enough to render. I tried many different options, and still designing a few more features, such as easy I/O panel access on the side, and maybe a cutout for the custom cpu cooler on the bottom.

    The main idea was to save time and ease of transportation. All plexiglas parts snap together to create one solid case, and can be easily disassembled and shipped separately in a flat envelope. The cost of shipping can be reduced because you can just buy new ikea helmer cabinet at another location (about $50) and assemble all the nodes in 1 day.

    Anyway, I hope you like! Here you can see the project progress:


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    Last edited: 14 Mar 2015
  2. LennyRhys

    LennyRhys Fan Fan

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    This looks lovely but I daresay it doesn't look practical from a temperature perspective. How does ambient air get in to the CPU cooler when the drawers are closed?
     
  3. IanW

    IanW Grumpy Old Git

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    Drawers never go all the way to the back of the case, there's usually at least an inch clear back there.
     
  4. HandMadeAndroid

    HandMadeAndroid That's handy.

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    Personally for my needs I'd be after multiple GPUs for rendering. What software uses CPUs?
     
  5. Jeffinslaw

    Jeffinslaw What's a Dremel?

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    What program do you use for GPU rendering?

    I'm interested in what program(s) OP uses to render with his render farm. Might be something I'm interested in.

    -Jeffinslaw
     
  6. DBRichard

    DBRichard What's a Dremel?

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    I use Keyshot which is CPU rendering, would love to have a render farm
    Looks awesome BTW, maybe a little too closed to get enough air though
     
  7. HandMadeAndroid

    HandMadeAndroid That's handy.

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    I use cycles render with blender, it's CUDA based so the more GPU the better.
     
  8. greenfarm

    greenfarm What's a Dremel?

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    This is the latest prototype with front ventilation panels

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  9. greenfarm

    greenfarm What's a Dremel?

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    Current config is:

    5 x i7-3770S, 16GB RAM, 64GB SSD, 2x 60mm fans, SFX 300W PSU
    (each node power draw max is ~150W). approx $750 per node.

    Idle temp ~25c, full load ~55-65c (with Noctua NH 9Li low profile cooler)

    6th drawer will be a small 4 x SSD NAS server.

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    Last edited: 14 Mar 2015
  10. greenfarm

    greenfarm What's a Dremel?

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    I personally use vray and corona-renderer for architectural visualization, GPU rendering still has many limits for big scenes, not enough RAM.

    corona is actually one of the best new render engines, and is only cpu based:
    https://corona-renderer.com/gallery/

    Vray has been industry standard for many years and is also cpu based, they added gpu option recently which still lacks many features.
     
    Last edited: 11 Mar 2015
  11. greenfarm

    greenfarm What's a Dremel?

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    With xspc temp sensor and power switch on front panel:
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    GuilleAcoustic likes this.
  12. IanW

    IanW Grumpy Old Git

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    Looking like a bought one now! :thumb:
     
  13. HandMadeAndroid

    HandMadeAndroid That's handy.

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    Dam that looks good!
     
  14. Jeffinslaw

    Jeffinslaw What's a Dremel?

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    I'm really liking these things... I do a lot of work with Cinema 4D and render times kill me. Would be nice to cut those times down. Too bad I don't have the money for one...

    -Jeffinslaw
     
  15. Jeffinslaw

    Jeffinslaw What's a Dremel?

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  16. greenfarm

    greenfarm What's a Dremel?

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  17. Jeffinslaw

    Jeffinslaw What's a Dremel?

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    Ehh just slap on some more fans :D

    With more rendering power, it would take less time so less time you would have to hear all the fans. The power consumption would even out as well I would assume. Would be fun to do a test with one of the boards.

    -Jeffinslaw
     
  18. Bygone

    Bygone Minimodder

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    Looking awesome Greenfarm, have you tried considering Water cooling? getting a full size mobo/cpu block and then connecting all drawers to a common radiator solution on either the side og back of furniture?
     
  19. GuilleAcoustic

    GuilleAcoustic Ook ? Ook !

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    I've already seen this on the web and own the exact same ikea furniture (but mine is red). You did an excellent job there and pushed the work into stratospheric area. You deserved some rep :thumb:
     
  20. greenfarm

    greenfarm What's a Dremel?

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    LoL good logic, I am actually considering giving this a try with double drawer height, so 3 per helmer :)
     

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