Rack mount PC case?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JoeBannon
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Creamyapples1 said:
The type of case really doesn't matter as they are all built pretty much the same. A rack mount case is nothing more than an ATX tower turned sideways with rack ears.
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Having said that the, how hard would it be to just screw rack ears in and mount? What are the dimensions of the standard rack? Would being sideways affect performance at all?
 
Dimensions aside, all case layouts are pretty much the same. I guess similar would better suit this instance. Assuming that your typical PC case is less than 19 inches the only thing stopping you from rack mounting it is your "know how". Personally I'd rather spend an extra few bucks and get an actual manufactured unit made for rack mounting, but to each his own. As for performance, as long as your harddrives are still horizontal (which in most rack cases, the mounts are) you're fine. The way everything else is setup and mounted they can run upside down if need be (minus rom drives, obviously)

Some of the most important factors that should be addressed are, is the psu big enough? Do you have sufficient cooling? Do you take the time to tame your cabling or are your cables all over the place?
 
Um, think Im all good, im pretty PC savvy for self taught. Why do the hard drives need to be horizontal?
 
Taken from another post on another board:

"An HDD is basically a flywheel in many respects.

If a drive isn't mounted properly, then the vibrations of operation (self-induced vibe) can cause problems. It contributes to off-track (performance hit) and possibly mechanical damage, if severe enough. That's why I suggested not mounting in a funky kind of configuration, as the drive will no longer be "feeling" a consistent and predictable vibration/shock from operation."


For more accurate information, consult the manual before installation to see what the manufacturer suggests.
 
xstatic said:
Rack mounts are not quieter. Well built computers are quieter and it really has nothing to do with the rack. Often times they are actually considerably louder. As far as the rack being a buffer, it really isn't. In fact it can often times project the sound. It really depends on your location, parts used, set-up etc...
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My point is that if you take the same machine, it would be quieter if it was mounted because you have the rack itself as extra sound absorption than if you just put it on your desk.
 
You could certainly rack mount your own case if you want. First though, it must be small enough to fit. Second, you ahve to find good rack ears. Third, you have to find a way to SECURELY mount them. Fourth, you have to make sure that they are perfectly aligned to keep things form vibrating too much. Fifth, you will probably wnat to figure out how to at least get your cd/dvd drives hrizontal again. In the end, buying the right case seems like a MUCH better option, and probably still cheaper and more functional as well.

As far as hard drives go, they certainly do not have to be horizontal. It is helpful to always keep them level though (either horizontal or vertical).

Keep in mind, that rack stability is critical in a rack mounted PC. If the rack itself vibrates for any reason (which is common) you will be putting extra stress on all of your components, especially your hard drives. Also, when a rack vibrates like that, it will often times make a computer louder than if it were not racked.....
 
xstatic said:
You could certainly rack mount your own case if you want. First though, it must be small enough to fit. Second, you ahve to find good rack ears. Third, you have to find a way to SECURELY mount them. Fourth, you have to make sure that they are perfectly aligned to keep things form vibrating too much. Fifth, you will probably wnat to figure out how to at least get your cd/dvd drives hrizontal again. In the end, buying the right case seems like a MUCH better option, and probably still cheaper and more functional as well.

As far as hard drives go, they certainly do not have to be horizontal. It is helpful to always keep them level though (either horizontal or vertical).

Keep in mind, that rack stability is critical in a rack mounted PC. If the rack itself vibrates for any reason (which is common) you will be putting extra stress on all of your components, especially your hard drives. Also, when a rack vibrates like that, it will often times make a computer louder than if it were not racked.....
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I don't like the case I have, gets way too much dust inside. It's also too big.
 
JoeBannon said:
My point is that if you take the same machine, it would be quieter if it was mounted because you have the rack itself as extra sound absorption than if you just put it on your desk.
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Of course, that all depends on the rack you use.
 
JoeBannon said:
They don't.
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/shrug, far be it from me to question the suggestions set forth by the people that actually make the products, note that I did advise reading the manual, because *gasp* they actually take the time to address mounting issues.
 
Creamyapples1 said:
/shrug, far be it from me to question the suggestions set forth by the people that actually make the products, note that I did advise reading the manual, because *gasp* they actually take the time to address mounting issues.
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Find me a 3.5" drive that actually requires it to be horizontal.
 
http://www.maxtor.com/_files/maxtor...stallation_guides/sata_installation_guide.pdf (page 6)



This whole drive convo was mainly preference, as I've experienced short life spans on drives mounted otherwise, I probably should have specified that from the start. I even stated that reading your HD manual will give you better insight as to which X, Y, Z orientation you may or may not mount. So sorry to have an opinion, and documentation that conflicts with yours.
 
Creamyapples1 said:
http://www.maxtor.com/_files/maxtor...stallation_guides/sata_installation_guide.pdf (page 6)

This whole drive convo was mainly preference, as I've experienced short life spans on drives mounted otherwise, I probably should have specified that from the start. I even stated that reading your HD manual will give you better insight as to which X, Y, Z orientation you may or may not mount. So sorry to have an opinion, and documentation that conflicts with yours.
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Where does it say you have to install it horizontally? I'm curious as to what drives require it so I don't buy them, so don't think I'm trying to start an arguement.
 
My mistake then. Where it suggests mounting with the "label" up on page 6 (top corner) from that link. Western Digital is pretty much the safe bet these days, I'm fairly certain you could mount a WD HD on a Cat's tail and it'll be ok. Just read the manuals, it's not even all drives from certain manufacturer's that are like this. You could have 10 different WD HD's and 1 of them will say in the manual to mount it label up.
 
JoeBannon said:
I don't like the case I have, gets way too much dust inside. It's also too big.
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Sopunds to me like you may not need a rack case, just a better case. Your cooling system may need changes, and it is quite possible that your room will need some sort of change. If you have dust collecting in certain areas, your stuff will pick it up be it tower or rack mount.

As fro hard drives. My bet is that all drives like being mounted horizontally the best. However, as long as they are mounted securely, there should be no real difference. Personally, I prefer Seagate drives. My next choice would be Western Digital (of all of the consumer drives that is).

My new tower keeps dust out much better than my old case did. It also looks better, runs cooler and is quieter. Probably does all of those things better than the average rack mount as well:) Also make sure you get a good power supply. Especially if you have a lot of other crap in your rack that gets hot (will bog down your air flow).
 
xstatic said:
Sopunds to me like you may not need a rack case, just a better case. Your cooling system may need changes, and it is quite possible that your room will need some sort of change. If you have dust collecting in certain areas, your stuff will pick it up be it tower or rack mount. As fro hard drives. My bet is that all drives like being mounted horizontally the best. However, as long as they are mounted securely, there should be no real difference. Personally, I prefer Seagate drives. My next choice would be Western Digital (of all of the consumer drives that is). My new tower keeps dust out much better than my old case did. It also looks better, runs cooler and is quieter. Probably does all of those things better than the average rack mount as well:) Also make sure you get a good power supply. Especially if you have a lot of other crap in your rack that gets hot (will bog down your air flow).
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As I said, it will free up some desk/floor space. A mounted machine is the best option.

BTW, if a drive is properly made and the disks are centered, it shouldn't matter how it sits. Gravity will affect it the same no matter what. AND if you want to be super technical about it, the disks laying on their site would put more pressure down on the bottom ball bearings and cause greater friction. Disks standing would spread the friction to both equally.
 
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