[Tfug] $2K fileserver

[Robert Hunter]

> Nice job.  Surprised you're able to get away with just a 400W psu.
>

Brad, you might be right that the PSU is under-spec'd.  A few years
ago I measured how much power these Tyan 2466s were drawing: about
300W at idle, and over 400W with a full CPU load.  This box's sole
purpose in life is a disk server.  I might be wrong,  but I don't
think the extra drives and controller will draw nearly as much power
as it would under a full CPU load.  If it starts crashing tough, the
first thing I will do is put a beefier PSU in it. ;-)

> MP Athlons are older tech consuming more power than the newer A64
> line and
> that case, built like a tank (I've got 3 similar ones), handles
> 120mm fans
> front & back.  Are they installed and is ventilation adequate?

I decided against leaving the front ( intake ) fan because this
particular version of the case has a side vent with an air guide to
the CPU Heatsinks+Fans.  With the front fan, the air intake at the
side vent was noticeably less.  However, if things start overheating
I will add the extra intake *plus* an extra exhaust fan.  I read
somewhere that it is better to have a negative pressure differential
inside the case rather than a positive one for the purpose of heat
dissapation.  I would love to hear more opinions about this.


-- 
Rob