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Thread: Death Star Build Log (name explained below) |
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Thread Status: Active Total posts in this thread: 65
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Mamajuanauk
Master Cruncher United Kingdom Joined: Dec 15, 2012 Post Count: 1900 Status: Offline Project Badges: 
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Name of Theard
----------------------------------------This was a comment made in this thead , more of a joke than a serious comment! but I liked the name for that reason only I called this thread 'Death Star Build Log'! Aim of thread The aim of this thread is to log the various stages of the build of this machine. I will add a basic log of the build of the dual processor hex core machine I'm building. The Specifications of which are as follows:
MB - EGVA SR-2 CPU - 2 x hex core xeon's (24 threads!) PSU Corsair AT1200i RAM - Corsair Vengeance red - 16Gb (SR2 max = 48Gb) HDD - 300Gb velociraptor (10k, enterprise drive, don't need storage in this system) GPU - Radeon HD7770, but may put my 2 x HD7970's in it! CPU Cooling - 2 x Corsair H100 Watercoolers  Bench Build/Test Having not built a dual processor machine before I thought I would 'Play' on the bench first. This will help me get all the components into the MB and ensure they all work together. So I installed some 'stand-offs' on the back of the board, and looked over the new board and manual (yes, a male looking at the manual!) familiarised myself with the layout of the motherboard. Then installed (in this order)
2 x 8Gb RAM (2x4 in each bank, one bank for each CPU) 2 H100's for cooling the CPU's 1 x HD7770 GPU a couple of extra fans to move the air around. Then connected all the power leads  Following all the checks to ensure everything was in place and as expected, I powered it up! Yes! it worked. So shutdown again, connected the HDD & BR drive. restarted and installed Ubuntu 13.04. all went smoothly. The Interesting bit is going to be getting this monster in the case with 2 x H100's. In a case that will take them, but where? the H100's come as sealed units and do not have very long hoses on! Crunching tests After updating Ubuntu with all available patches, I installed Boinc, MGM (hardware monitoring utility)  Yes! it worked! With the system proving stable, I left it to crunch for a few days the results are below: 12/17/2013 0:012:17:53:57 53,327 189 On to the installation in the case next... The case!  Well, the case is a monster! The Corsair Obsidian 900D is a full tower case, one of few that will allow the new standard EGVA created with their SR-2 the HPTX This MB is huge at 13.6 x 15 inches it dwarfs even the XL-ATX which is only 13.5 x 10.3 inches So to the install First, line up the stand-off’s with the surprisingly few on the MB. Remove those that do not line up and install those that are missing. Install nylon stand-off’s where no screw hole is available. I guess this was by design as the nylon stand-off’s were supplied in the MB box. PSU installation – this fits nicely into the base of the case on it’s side with room for another one! Why I don’t know as this monster will provide 1200 watts! Airflow is provided by cleverly hidden vents in the lower panel of the case, which open for easy access.  With the CPU & RAM already on the MB from the test build on the bench it made it easier. The fun was always going to be how to get both H100’s in the case with the restricted length on the hoses? Well I managed it by utilising the 4 x fan mounting point in the roof of the case. Specifically by overlapping the radiators and using the fans to make air flow across both at the same time! As seen in the picture below  With the right radiator fitted against the case to the left side of the fourth fan mounting and the left fan fitted to the first fan location this left a level point to install the second radiator to the left fan and the right radiator. With additional fans on the right and on the left the installation was completed. Connecting the CPU Water blocks was the next challenge! Well, the only challenge turned out to be how flexible the hose was. With some careful manipulation, they both fitted! Phew!  Installing the HDD was quick and easy in the caddy. I didn’t install the BR drive as it is not required. That’s pretty much it, I’d like to hear your comments, not specifically on the format of this thread, I’m not a reviewer or someone who writes documentation. I’ve done this as it was suggested some of you may find it interesting… So far the results are looking good 12/24/2013 0:011:23:01:28 45,146 151 While the CPU benchmark is not brilliant, this system does run 24 threads Tue 24 Dec 2013 18:48:16 GMT | | Benchmark results: I will add to this thread and answer any questions as replies.
Mamajuanauk is the Name! Crunching is the Game!
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twilyth
Master Cruncher US Joined: Mar 30, 2007 Post Count: 2128 Status: Offline Project Badges: 
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I don't know if you had a chance to look at many build logs, but my recollection is that it's customary to take at least one photo of the packaging, the hardware in the packaging and the hardware itself. That's when all the parts come and before you start the build. Multiple pix are of course welcome too.
----------------------------------------That's mostly reserved for the main components like cpu, gpu, mobo and memory though. Once you start the build, a close up shot of the component in the case and a wide view to show where it is oriented in relation to drive bays, PSU etc is a good way to go. For the CPU, a close up of the socket, cpu in socket, cpu with thermal paste and then with cooler attached is nice. Again multiple shots from different angles/perspectives are welcome if you feel they add something.   [Edit 1 times, last edit by twilyth at Dec 24, 2013 1:38:51 AM] |
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pmm1018
Senior Cruncher USA Joined: Dec 29, 2006 Post Count: 222 Status: Offline Project Badges: 
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Wow... what a brute. That will be a fun build. For lots of picture examples of builds, visit http://pcpartpicker.com/.
----------------------------------------My two recent FX-8350 builds are on there. ID = pmm1018. You've got me thinking it's time for a 3rd build to keep up with you.  FWIW: I found a 24-thread server on eBay for $670 + HDD & OS. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Poweredge-C1100-...s&hash=item4176aac587 Edit: Added eBay find.   [Edit 2 times, last edit by pmm1018 at Dec 24, 2013 5:35:28 AM] |
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Mamajuanauk
Master Cruncher United Kingdom Joined: Dec 15, 2012 Post Count: 1900 Status: Offline Project Badges:
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I don't know if you had a chance to look at many build logs, but my recollection is that it's customary to take at least one photo of the packaging, the hardware in the packaging and the hardware itself. That's when all the parts come and before you start the build. Multiple pix are of course welcome too. Thanks for the input, I will be adding photos of the boxes and various shots of the build. However, as many of the components are out of doner machines, boxes are not available. That said, many are available, photo added.That's mostly reserved for the main components like cpu, gpu, mobo and memory though. Once you start the build, a close up shot of the component in the case and a wide view to show where it is oriented in relation to drive bays, PSU etc is a good way to go. For the CPU, a close up of the socket, cpu in socket, cpu with thermal paste and then with cooler attached is nice. Again multiple shots from different angles/perspectives are welcome if you feel they add something.
Mamajuanauk is the Name! Crunching is the Game!
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Mamajuanauk
Master Cruncher United Kingdom Joined: Dec 15, 2012 Post Count: 1900 Status: Offline Project Badges:
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Wow... what a brute. That will be a fun build. For lots of picture examples of builds, visit http://pcpartpicker.com/. Go for it! I love a challenge!!!My two recent FX-8350 builds are on there. ID = pmm1018. You've got me thinking it's time for a 3rd build to keep up with you. FWIW: I found a 24-thread server on eBay for $670 + HDD & OS. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Poweredge-C1100-...s&hash=item4176aac587 Edit: Added eBay find. Watch this space...
Mamajuanauk is the Name! Crunching is the Game!
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twilyth
Master Cruncher US Joined: Mar 30, 2007 Post Count: 2128 Status: Offline Project Badges:
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pmm1018: I don't know how those blade servers work, but before you buy one of the blades, I'd make sure that you can use it as is in a standard case with a standard PSU. I'm sure the components can be used, but if you have to buy another mobo, that's at least a couple hundred bucks right there.
----------------------------------------If you DO plan to just use it for parts though, that's great. Let us know what the rest of your system will look like in terms of the case, psu, mobo, etc. And this is just a suggestion, but if you're going to compete with the Death Star build, you'll probably need an appropriate name like maybe Revenge of Alderaan, Rebel Alliance, etc. (just a thought)   |
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Mamajuanauk
Master Cruncher United Kingdom Joined: Dec 15, 2012 Post Count: 1900 Status: Offline Project Badges:
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pmm1018: I don't know how those blade servers work, but before you buy one of the blades, I'd make sure that you can use it as is in a standard case with a standard PSU. I'm sure the components can be used, but if you have to buy another mobo, that's at least a couple hundred bucks right there. Now that made me laugh! If you DO plan to just use it for parts though, that's great. Let us know what the rest of your system will look like in terms of the case, psu, mobo, etc. And this is just a suggestion, but if you're going to compete with the Death Star build, you'll probably need an appropriate name like maybe Revenge of Alderaan, Rebel Alliance, etc. (just a thought)  Is that a challenge? PMM are you going to rise to it? BTW - My plan is to achieve 50 Years CPU time by the second aniversary of me joining WCG! I'm currently at 24...
Mamajuanauk is the Name! Crunching is the Game!
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ryan222h
Senior Cruncher Joined: Sep 4, 2006 Post Count: 425 Status: Offline |
Anyone wants to compete I got a build for you. Sorry it's not named though, does that disqualify me?
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Mamajuanauk
Master Cruncher United Kingdom Joined: Dec 15, 2012 Post Count: 1900 Status: Offline Project Badges:
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Anyone wants to compete I got a build for you. Sorry it's not named though, does that disqualify me? No name, not a problem! Ryan - I would be interested in your build, then we can see if it's competition or not... While I've been building this one, I've also rebuild a couple of HP XW8600 Dual xeon e5450's the Benchmark on these is fantastic! Bring it on!
Mamajuanauk is the Name! Crunching is the Game!
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ryan222h
Senior Cruncher Joined: Sep 4, 2006 Post Count: 425 Status: Offline |
My power crunchers are a dual opteron 6180 build and a quad opteron 6176 build. The quad is an actual server, I just put the CPUs, ram, and HD's in so it's not completely custom built.
----------------------------------------How do you propose to compare performance across multiple systems? I guess my systems are more performance oriented but don't really look all that special. I'll post some pics when I can. [Edit 2 times, last edit by ryan222h at Dec 24, 2013 8:16:30 PM] |
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