Silent 1U FAMP server

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Chronos
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:27 pm
Location: Canada

Silent 1U FAMP server

Post by Chronos » Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:46 pm

Hi!

I'm looking to replace my current FreeBSD-Apache-Mysql-Php (and FTP/NFS/SAMBA/SSH/CUPS) server which is a full tower, 7-fan noisy vacuum cleaner that draws ~260W of power. Though there are many daemons running, it is actually a light duty server.

My goals for it's replacement is ~80W @full load (less the better) and fanless :D
All that in a 1U rackmount. Quite a challenge. :lol:

My needs (in priority):
- MB and rackmount case must support at least 2 SATA (hardware RAID1) drives (500GB)
- CPU must be preferably fanless or fans must produce no more noise than the hard drives
- At least 2 Gb LAN port
- Embedded video card, preferably NVIDIA (Xorg support for/from ATI is horrible)
- Inexpensive
- More Performance/Watt
- Would prefer a 64-bit system (I'm a FreeBSD developer and would rather keep a 64-bit server)

I was looking at the VIA EN12000G/EN15000G mini-itx system in a Travla C146 rackmount case. Interesting points are the Padlock Encryption Acceleration system which I could use since my network uses IPSec. Sadly, it doesn't have a second Gb LAN port (which could be solved with a PCI card addition), but is also 32-bit (which can't be solved). It is also more expensive than a micro-atx system. I've also looked at Jetway and Migrus motherboards.

Has anyone got mini-itx or micro-atx suggestions for a 1U rackmount?
If going for a micro-atx system, any suggestions for the rackmount case/MB/CPU?
Are my expectations too high for a silent 64-bit 1U or must I absolutely settle with a VIA C7?

Thanks!

Chronos
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:27 pm
Location: Canada

Post by Chronos » Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:59 pm

I am also interested in a Merom-based Mobile-on-Desktop. Specifically the L7400, which according to Anandtech's Core2 list has a TDP of 17W!

What good micro-atx motherboard can I use for this (or any Merom) processor?
Can the system be passively-cooled (or at most a very silent fan) in a 1U rackmount?
Mobile - Socket M

* Core 2 Duo (Merom), released on July 27, 2006. Dual-core, 65 nm, FSB 667MTps, [VT, EIST, EM64T, XD Bit], Socket M
o Standard Voltage, FSB 667MTps, 34W
+ T5500: 1.66GHz = 166MHz x 10, 2MB L2, 20W, [no VT]
+ T5600: 1.83GHz = 166MHz x 11, 2MB L2, 34W
+ T7200: 2.00GHz = 166MHz x 12, 4MB L2, 34W
+ T7400: 2.16GHz = 166MHz x 13, 4MB L2, 34W
+ T7600: 2.33GHz = 166MHz x 14, 4MB L2, 34W
o Low Voltage, FSB 667MTps, 17W
+ L7200: 1.33GHz = 166MHz x 8, 4MB L2, 17W (January 2007)
+ L7400: 1.50GHz = 166MHz x 9, 4MB L2, 17W (January 2007)
o Ultra Low Voltage, FSB 533MTps, 11W
+ U7500: 1.06GHz = 133MHz x 8, 2MB L2, 11W (Q2 2007)
Then, there is also the option to underclock/undervoltage an AMD X2 4600 65W to the equivalent of a 3800 @ 35W, but then I assume I would need a 2U rack and a cpu fan :(

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