This will most likely be the first of many post's pertaining to this build as it will be my first and want to be sure not to over look or over think anything.

I'm trying to put together a parts list but before I settle on a MOBO, CPU, graphic card, PSU, cooling and HD's, I think I need to know the case I'm using to be sure everything is going to fit.

I 'think' I'd like a 4U rack-mount case because I have a rack on my desk that just so happens to have room..
But so far I'm not having much luck in searching for a quiet rack-mount PC case.

If anyone knows of a source that'd be great. Maybe the case's I've been looking at are 'quiet' case's but just not listed as such.

Also, is a rack-mount not a good way to go? Maybe due to space for components, sound, ventilation etc? 

Am I correct in thinking in this manner or should I consider some of the other components before the case?
Thanks to all input.

Mike

     

Maybe Antec?

http://store.antec.com/Pr.../0-761345-94006-1.aspx

There are also some custom cases made in the UK by PaQ:

http://www.paqt.co.uk/products.html

Both pretty pricey, you might do better getting a rackmount server case and modding it with quiet fans, etc.

Another option is an HTPC case, some of which can be racked.

Some more info:

http://www.soundonsound.c...es/pcmusician_0807.htm

You'll need to ensure ample cooling air inflow and outflow, so you'd want to avoid blocking any bottom or top or side vents due to other equipment in your rack or the rack's sides (or just use a case with only front and back air inlets/outlets for flow-through cooling). Also, cooling air flow in the case will dictate the type/orientation of cpu cooler used, and possibly also same for the power supply.

Format problems

I can't recommend P-Link cases enough... for several reasons.

The biggest reason is they have REAL WORLD PRICES.  Apparently, Rackmount PC cases = Industrial = Servers = Corporations = Big Money.

They also seem to have a lot of rack cases with shallower depths! Considering the typical rackmount PC case is a whopping 22" or 24", this is something to look for.

Keep in mind that IT Engineers at big companies don't care how Big, Loud or Heavy a case is.  Us musicians come into THEIR world caring about these things.

To my knowledge, there is no such thing as a "quiet" rackmount case. What I've seen from a lot of companies like Sweetwater, ADK, etc  is that they'll put sheets of roam/rubber acoustical material on the insides and replace the noisy front case fans with nicer Noctua (or equivalent) case fans or better yet, remove them completely (they tend to be over ventilated anyway due to large, hot server racks). 

Another thing: Buy an Aluminum rackmount case.  If you have not yet picked up a Steel 4U 24" deep rackmount case, PLEASE trust me... you don't want to go there.

I have spent a total of many weeks scouring the web for the best DAW rackmount case and have found nothing that compares to this:
http://www.plinkusa.net/web3035s.htm
It's lightweight enough to easily work with, Doesn't have any %&^$ doors that always get in your way (I've had two of those), An inset power switch you won't accidently hit. shallow enough to not need some special roadcase for it. I've built 3 systems with this case and love them!!!

Keep in mind that, with this case, if you use a full-size ATX motherboard you will lose the ability to fill the bottom 5.25" bay.  There are so many great micro-ATX boards that you shouldn't have a problem.

CakeFan

PS - I went out to the local electronic store and bought a single-pole 12V micro-switch that fits right in one of the square holes of the vented face of this case and wired it to the front fans so I could cut them off during recording.  BUT HONESTLY, I don't think this case needs front fans... it's well ventilated anyway.  Good Luck!!!

While I was researching www.plinkusa.com I found a new v2 version of this case that I like even more because they put ventilation holes on top of case over PSU so you can use the BIG side-fan type of PSU's!

Cool thanks guys. 

CakeFan, how noisy are these cases?
Is there room to maybe glue or adhere some sound proofing inside the case? 
Or would using quiet cooling be sufficient?

I was thinking I only need 3 HD's total, the OS/software one will be SSD and 2 - 1TB @ 7200RPM.

Mike

Another quick question.
Is FireWire and Thunderbolt something that can be added at a later time?
I know FW is on the way out but might still have a use for it. And would like to have the ability to add Thinderbolt down the road if need be.

I guess that all depends on my Mobo but don't want to pay for it now if it's something I can add at a later point.

Also I'd like 3 monitors but haven't seen any Mobo's with 3 VGA ports.

Only asking here because it seems most sites are gaming sites not audio based.

Mike

I've just noticed in the past that some of the "Big Dog" DAW builders will put some type of foam/rubber (think mouse pad) stuff on the case cover. I'm not sure how much that contributes to a quieter PC or not. I'm sure anything on a big flat piece of aluminum would tighten it up a bit.  I'll see if I can find a picture.  Snoop around www.quietpc.com
you can go crazy with some self-adhesive stuff like this http://www.quietpc.com/ap-kits
Watch your money... You may find that the cheapest route is to install your DAW in another room and interface wirelessly or with extension cables.

Not sure about Thunderbolt, but you would actually be better off to use an add on card for Firewire... There are many posts about the best FW cards to use and making sure they have Texas Instrument (TI) chipsets in them.

If this is going to be a dedicated DAW machine, I wouldn't worry much about video.  I guess you're going to have 1 or 2 video heads coming off the mobo and pick yourself up another decent cheap video card to put in an expansion slot and presto you got 3 or 4 video heads. Just install the drivers and go into Control Panel -> Display and set everything up as far as default display, layout, etc.   Ever since XP, video layouts have been much, much easier to setup.

Beware: Once you go multi-monitor, there's no going back.  Especially with a DAW!!!!!

CakeFan


Beware: Once you go multi-monitor, there's no going back.  Especially with a DAW!!!!!

Oh, I know.

I have 2 now and always wish I had one more.
My laptop won't allow it but now I can.  


Mike