CAD Graphics Workstation in 4U Rackmount Case

[scottl318]

Is it absolutely crazy to build a graphics workstation for CAD and VFX use in a 4U rackmount case? Specs are similar to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.752237 but must accomodate a Nvidia Quadro 4000.
Is the biggest issue noise? or just fitting it in the case?

 

[Outlander_04]

a rack mount wont accept a graphics card so its a bad idea

 

[palladin9479]

Above poster doesn't know what their talking about. I have over a dozen rack mount systems with "graphics cards" installed in them.

Check to see if its a vertical or horizontal mount. Being a 4U case it will most likely be vertical and full slot length.

You might have to worry about two things, first being slot length. Server motherboards often only have a bunch of x8 slots that a x16 card won't directly fit into. You can do a small mod to remove the backstop off the slot to fix the card in, but it'll only operate at x16 and would most definitely invalidate your warranty. The other is the power connector, I've rarely seen a server chasis / powersupply that provided a 8x/6x PCIe power connector. You may need an adapter.

Other then those two issues, there is no reason a GPU can not go into a rack mount case.

 

[Outlander_04]

Above poster doesn't know what their talking about. I have over a dozen rack mount systems with "graphics cards" installed in them.

Check to see if its a vertical or horizontal mount. Being a 4U case it will most likely be vertical and full slot length.

You might have to worry about two things, first being slot length. Server motherboards often only have a bunch of x8 slots that a x16 card won't directly fit into. You can do a small mod to remove the backstop off the slot to fix the card in, but it'll only operate at x16 and would most definitely invalidate your warranty. The other is the power connector, I've rarely seen a server chasis / powersupply that provided a 8x/6x PCIe power connector. You may need an adapter.

Other then those two issues, there is no reason a GPU can not go into a rack mount case.

lets see . ...to save on a case you think its a great idea to modify a graphics card by cutting bits off it .......and I dont know anything?
ROFLMAO

 

[palladin9479]

lets see . ...to save on a case you think its a great idea to modify a graphics card by cutting bits off it .......and I dont know anything?
ROFLMAO

I never said modify the graphics card by cutting bits off.

That has nothing to do with the case at all. I'm assuming he's using some server class motherboard already in the chasis, some have x16 slots, some have x8 only. In any case it's the motherboard not the chasis that is the limit.

Again you've demonstrated you don't know what your talking about, you can't even comprehend the quote your trying to insult.

 

[Outlander_04]

so according to you Im not right about it not fitting , but it will only fit if you modify it , and then it will only work at half speed.

you may have noticed I find that slightly amusing
LMAO

 

[scottl318]

Best answer selected by scottl318.

 

[scottl318]

Thanks Palladin,
Good advice. I definitely can't use a short case because the mobo and graphics card in particular are long.
I think I'll use this ASUS Sabertooth instead of a server mobo so I do need to make sure it fits and has the right adapters.

Thanks for the help.
Scott