Render farm - 19" rack 1U servers i7-3770 - need advice for build!

[DriesV]

Hi,

I want to build a small render farm (to be used for KeyShot network rendering). I also want to keep things clean, manageable and relatively small.
That's why I'm thinking about a 19" rack with 5 to 10 1U servers, each with an i7-3770 CPU.

For each node, I was thinking about this configuration:
■SUPERMICRO CSE-111LT-330CB Black 1U Rackmount Server Chassis (including 330W PSU)
■ASUS P8H77-M PRO LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX (I won't be overclocking)
■Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000
■Dynatron K199 80mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler (is rated for max. 95W. Max TDP for i7-3770 is 77W)
■CORSAIR Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML16GX3M2A1600C10
■Intel 520 Series Cherryville SSDSC2CW060A310 2.5 inch 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM
■SAMSUNG 8X Slim Internal DVD Burner, OEM Package Without Software Black SATA Model SN-208BB - OEM

Will this setup work well, in terms of keeping things cool?
Has anyone here ever built a 1U server based render farm?
Are there more compact and/or better cooling 1U chassis out there?
What great solutions are there to keep a 77-95W CPU cool in a 1U chassis?
Are there other motherboards (that support an i7-3770) that allow for better airflow?
...

Any suggestions are welcome! But keep in mind, I want to stick to building a 1U server solution.

greetings,
Dries

 

[TheBigTroll]

shouldnt you be using a xeon? they are more designed for your usage scenario. even though they have the same tdp, they put out less heat and use less power than their i7 brethren

something like this. still works fine in a h77 motherboard. plus xeons are cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117287

keep the stock cooler. the one you have isnt even near good

a better ssd
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077CR60Q/?tag=pcpapi-20

a cheaper choice for the motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R21JYA/?tag=pcpapi-20

a cheaper choice for the ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231486&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[DriesV]

shouldnt you be using a xeon? they are more designed for your usage scenario. even though they have the same tdp, they put out less heat and use less power than their i7 brethren

something like this. still works fine in a h77 motherboard. plus xeons are cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117287

keep the stock cooler. the one you have isnt even near good

a better ssd
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077CR60Q/?tag=pcpapi-20

a cheaper choice for the motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R21JYA/?tag=pcpapi-20

a cheaper choice for the ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231486&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Thanks for the great suggestions!

But will the stock cooler work in a 1U chassis?
No suggestions for a better/smaller chassis?

Dries

 

[TheBigTroll]

i dont use rackmounts. i generally build things as small as matx cases. the one im thinking of is a little larger than a briefcase

the stock cooler is the size of my hand and 2 inches tall

 

[mavertise]

I am currently trying to build a render farm using 1u chassis as well. Have you had any luck or managed to make your build yet? Any info would be great!