Mini-ITX music / data server

[PSSO]

I want to show you me home build mini-itx server for my music collection and for data backup.

The server consists of the following parts:

VIA EPIA-SN18000G motherboard, 1,8GHz CPU, Gigabit LAN, 4xSATA2
Corsair PC5300 DDR2 2048MB RAM
Chenbro ES34069 mini-itx cabinet with 4xSATA hotplug
2 x 1 TB WD Caviar GP WD10EACS "green" hard drives
Slimline DVD drive
Windows Server 2008 (OS)
SqueezeCenter 7

Price: 500 EURO + disks

Power consumption:
3,6W - standby
34,8W - idle
38.8W - music streaming
51,3W - scanning (max load)

When idle, the server goes to "sleep" after 2 hours. To "wake up" the server, I just power on my Transporter which sends a WOL (wake on lan) to the server.
I had a little problem with noise from the two 70mm fans in the Chenbro cabinet, but after changing the power to the fans from 12V to 7V the server is now very quite.

[jaime]

I just thought I let you know, I really like that case. Can you take a picture next to the computer or something that can give us a better perspective of it's size. Also, how did you get that from 12v to 7v? I'm curious because I just added a fan to my tivo computer and well, I may need to try and slow this side fan down a bit so I don't hear it as much. The inside gets better cooling now.

[PSSO]

You can find some pictures of the case here: http://usa.chenbro.com/corporatesite....php?serno=100 and http://www.xcase.co.uk/p/404991/chen...pre-order.html

Here is how you can get 7V to your fan

[PSSO]

Regarding performance. I have made a complete scan of my music library and I was suprised of how fast it was.

[jaime]

Now for the physical part, did you just take out the pins you didn't use or how did you make the actual connection? Splicing, etc? That's what my fan has. It has the same type of plug. Which is why I'm wondering about this.

I have seen the pictures of this case. I have a link to it from my page, but I would like to see it in a real setting where it's being used to get a better feel for it, that's all. Thanks for the info.

[ik632]

How is the overall build quality of the case? I'm considering one, but need an adapter card to add a few SATA ports. I have a D201GLY right now and it only has 1 IDE channel. Does it look like there's enough room for a flexible PCI riser and a separate PCI card inside the case (with the bracket removed of course).

[PSSO]

How is the overall build quality of the case? I'm considering one, but need an adapter card to add a few SATA ports. I have a D201GLY right now and it only has 1 IDE channel. Does it look like there's enough room for a flexible PCI riser and a separate PCI card inside the case (with the bracket removed of course).

The build quality of the case is excellent.
You can read more about PCI riser card on page 14 in the user's manual (http://usa.chenbro.com/corporatesite...pro&mk=100&sk=)
Check also this dual SATA PCI card - http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=42

[PSSO]

Now for the physical part, did you just take out the pins you didn't use or how did you make the actual connection? Splicing, etc? That's what my fan has. It has the same type of plug. Which is why I'm wondering about this.

If you want 7V to your fan, connect the + wire (red) to the yellow wire and the - wire (black) to the red wire of the four pin plug from the power supply.

[ik632]

The build quality of the case is excellent.
You can read more about PCI riser card on page 14 in the user's manual (http://usa.chenbro.com/corporatesite...pro&mk=100&sk=)
Check also this dual SATA PCI card - http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=42

Thanks for the links. I just need to find a 4 port SATA-PCI card for my board then.

[andynormancx]

I'm thinking about using that case. Do you know what temperature your drives are running at with the fans turned down to 7 volts ?