alpenwasser
New member
[size=+2]General Build Info[/size]
Until this spring I had one PC (besides my laptop), which served as my work machine
as well as my data and media server. Since moving into our new apartment in fall
2011 we (primarily my dad and I) have been wanting to make a proper media PC
and a proper data server for all our data which we can also access from the outside
world via VPN connection. This would avoid having to sync between different work
machines and instead allow us to have one primary data repository (besides the
backups of course).
So along with my new primary rig (HELIOS, still under construction) we've decided
to create a new machine this spring, intended for both HTPC and server purposes.
Aside from that, it will also do some BOINC computing (I had the 2600k laying around
anyway, might as well use it). ZEUS is that rig.
[size=+2]The Name[/size]
Zwieback Exceeding Useful Specifications.
Because: Why not? Zwieback is a hilarious word, and in English doubly so :lol:
(I don't know why I think that, I just do.)
[size=+2]Main PC Guts[/size]
- M/B: MSI Z77A-GD65
- CPU: Intel i7 2600k
- RAM: TBD
- GPU: Onboard
- SSD: Intel 335 60 GB
- HDD's: 4 x WD RE4 2 TB
- HDD's: 3 x WD Red 3 TB
- PSU: BeQuiet 550 W
- Case: Fractal Design R4 w/ window side panel and a custom rear panel
[size=+2]W/C Parts[/size]
- CPU Block: EK Supreme HF Acetal/Copper
- Pump: Aquacomputer Aquastream Standard
- Res: Aquacomputer Aquainlet blue anodized
- Rad Fans: 3 x SP120 quiet
- Radiator: Alphacool NexXxos UT60 360 mm
[size=+2]Software[/size]
- OS: Arch Linux 64 bit
- Storage Software: ZFS via ZFS on Linux (bloody awesome! :rock: )
- Other: Will be connectable from outside our network via VPN
[size=+2]Modding[/size]
As can be seen on the pictures I have replaced the rear panel of the R4 with a new
custom one. Since I have no need for a dedicated GPU card I don't really need the
PCI-E slots.
This layout allows me to have proper W/C as well as a decent amount of HDDs inside
a still fairly compact case (which will be placed inside a sideboard in our living room,
so it can't be too large).
[size=+2]Temps[/size]
Temps are pretty good at the moment (although I'm still @stock for now):
- Ambient temp: 23.7 C
- Idle temps: 31 C, 31 C, 28 C, 27 C (four cores)
- Load temps (BOINC): 44 C, 45 C, 43 C, 42 C (stock voltages)
- HDD temps when CPU is under load: 41~42 C (RE4), 32~33 C (Red)
[size=+2]Future Updates[/size]
I'm very happy with the build, but I'm currently a bit tight on HDD space. Out of the
17 TB available, 5 TB are used for parity by ZFS, which leaves me with only about
12 TB of usable space. Out of that I currently only have ~1.8 TB left free, which is
a bit tight.
Therefore I will have to either modify HELIOS to add some decent amount of HDD
space to it (which I didn't plan originally), or I will possibly mod this case to add some
additional HDDs to it (connecting them via a SATA add-on card and a riser PCI-E
card, for which there is enough space between the M/B and the radiator). The nice
thing (among others) about ZFS is that you don't need to spend lots of money on
expensive RAID cards. ZFS works best when your disks are connected as JBOD,
for which a rather inexpensive disk controller will do perfectly fine.
Also, there is still overclocking to be done.
[size=+2]Pictures[/size]
(click image for full res)
(click image for full res)
(click image for full res)
(click image for full res)
(click image for full res)
Last edited:
I would have probably done it the same. Congrats on all your features 
