1U PC for XITE

[Tau]

Hi! Been reading up on this topic here in Z... I have to replace my laptop for live work, and everytime I think about that, I tend to think that maybe I'd be better off with a "portable" desktop machine. The Macbook Pro I'm using for the XITE is working very well in terms of Scope, but it just won't do much in terms of VST with low latency (DualCore CPU), and I do need a machine that can handle (more than) a few plugins so I can build a set with all songs ready to play without reloading projects.

In theory, it looks possible to have a 1U rack case with just a couple of SSDs and the XITE PCIe card to go (OS software and audio), and have a separate rack in the studio with all the extra hard drives with samples and projects connected via eSATA. This way I could use the same machine in the studio and on stage, which would be helpful in terms of licences etc.

Thing is I have some doubts about the 1U design, especially when it comes to heat dissipation. I wouldn't like to have those tiny fans whizzing away the whole time, but I know from experience that inadequate cooling impairs performance to a great degree. Let's say I could get an external, silent PSU, and use only SSD drives. Would it take any more fans other than the CPU cooler? Another problem is the graphics, which would have to be built in... Would need a Mobo with dual outputs, maybe needing some more cooling?

I have been looking at the Lenovo w520 as a serious option, but it is a bit expensive for me right now, and I do need a solution pretty quick. I could use some real life help, so I'm not looping over these thoughts.

Thanks in advance for your input.

T

[jksuperstar]

Depending on the CPU, the graphics can be built-in already.

Listed as described, you can probably pull off a 1U rack. But things are damn tight, and you have to buy a specific motherboard for a specific rack case. There aren't too many choices because of this.

However, a 2U doesn't weight more, only takes 1 more rack space, and opens the options you have to choose from. Larger/Quieter fans, more generic choices available for motherboards, and any typical CPU cooler will work (the reason 1U boards are so specific is because you have to use a special CPU cooler, which means you have to have a mother board with the caps placed far enough away from the CPU, and the CPU placed specifically on the board for the rack to blow air by cooler...). I would feel more comfortable with some thing like that breathing and surviving on stage.

I know, because I tried going down the 1U path, but it wasn't very successful, and to do it again I would just use a 2U case and be done with it.

[garyb]

2 or 3 space is a lot easier.

[Tau]

Thanks for your input!

The 2U or 3U sure seems like a better option, for sure. I have my studio PC in a 3U, but it's less than portable... really heavy, actually. And I can fit the XITE in my laptop bag, so I may go for the lenovo instead. Portability is a key issue for me, I was thinking of having PC and XITE in a 3U rollercase, but i don't think it's going to work as desired.

@jksuperstar, I read you have the Lenovo, are you using 32 or 64 bit Windows? I need to have Live and some plugins alongside Scope, not sure as to what OS I should go for, though...

[jksuperstar]

I do have 64 bit on the Lenovo w520. I don't use XTC mode at all, and every now & then there's an issue with the occasional SCOPE device that doesn't have 64 bit support. But it's rare, and most things I need, work fine.

I also run ableton Live, and it seems very happy on the w520. I don't have any issues whatsoever. I also haven't completely tuned the thing for audio (shutting down the built-in audio, etc). But Alacrity-PC helps me shutdown most of the other stuff I don't need, without needing to gut the machine of software utilities entirely. It's fairly easy to use the power controls lenovo provides, but it can be tricky at times.. Switching video from nvidia to intel is really seemless, but can be controlled through the power settings, also. USB seems particularly quick, with low latencies from the ports (many do NOT share an internal hub, but are root ports themselves).

[Tau]

Yes, I feel more inclined to the Lenovo... Thanks for sharing your experience.

After a few years on Macs, I'm finding it really hard to pick and choose the components to self-assemble a PC, though I have built many already... Haven't been keeping up with the progress, I guess.

This will also be my first go at Win 64bit, let's see how it goes. I'll be letting you know

Cheers,

T

[dawman]

I am building a VST death machine in a 1U.
I can confirm the chassis and parts are all perfect for what a DAW would require.
The only problem with the new i7 3770k is the heat will drastically increase the wattage if overclocked. And I only waqnt to OC incrementally to the rated wattage of 99 watts, which means 3-400MHz at best.

But in my experience, overclocking has little gains for sample playback instruments, but for synths I am sure it helps.
ADK Laptops are very powerful but cost over twice what my 1U will cost, having even faster SSDs and 4 x drives.

Check out the Asus Z77 Sabertooth and read Kyle Bennets review at www.hardocp.com
Even though I will purchase adifferent 1U HSF, the Dynatron K129, the design and air flow combined with the Supermicro C350 chassis is what the doctor ordered, at least for me.

[Tau]

Hi Jimmy,

I was reading up on your 1U build project, you have obviously done your homework My plan, though, was to use the SKB case i got from you, which is short depth, and I'm really not very confident about the heat issue with the XITE in there too, let alone with the A16U.

I haven't made up my mind completely, I was just about to order the lenovo, but the shop had a system error, and couldn't process my request. So it's another evening of headscratching for me I'll read up on the links you posted!

Thanks!!!

[garyb]

for a 3u, a short case like this will fit in a standard skb case and it won't be super heavy, expensive or a crazy tight fit inside the case:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3U-Depth-14-96- ... 5ae6b63448

[Immanuel]

I was thinking of having PC and XITE in a 3U rollercase

I'd chicken out on storing a PC and Xite in a rollercase. Stuff gets a lot of bumps, when you roll over anything but really flat surfaces.

[garyb]

i kinda agree, but actually, i think that the computer itself would hate the shocks more than the XITE would.

one other thing about racking for portability, if there is anything that MIGHT bump the hdmi cable during transport, i would disconnect the cable when moving the rig. the hdmi connectors are definitely the weakest link in the chain. the one on the XITE is fairly sturdy(but only for that type of connector), but the one on the pci-e card won't put up with any abuse.

[Tau]

Some sensible advice here.

The Express card tends to spring out if you apply pressure to the connector cable, so that's another one to look out for.

I am leaning towards the Lenovo, as I know I can fit both laptop and XITE (without the rack ears) in my travel bag. I have used this sort of combo in the past, it's not too heavy, and I can carry it on an airplane no problems. Should be more practical and safe to transport, surely at the expense of some computing power...

Thanks for your input!

T

[dawman]

I forgot all about that case and even promised it to my kid years ago, and then one day he said he wanted that case and has a 2U design with an old Scope card on a rise, and Ableton Barely Live as the DAW.
I tore the garage apart and eas thinking someone dug through my Sanford & Son styled audio junkyard, and now I remember what happened.
Thanks, and Good Luck.

[Tau]

Ableton Barely Live

hehe...

yes, I have the case here... I do use it, not every day, but often enough... It was meant for the magma rack back in the day, and it made a few travels with me.

[dawman]

http://www.kitguru.net/components/memor ... ry-review/

This looks like great RAM.
It's very tiny, 30nm. It's voltage stock is 1.35v.
From my experience though, when really loading up these mobo's with RAM for sampled instruments, I have had to go into the DRAM Voltage and drop it to where Intel suggests on the i7s at 1.5v
The Z77s appear that using this RAM, 16GBs w/ 1.5v will OC the RAM speed to 2133MHz which seems like no biggie, but does allow lots more of polyphony from what I have learned.
I use 4 x Kontakt Instrument Banks, each with 16 large instruments, and NCW lossless audio in Kontakt allows 50% less of a RAM footprint.
So it loioks like I found the RAM for a 1U that I want.
Its cheap as hell too..................