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Topic: 1U Computer Guys.......... - Page: 1

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Ok I have a Mixdeck and I love it, anyways the flight case has a lot of room to raise the unit up about another inch (maybe more if you wanted). Anyways I have been doing some reading and these 19" rack computers are around the same price as a decent but they can be upgraded and some are just power houses. I'm thinking I wanna put one of these in the case under the Mixdeck and then buy a small 10" touch screen to go with it (I figure then I won't need a mouse or keyboard, could be wrong though) and have everything in a one package. Well after searching around and reading up I found one that looks promising, http://www.superlogics.com/industrial-computers/rack-mount-pc-computer/SL-1U-GF9300-LG/265-3926.htm#access
I would like you thoughts on it, good or bad or maybe you have some other recommendations that would be better but along that price range. Also the size is 19x11, I would to keep it around there if at all possible.

So fill me in, I'm looking forward to your input!! Thanks for the time and info
Huey
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 1:11 am
Man I like that thing!! Upgrade the RAM in that baby.. I dont know anything about these things, but I assume it would be awesome if set up correctly.
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 1:57 am
Also upgrade to the Quad Core. But I almost wonder if it would be alot cheaper to build one yourself.
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 1:59 am
jbart19PRO InfinityMember since 2011
I have a mixdeck too and this is a really interesting idea - I am sure it could be done but the biggest issue will be heat when dealing with desktop class processors. Gets the brain spinning though .......

This might be a better option http://www.superlogics.com/industrial-computers/rack-mount-pc-computer/SL-1U-3-H67BL-LG/265-4047.htm

after doing some measurements with some very slight modifications to the foam inserts in my Mixdeck case you could get up to 2.5" of vertical space under the mixdeck and dimensions of 20" x 12" to create your pc - I have seen a lot of custom cases with much less room than this
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 2:21 am
jbart19PRO InfinityMember since 2011
If I was looking to to do this I think I would start with a build something like this:


http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-120-102W-power-kit $60 Power Supply
http://www.mini-box.com/M350-VESA-Display-Mounts $30 Mounting Bracket
http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure $40 Case
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359809 $100 Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361415 $70 Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364226 $90 Ram
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0352226 $150 External Hard Drive
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0319543 $30 Wireless Adapter
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361168 $140 Win 7 Pro
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364779 $140 SSD for OS

Problem is that comes out to around $900 before adding the touch screen. You can get a pretty nice laptop for that money but this would be a very decent rig.

Would need a little miscellaneous hardware to mount it I would create a backing plate on the underside of the case to carry the load form the VESA mounting kit and High density foam to build risers to support the mixdeck. If you know how to build a PC this would not be a hard project though.

Without having to follow the links here are the basic specs:

3.1 ghz I3 Dual core processor
8gb low power Ram
HD 2000 Graphics with HDMI out
Wireless N Networking
3TB main HD w/ USB 3.0
64GB internal SSD for Operating System

=====================================================

My main concern would be doing searches for songs without a keyboard - the way a touch screen would be mounted it could be difficult to type in search terms


Could use something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823701035 $55

I use that to sit in bed and connect my TV to my laptop. Set the laptop next to the TV and connect to my laptop's blutooth and just use this keyboard form across the room.

Would need to ad a bluetooth dongle to the PC

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833340019 $10

At that point the screen would not need to be touch capable though.
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 4:30 am
As far as heat goes I would mod the case, basically have a removable back panel like the front. I figure that should help it breath alitte more. For the screen I could build a mount no problem there. I would for sure up the ram as well as the processor.

Thanks for the time fellas
Huey
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 8:46 am
mp3jrickPRO InfinityHonorary MemberMember since 2003
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 10:24 am
Nice Rick, thats exactly what I had in mind but not quite so big, lol! I got a good feeling about this project.

Thanks for the time and info
Huey
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 10:45 am
mp3jrickPRO InfinityHonorary MemberMember since 2003
Well that unit was backbreaking HUGE, but the mount was the most important part.

Watch out for the heat with that 1u.

With my new smaller system I keep thinking I am forgetting something when I head out for a gig.
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 10:58 am
Any suggestions as far as keeping the heat in line? I plan on making the back panel removeable like the front of the case but if I can do any more to help I'm all ears, lol!

Thanks for the time and info
Huey
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 11:49 am
I would make a few holes in the bottom of the case and put in a few fans, some for intake and some for exhaust, that would get the air flowing over your cpu and gpu. computer fans cost nothing on ebay
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 12:28 pm
jbart19PRO InfinityMember since 2011
As far as heat I think daisy chaining a few of these would be easy to mount and would move plenty of air.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835888309


The case I would be using allows the standard CPU fan to be used and has a spot to add a 40mm fan to the front panel along with a perforated skin that allows a lot of convection flow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835191001

That monitor mount looks promising but wouldn't really work on the mixdeck case since the top of the case has to go to vertical before being removed that would cause some issues for mounting the monitor directly to the case. trying to figure that out as we speak.

just to be sure we are all on the same page - we are all referring these design ideas to the standard Numark 2- piece road case right?

Just looked at the pricing again, the original link for the 1u unit you started the thread with did not include an OS and only 1GB of ram along with only a 500 GB HD for $650 Adding an OS and upping the RAM total to usable amount brings you right up to where my design sits at just under $900.
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 12:34 pm
My case is 2 parts, the bottom and the lid. The lid opens all the way up and it has the hook hinges so that monitor stand would work, youd just have to fold it forward over the Mixdeck not back like Ricks. As for the OS I have it already so pretty much I just need the RAM and a bigger harddrive. This is gonna be badass, lol!!

Huey
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 12:44 pm
jbart19PRO InfinityMember since 2011
So you were planning on having the monitor rest inside the mixdeck case while traveling with it? I don't see how there is enough space to have the monitor rest on top of the mixdeck and build the computer underneath. Based on my measurements - which I took by raising the mixdeck up on stacked CD's until faders made a slightly noticeable impression on the foam in the case lid when I closed and locked it down - not the most scientific approach but very useable - there is a total of 2.5" of vertical space inside the case that the mixdeck does not use. nowhere near enough to have both the computer and the monitor inside the case when closed.
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 12:54 pm
Bro Im only gonna be using a 10" touch screen, not some 19" monitor. If DJDAB can do all of this with a case alittle bigger then a turntable case then I can do it with this. It helps to work in a machine shop, lol! If all else fails I build another lid with a little more head room, but I dont think I'll have to ;-)

Huey
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 12:58 pm
jbart19PRO InfinityMember since 2011
yeah the machine shop access makes it a little easier :)


If you just modified the current lid hinge system to have removable pins where you could pop out the pins and lift the lid off vertically instead of having to hinge backward it would make things a lot less complicated.

If you remove the foam from the bottom of the case you can get almost another 1/2" of vertical space.
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 1:06 pm
This is a little off topic but you should get two screens and make a skin that is 2152 pixels wide (twice the size) and have the browser on a touch screen & vdj on another normal screen, just put a some drop zones on the browser screen and you would be sweet for having a 4 deck skin and be able to see it. Also you should try to fabricate a hinge so the screen collapses into the case, this looks like a good lightweight touchscreen

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mimo-Monster-Touch-10-inch-USB-Touchscreen-Monitor-/290592874131?pt=Computer_Monitors&hash=item43a8af5e93
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 1:27 pm
mp3jrickPRO InfinityHonorary MemberMember since 2003
Huey
When I ditched the rack mount I began using a second padded laptop bag for my 17 monitor, did it for years that way.
Worked like a charm.
Just one of those things I think I am missing when I leave for a gig now, lol.
 

Posted Sun 31 Jul 11 @ 1:28 pm
jbart19PRO InfinityMember since 2011
Thought about this a little more came up with a combo that will use the least vertical space and should be significantly more powerful than the original link for about the same price:


http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359809 ---------------$70 3.1Ghz I-3 Processor w/ HD2000 graphics

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361415 ---------------$100 Motherboard

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364226 ---------------$90 8GB low power Ram

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364641 ---------------$35 N-Wireless adapter

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145472 ---------------$180 3TB HD 7200rpm 64MB cache

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811165405 ---------------$130 Case 1u 19"x11"x1.75"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835114094 ---------------$30 low profile CPU cooler

Total price - $635

you said you already have an OS to install still the heat could be an issue but the processor is only 65w so that should help and the ram is specially designed for low power and heat.

This will easily fit under the mixdeck with room to spare on top for your monitor on top. :)
 

Posted Tue 02 Aug 11 @ 4:30 am
Well looks nice but it won't work cause the CPU cooler is a 2U design, those Hitachi drives are know to die rather quickly (I've heard) and your missing the CD/DVD drive. I'm not rich but i m a firm believer in 'you gotta pay to play. Summers almost over so things will slow down here so it'll be a nice winter project, lol! Appreciate the finds though.

Huey
 

Posted Tue 02 Aug 11 @ 7:12 am
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