[ale] [OT] Small, inexpensive cases or using threaded rods?

[JD]

A cluster for what purpose?
It matters.

I have a $100 system - it plays videos and serves storage, but not much else -
it just doesn't have the CPU to do much else.

At that price point, the compute power will be highly limited.

On 09/09/2014 05:28 PM, Jeff Layton wrote:
> Afternoon,
> 
> Work is done so I can turn my attention to better things :)
> 
> I'm looking at building a small cluster of 4 systems. Each
> system will have just the MB, memory, processor, and
> maybe an SSD or HD (no more than 2 per node). The
> boards are all micro-ATX or mini-ITX and I'm not sure which
> one I'm getting. I'm thinking about put each system in a
> small case with a power supply but I'd like to keep the
> case small.
> 
> In looking at Newegg the smaller cases are all fairly pricey
> even without power supplies ($40-$80). The MB+CPU is less
> than $100 (I don't know how much memory I'll put in just
> yet). Any recommendations? (BTW - the CPUs draw 25W).
> 
> The other alternative is going the "threaded rod" route. I've
> seen lots of people do this but I've never done. This would
> allow me to dump the case. Maybe something like this:
> 
> http://www.calvin.edu/~adams/research/microwulf/
> 
> Has anyone done this before and could give me some advice
> offline?
> 
> TIA and sorry for the interruption.
> 
> Jeff
>