Render Farm

[Six8]

I've not used remote desktop. Will give that a test-drive, thanks.

Got any photos of your rack setup you're willing to share?

[TRGraphics]

Terrible picture, phone.
I fit 6 computers and battery backup, power conditioner, modem, router and switch onto this with pullout out shelfs for less than $100.00. It's on casters so I can move it around easily and it fits thru door ways. I usually keep it my closet, which has an AC vent and all stays cool.

[glorybound]

so those are just motherboards sitting on a shelf? cool, and resourceful!

[Six8]

Cool. Are you using ATX motherboards? Lying on the shelves or mounted some other way?

[TRGraphics]

I used plastic tabs in the screw holes to raise the mother boards off the shelf about 1/2" and hot glued them to the shelf. The boards are full size asus motherboards with 620 watt power supplies.

This setup saves me a good deal of room and when it's in the closet, no sound, no heat, I am very happy with it. It may not look good, but it works great and was cheap to make.

[flino2004]

my advice would be for now a good workstation and a good laptop... so you can keep modeling and applying materials and renderings previous meanwhile your workstation/rendernode is processing renderings so you have to spend much money at front.
After some months working and seing how the business goes I would set a minifarm... in my opinion a small rack 15u would work to for 6 nodes plus a network drive and switcher.

maybe you think that you need a farm because you are moonlighting and you don't have much time.... and remember that the hours that you use for your side work are less productive than your formal job because you are already tired.

Fernando

[Six8]

I'm very intrigued with your setup. If Bobby will forgive the thread-jack, a few more questions.
How is power switched, individually or ganged? All on one circuit?
What water-cooling system did you choose? Overclocked? What is your usual ambient room/closet temp?

Steven

[Morne]

KVM Switch.

I use to use one, now I just remote desktop into them, saves some cash there also

[Morne]

Hey Bobby I'm trying to send you a private message, but your inbox is full

[glorybound]

Okay. I cleaned up my inbox