Project A340-750

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
03/02/2018 at 09:28 • Filed to: Unnecessary Computer Building With Mercedes, Computers, computerlopnik

Um...so...My dual Xeon build just hit a snag.

This was a Dell Dimension 4100. The case is in good physical condition, just very dirty.

I priced out sold listings on eBay. After refurbishing the Dimension’s parts, selling them (separately), and selling that iMac G3, I’ll profit on this build before I even boot Windows.

Only uh...one small problem...The drive cages interfere with the server board. Crap.

Well, I expected some case modding, time to get to it! Off with the front panel!

Eww...Clean the dust before moving further!!

Off with the drive cage!

Now, per my measurements I could now fit the board in. I gave it a try. Nope.

Uh...okay, so I guess that riveted metal flap now has to go?

There we go. Now, I’ll have to clean up that bent up metal later, but at least the board does fit now. In fact, it perfectly lines up with the rear IO slot in this case.

I’ll get a blank for the lower expansion bay and a USB hub (painted, of course) for the upper expansion bay. I’d get a disc drive that looks the part, but I don’t know how to secure it without a drive cage.

The good news is that after close examination, I think this case can be sufficient for air cooling now that I’ve opened it up a lot. The front panel actually has decent ventilation and due to the position of the PCI on the server board, I can use the rear PCI expansion slots as an additional vent.

This may have saved me from having to build my own imitation external-mount CPU AIO cooler, as fun as that would have been.

The seatbelt sign is still illuminated, hold on tight.

DISCUSSION (16)

Nibby > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 09:36

Nice work so far.

Does the front panel header fit the motherboard after removing that blocked pin? Also use some Goo Gone on that damn sticker.

I bought a NetVista from the same seller the next day after you bought this. Not sure what I’ll do with it yet.

How many drives are you planning on putting on this? Also I ended up with a spare case, the same exact one, but if you want it for another build just pay shipping and it’s yours.

Eberle-Hills-Cop > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 09:39

The first PC i ever played games on had that case, such nostalgia

Mercedes Streeter > Nibby
03/02/2018 at 10:02

Is this the same connector yours has?

Kinja'd!!!

I’m only going to have one hard drive in it, no optical since I have no idea how to get one to be secure without the cage.

Nibby > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 10:04

Yeah, same one. Remove the filler with a needle. Then it should fit in perfectly. You *might* have to trim the plastic clips on the sides of the connector and tape the whole thing a bit if necessary but it should work. The hard drive can go in the bay near the front panel, you would just need 2 long screws. As for the optical, you still have the removable drive cage right? Use a dremel or something to cut it a bit below the screws for the top drive bay.

random001 > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 10:05

I suggest adding a GMMK Mechanical Keyboard with Hako Clear switches from kono.store

Trust me.

Mercedes Streeter > Nibby
03/02/2018 at 10:22

Whew, I know Dell started using weird connectors around 2000 so I was scared for a second there.

Oh!! That’s smart! I do have the original drive cage, it’s kinda just chilling out on the floor. I’ll need something that cuts metal though. I have a Dremel, maybe I’ll get a metal cutter for it. That way I don’t have to fashion a drive cage out of something else and I can clean up that flap I bent. I want to put a fan in the front panel bay, I already have an idea for where to hide the HDD. :)

As for your offer, I don’t need any more cases at this time (Miss Honda would kill me...or kiss me???) just a single beige drive cover. lol

Nibby > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 10:32

And make sure you nab a 90mm fan for the rear... you can finagle another one in the front but it’s a bit of work. I used these; they blow a decent amount of air and are quiet. Use ‘em in my main desktop.

Oh and one thing to be aware of, the rear I/O shield probably won’t fit.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186034

MatisyahuSerious > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 10:47

omg, memories.

quick story: i met my wife 22 years ago, online, on a chat site. i once visited the chat’s company headquarters, as i had befriended the admins, and i asked to see the server we met on - it was a Dimension that looked precisely like that.

excuse me for a sec, i think i have fan dust in my eyes...

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 13:06

Now that I see how big the board actually is and where the sockets are in relation to the case, I’d say the gigantic Thermalright fan idea goes out the window unless you can find a thinner HSF from them...

I might have a soft spot for Thermalrights because my old rig had a Thermalright clamped on top.

Mercedes Streeter > MatisyahuSerious
03/02/2018 at 16:19

Sounds like I made an excellent choice in computer case!

Speaking of fan dust...*shudder*

Mercedes Streeter > Nibby
03/02/2018 at 16:20

I didn’t get an I/O shield, so I’m not worried about that. As it is, I’ll be zip-tying the board to the mobo standoffs because the case just wasn’t made for so much girth (lol).

Mercedes Streeter > random001
03/02/2018 at 16:21

Oddy specific, I’ll look into it!

Mercedes Streeter > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
03/02/2018 at 16:21

Maybe in my next build! ;)

Nibby > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 17:04

well keep me posted! this sounds like a fun project. also dem netvistas

Kinja'd!!!

random001 > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 20:11

The Hakos are the best switches I’ve ever had, and the GMMK is the least expensive switch swappable board I know. Plus, I can save you 15%.

cberg > Mercedes Streeter
03/02/2018 at 21:38

I’ve been meaning to do just about the same thing, I have one of those same towers but it’s an XPS, could be nice having 3 XPS machines with one being beige.