Computer Case

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  1. Computer Case: A Comprehensive Technical Overview

This document provides a detailed technical overview of the “Computer Case” server configuration, outlining its hardware specifications, performance characteristics, recommended use cases, comparisons with similar configurations, and essential maintenance considerations. This configuration represents a balanced approach to performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness for a wide array of server applications.

1. Hardware Specifications

The “Computer Case” configuration is not a complete server *per se*, but rather a standardized chassis build-out. It defines the foundational elements housing server-grade components. The following specifications detail the components utilized within the case, providing a baseline for performance expectations. Component selections are designed for optimal compatibility and airflow.

Component Specification Details Vendor (Example)
Case Form Factor 4U Rackmount Standard 19-inch rack width, 7 inches in height. Ensures compatibility with standard server racks. Provides ample space for expansion and cooling. Supermicro
Motherboard Dual Intel Xeon Scalable Processor Support Supports up to two 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (e.g., Gold 6338). Chipset: Intel C621A. Form Factor: ATX. Includes IPMI 2.0 for remote management. <a href="/wiki/IPMI">IPMI</a> is essential for out-of-band management. Supermicro X12DPG-QT6
CPU Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 32 Cores/64 Threads per CPU. Base Frequency: 2.0 GHz. Turbo Frequency: 3.4 GHz. Cache: 48 MB. TDP: 205W. Supports <a href="/wiki/AVX-512">AVX-512</a> instruction set. Intel
RAM 256GB DDR4 ECC Registered 8 x 32GB DDR4 3200MHz ECC Registered DIMMs. Supports up to 8TB total. <a href="/wiki/ECC_Memory">ECC (Error-Correcting Code)</a> memory is crucial for server stability. Samsung
Storage - Primary 2 x 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD High-performance NVMe SSDs for operating system and frequently accessed data. Read Speed: 7000 MB/s, Write Speed: 5500 MB/s. Protocol: <a href="/wiki/NVMe">NVMe</a> over PCIe Gen4 x4. Samsung 980 Pro
Storage - Secondary 8 x 16TB SAS 7.2K RPM HDD High-capacity SAS HDDs for bulk storage. Interface: SAS 12Gbps. Supports RAID configurations. <a href="/wiki/SAS_Interface">SAS</a> offers higher reliability and performance compared to SATA. Seagate Exos X16
RAID Controller Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8-port SAS/SATA RAID controller with 4GB cache. Supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD. <a href="/wiki/RAID_Levels">RAID</a> provides data redundancy and performance enhancements. Broadcom
Network Interface Card (NIC) Dual Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Intel X710-DA2. Supports <a href="/wiki/RDMA">RDMA</a> for low-latency networking. Intel
Power Supply Unit (PSU) 1600W Redundant 80+ Platinum Provides ample power for all components with redundancy for high availability. 80+ Platinum certification for energy efficiency. <a href="/wiki/Power_Supply_Efficiency">Power Supply Efficiency</a> impacts operational costs. Supermicro
Cooling System Redundant High-Speed Fans Multiple high-speed fans (8 total) strategically positioned for optimal airflow. <a href="/wiki/Server_Cooling">Server Cooling</a> is critical for maintaining stability and preventing thermal throttling. Includes temperature sensors and fan speed control. Delta Electronics
Remote Management Dedicated IPMI LAN Separate Gigabit Ethernet port for IPMI access. Allows for remote power control, KVM-over-IP, and system monitoring. Integrated on Motherboard

2. Performance Characteristics

The “Computer Case” configuration delivers robust performance suitable for demanding server workloads. Performance metrics were obtained through standardized benchmarks and real-world application testing.

  • **CPU Performance:** The dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 processors provide excellent multi-threaded performance.
   * **SPECint_rate2017:** 150.2
   * **SPECfp_rate2017:** 125.8
   * These scores indicate strong performance in integer and floating-point calculations, respectively.
  • **Storage Performance:** The NVMe SSDs offer exceptional read/write speeds, resulting in fast boot times and application loading.
   * **CrystalDiskMark (Sequential Read):** 6800 MB/s (average)
   * **CrystalDiskMark (Sequential Write):** 5300 MB/s (average)
   * The SAS HDDs, while slower, provide high capacity for long-term storage.  RAID 5 configuration offers a good balance between performance and redundancy.
  • **Network Performance:** The dual 10GbE NICs provide high-bandwidth network connectivity.
   * **Iperf3 throughput:** 9.5 Gbps (average)
   * **Latency:** < 1ms (within the local network)
  • **Real-World Application Performance:**
   * **Virtualization (VMware vSphere):** Supports up to 40 virtual machines with 4 vCPUs and 16GB RAM each.
   * **Database Server (PostgreSQL):**  Handles up to 10,000 concurrent connections with query response times under 50ms.
   * **Web Server (Apache):**  Serves up to 5,000 requests per second.

These results demonstrate the configuration’s ability to handle a significant workload. Performance can be further optimized through careful <a href="/wiki/Server_Tuning">Server Tuning</a> and application-specific configuration.

3. Recommended Use Cases

This configuration is ideally suited for the following applications:

  • **Virtualization Host:** The high core count and large memory capacity make it an excellent platform for running virtual machines.
  • **Database Server:** The fast storage and robust processing power can handle demanding database workloads. Supports both relational (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases.
  • **Application Server:** Suitable for hosting enterprise applications with high performance requirements.
  • **Web Server:** Can handle significant web traffic and provide fast response times.
  • **High-Performance Computing (HPC):** While not a dedicated HPC cluster node, it can serve as a powerful single node for smaller HPC workloads. <a href="/wiki/HPC_Clusters">HPC Clusters</a> often require more specialized hardware.
  • **Data Analytics:** The large memory and fast storage are beneficial for data processing and analysis.
  • **Media Encoding/Transcoding:** The CPU’s processing power can accelerate media encoding and transcoding tasks.
  • **Backup Server:** The high-capacity storage provides ample space for backups.



4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The “Computer Case” configuration competes with several other server configurations. The following table compares it to two similar options: a 1U server and a tower server.

Feature Computer Case (4U Rackmount) 1U Rackmount Server Tower Server
Form Factor 4U Rackmount 1U Rackmount Tower
Expansion Slots High (7-8) Limited (2-4) Moderate (4-6)
Storage Capacity High (Up to 128TB+) Moderate (Up to 24TB) High (Up to 64TB+)
Cooling Capacity Excellent Limited Good
Noise Level Moderate High Low
Scalability Excellent Moderate Good
Cost Moderate Moderate to High Low to Moderate
Density (servers per rack) Moderate High Low
Remote Management Excellent (IPMI) Excellent (IPMI) Basic (sometimes)
    • Analysis:**
  • **1U Rackmount Servers:** Offer higher density but often compromise on cooling and expansion capabilities. They are ideal for environments where space is at a premium.
  • **Tower Servers:** Are generally more affordable and quieter, but they lack the scalability and density of rackmount servers. They are suitable for smaller businesses or departmental servers.
  • **“Computer Case” (4U Rackmount):** Strikes a balance between density, scalability, cooling, and cost. It’s a versatile option for a wide range of server applications.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining the "Computer Case" configuration requires regular attention to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

  • **Cooling:** Regularly check fan operation and airflow. Clean dust from fans and heatsinks at least every six months, or more frequently in dusty environments. Monitor CPU and component temperatures using <a href="/wiki/Server_Monitoring_Tools">Server Monitoring Tools</a>. Ensure proper rack ventilation.
  • **Power Requirements:** The 1600W PSU requires a dedicated circuit. Ensure the electrical infrastructure can handle the load. Monitor power consumption to identify potential issues. Test the redundant PSU functionality regularly.
  • **Storage:** Monitor disk health using SMART tools. Regularly check RAID array status and rebuild any failed drives promptly. Implement a robust <a href="/wiki/Backup_and_Disaster_Recovery">Backup and Disaster Recovery</a> plan.
  • **Software Updates:** Keep the operating system, firmware, and drivers up to date to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance.
  • **Remote Management:** Ensure the IPMI interface is properly configured and secured. Regularly review IPMI logs for any anomalies.
  • **Physical Security:** The server should be housed in a secure data center or server room with restricted access.
  • **Cable Management:** Proper cable management is essential for airflow and ease of maintenance.
  • **ESD Precautions:** Always use proper electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions when handling server components. <a href="/wiki/ESD_Protection">ESD Protection</a> is vital to prevent component damage.
  • **Regular Inspections:** Visually inspect the server for any signs of damage, such as loose cables or swollen capacitors.



This document provides a comprehensive overview of the “Computer Case” server configuration. By understanding its specifications, performance characteristics, and maintenance requirements, administrators can ensure its reliable and efficient operation. Further details on specific components can be found in their respective documentation.


Intel-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB CPU Benchmark: 8046
Core i7-8700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB CPU Benchmark: 13124
Core i9-9900K Server 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB CPU Benchmark: 49969
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Workstation 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000

AMD-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Ryzen 5 3600 Server 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 17849
Ryzen 7 7700 Server 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 35224
Ryzen 9 5950X Server 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 46045
Ryzen 9 7950X Server 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 63561
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 9454P Server 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe

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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️