Why is everyone using racks instead of ATX cases for GPU mining?

[edop2005]

I m wondering why no one is using a proper case for 4x GPU mining rigs.

The cons I can see are (in my perceived order of importance):
-can only handle 4x GPUs
-adds to the cost (about 50$)
-lowers air flow
-can only be used with blower style cooler GPUs (open air coolers won't work because the cards are too close to each other)


Pros:

-it seems a bit more compact that racks
-noise levels would seem lower
-lower risk of short circuit/things falling appart if someone (dog/cat/kid) bumps in the computer/in case of earthquake
-it would be easier to repurpose the machine to something else should GPU mining become unprofitable
-it would seem easier to stack up machines for a mid sized farm (about 10 machines )

I m currently mining with my existing computer which I upgraded to 4x RX480 reference with blower fans and I m very happy with it.
I have kids running around and live in Japan where earthquakes are common so I would never use racks.

I seem to be the exception. Why is everyone using racks?

[adaseb]

Like you said. Better airflow and its cheaper. And a closed case can't fit 6 GPUs

[Tmdz]

Also you can use dual fan coolers instead of reference cards, they are quieter and gamers like em for resale later on.

[KougarLOB]

Maintenance is easier when you can get your hands around all the cards.  I opted to use a wood frame out of a bench from Ikea.  Introducing Molger, named for the bench.  Mining meets home decor!

http://s230.photobucket.com/user/KougarLOB/library/Molger

Photos were taken after the frame completion.  Removed planks were formed into shelves.  The frame will soon be running five cards - 290X, 480, 390 (x2), and 1060.  Laser cut acrylic sheet with tiny vent holes was placed above the downward facing motherboard (with nylon spacers) to prevent falling debris from shorting the board.  A few recycled 24V fans running 12V push fresh air across the motherboard and hash chamber.  Supplemental power to be provided by HP server PSU on a lower shelf.  Sleeved PCI-E power cables will be discretely secured to the frame.  Primary hard drive is a M.2 chip.  Upper HDD cage is for BURST mining.  Custom soldered circuit board holds power and reset switches, Power/HDD LEDs, and a 5v/12v breakout circuits for fans.  I will soon add a small cover above this board.  Holes were bored as to not block the normal exhaust ports - never got around to staining the insides.  Unseen in the photos is a 12v cross-flow fan (running 5v) under the two 120mm fans that blows through the hash chamber.

Even with all the holes and modifications the bench still holds my fat ass.  Can you sit on your miner?  Great foot warmer.  Form and Function!

I have another steel full tower case with 16 hard drives jammed in with three video cards.  Only one card is a blower style cooler.  The other two cards' exhaust is evacuated by three 5v 40mm fans that blow through manufactured holes near the cards.  All of this is powered by a 1000W Titanium PSU.  No pics yet.

I typically build all my own power cables.

[jezus]

Racks need more space and i dont have.

[Nebell]

Also most of us don't live in Japan.
No earthquakes in Sweden. I think there was one in the past 20 years, which was barely felt.
And most of us run more than 4 cards. Waste of a motherboard/cpu/psu if you go with too few cards.

[adaseb]

There are more cons for the open rigs. Like most likely your mom/girlfriend/wife will hate looking at it and since its open air its hard to direct the air-flow; which is bad for the summer.

[QuintLeo]

Cases limit airflow.

 Cases that CAN mount 4x GPU are kinda expensive, adding to the length of time needed to ROI a rig. I've not seen any $50 case (except VERY RARELY on sales) that can do so, but I have seen some on sale in the $60 range.
 You also NEED to add high-flow fans to get enough cooling into them - which adds more cost *AND EATS MORE POWER* than an open-air rig with the same components.

 RACK mount cases are even MORE expensive AND you have to customise them, or they are QUITE A BIT MORE expensive - *AND* there is no point to them unless you have or buy the rack they're designed to mount it.


 You CAN use fan-type cards in a case - but you better have VERY good airflow through that case and plenty of places for the hot air to exhaust from close to the GPUs.

[RamaLo]

I have an Antec Nine Hundred - I got it for less than 50 bucks, second hand.
Man, that case is big! However, I can't get more than 3 GTX1060 cards (maybe 4 with some modding) in it and the air flow is not optimal so some of them are getting hotter.
But I don't have any space available in my apartment for a mining rig so it stays in my living. Heat and noise are an issue right now.

A rack would be much better from my point of view - improved air flow and temperatures, reduced noise - but I have to live with a case for now.

LE: I have removed the HDD rack from the 900 so it has plenty of space - at first sight, at least.

[Vaccinus]

rack are very cheap, i can build one good rack with alluminium, open frame, for just $30, with very good airflow and everything

Like you said. Better airflow and its cheaper. And a closed case can't fit 6 GPUs

4u can fit, but normal gaming can not, still 4u can be seen as a gaming rig