An Era Ends

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03-22-2007, 02:31 PM
clocker

An Era Ends

Clocker says goodbye to watercooling.

In fact, I'm giving up on monster PCs altogether.

For the past few years I have spent uncounted amounts of money and endless hours assembling high performance, mostly watercooled, PCs for myself.
It was a hobby and I enjoyed it immensely.
I never actually used/exploited the capabilities of these beasts because quite frankly, I rarely do more than cruise the web and watch the occasional movie.
Mostly, I enjoyed the assembly process.

Since I bought the new car I've found a new way to squander my cash and energy so I've begun to liquidate (horrible pun intended) all the goodies that have been sitting idle for so long.
My coworker Eric and I collaborated on this latest (and nearly final) machine- he provided the hardware (dual socket 940 Opteron server board w/ 1GB registered RAM, 6800 Ultra vid card, 3 x 250GB Seagate HDDs) and I housed and cooled them (Coolermaster Stacker- extensively modified, Thermochill 3x120 rad, EK rez, Mpc355 pump w/ Petra top, DD Maze4 on the vid and D-tek and Swiftech blocks on the CPUs).

It is going to be used as a server by a local business (yes, the vid card is ridiculous in a server but it's the only AGP card we still had amongst us).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...er/server2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...er/server3.jpg
The cabling had not been finished in these shots, in fact, the PSU will probably be changed altogether but we await the customer's decision on budget.

I think my next PC is going to be a Shuttle or something like that but I really haven't looked into it much and probably won't till later this summer.

Was fun while it lasted.
03-22-2007, 05:14 PM
Skiz

Re: An Era Ends

Quote:

Originally Posted by clocker

Clocker says goodbye to watercooling.

In fact, I'm giving up on monster PCs altogether.

For the past few years I have spent uncounted amounts of money and endless hours assembling high performance, mostly watercooled, PCs for myself.
It was a hobby and I enjoyed it immensely.
I never actually used/exploited the capabilities of these beasts because quite frankly, I rarely do more than cruise the web and watch the occasional movie.
Mostly, I enjoyed the assembly process.

Since I bought the new car I've found a new way to squander my cash and energy so I've begun to liquidate (horrible pun intended) all the goodies that have been sitting idle for so long.
My coworker Eric and I collaborated on this latest (and nearly final) machine- he provided the hardware (dual socket 940 Opteron server board w/ 1GB registered RAM, 6800 Ultra vid card, 3 x 250GB Seagate HDDs) and I housed and cooled them (Coolermaster Stacker- extensively modified, Thermochill 3x120 rad, EK rez, Mpc355 pump w/ Petra top, DD Maze4 on the vid and D-tek and Swiftech blocks on the CPUs).

It is going to be used as a server by a local business (yes, the vid card is ridiculous in a server but it's the only AGP card we still had amongst us).

Spoiler: Show
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...er/server2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...er/server3.jpg

The cabling had not been finished in these shots, in fact, the PSU will probably be changed altogether but we await the customer's decision on budget.

I think my next PC is going to be a Shuttle or something like that but I really haven't looked into it much and probably won't till later this summer.

Was fun while it lasted.

It's always a bit tough to give up a hobby, but at least you've found something to replace it. What kind of car are you working on?

As for the Shuttle, they're quite nice and have come a good ways in the last five years. The thing I always hated about mine though was that you couldn't have two drives, but I see they've fixed that now with the P series.

I still have my XPC as a side computer for testing programs, downloaded OS's and the like.It has run almost 24/7 with the same 200W PSU for around five years now. It started making a hissing sound about 18 months ago, so I bought a 300W PSU to replace it once it goes out, but it's still running strong. :)
03-22-2007, 06:05 PM
thewizeard

Re: An Era Ends

It's beautiful..We have followed your threads with continued awe, amazement and often laughter. Thanks for all that, and all the things I have learnt from you, personally

Fancy running a file-sharing server on that monster? :D
03-23-2007, 12:44 PM
clocker

Re: An Era Ends

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skizo

What kind of car are you working on?

I bought a 1991 Mazda RX7 in early December.
Took nearly a month and a half to learn enough about it to pass emissions but now that is handled I can begin the fun stuff.
I've been amassing parts for a major chassis overhaul (all new hydraulics/calipers/rotors/cylinders, etc. along with new suspension and bushings)- just waiting for the weather to cooperate. In the meanwhile, the interior has been stripped and slowly reassembled (with minor upgrades).
Still need two big ticket items- rims and exhaust.
Selling off this PC should just about cover the wheels but the exhaust is a dilemma...desmogging her will gain a healthy horsepower bump (which my non-turbo engine could really use) but I'd be gambling on emissions in two years when I need to retest.
What to do, what to do?

Here's what she looked like right after I brought her home (notice the neighbor's Christmas decorations)...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ini-Mazda1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ker/Mazda2.jpg
No recent pics yet but the black rear wing has been replaced with the correct red version and I've washed and waxed it, the paint is in better shape than I thought but the body has many small dings/dents that I'm unsure about dealing with.
No rust anywhere, in fact, the undercarriage is nearly spotless- not at all certain how that happens with such an obviously abused car but I was glad to see it anyway.

It is such a different animal than my previous car ('71 240Z) that it's taken a while to get used to it.
The Z was a real old-school sports car and this is a much more refined GT cruiser...it even has AC!
The biggest difference though is torque...the straight six Datsun had it in abundance and the rotary Mazda has none. I never even used first gear in the Z (didn't have occasion to pull any stumps) but the RX will barely pull from second.
There is an upside though...the rotary absolutely screams from 4k RPM up to the 8k redline and she'll cruise without effort at 120MPH (took a road trip to Casper, WY last month and got to try it out...).

Now that the weather is beginning to cooperate I can really start to get dirty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewizeard

Fancy running a file-sharing server on that monster? :D

This PC is destined to become the main server for an Elite Auto Glass franchise.
We're also selling them 20 workstation machines.

Maybe I'll actually get a Christmas bonus this year...
03-23-2007, 02:40 PM
accat13

Re: An Era Ends

Quote:

Originally Posted by clocker

the paint is in better shape than I thought but the body has many small dings/dents that I'm unsure about dealing with.
No rust anywhere, in fact, the undercarriage is nearly spotless- not at all certain how that happens with such an obviously abused car but I was glad to see it anyway.

I wouldn't call that abuse for a 16-17 year car it looks rather well cared for to me...I doubt it has seen many winters...If that is the original paint it looks great....I'm sure it will look many times better when you finish with it....Just drive carefully :)
03-23-2007, 03:07 PM
clocker

Re: An Era Ends

Yes, the paint is original but the car is what I would consider a "twenty footer"- looks great from a distance (or on an overcast day like the pics) but starts to show her age up close.

I'm combing eBay and the RX forums for new hood, doors, fenders and front clip- preferably already the correct color ( which is made easier by the fact that Blaze Red was the most popular color...).
I've already located some of these parts but shipping is brutal, both pricewise and transit damage likelihood, so I've put the exterior on hold till the interior (which afterall is where I spend the majority of my time) and the basic mechanicals have been dealt with.

I always drive carefully (thanks for the thought, BTW)- in over 45 years of driving I've never even gotten a moving violation.:P
03-23-2007, 05:01 PM
markyp23

Re: An Era Ends

Yes, it's amazing the amount of money we waste on our PCs.

I am like you in that I get much better stuff than I need and my wallet feels the effects - it's so unnecessary, I should really learn to stop doing it.

Never had a watercooled setup before and so that may be my next venture.

Mark
03-23-2007, 05:37 PM
Virtualbody1234

Re: An Era Ends

Quote:

Originally Posted by markyp23

... I need and my wallet feels the effects - it's so unnecessary, I should really learn to stop doing it.

Never had a watercooled setup before and so that may be my next venture.

Mark

:frusty: :frusty: Can't you see that you failed to learn something?

Stop doing it!
03-23-2007, 07:52 PM
matt526

Re: An Era Ends

That is an Awesome car I had one my self a few years back, until th engine stopped working. I didn't have the money to fix it then so I sold it for parts for $200 :-(. I would love to get that car back :-(
03-23-2007, 08:32 PM
suprafreak6

Re: An Era Ends

i wish i had a car
03-24-2007, 06:18 PM
Gripper

Re: An Era Ends

Sad day,but have fun with your new venture,I have enjoyed drooling over the amazing machines you have created.
03-25-2007, 11:24 AM
lynx

Re: An Era Ends

This new C.A.R. project sounds interesting.

Will you be overclocking it?
What about cooling, will you be upgrading that too?

Seriously though, as I'm sure you are aware if you want real performance from that engine, a high flow exhaust system is a MUST. Whether you go down the expensive route and get a genuine high flow cat or save money and just dump the cat is up to you. You could always put the cat back on for the next inspection. :naughty:

Whichever route you take, watch out for the exhaust temps though. I used to know someone who rallied an RX7 with all the suitable mods and he set fire to the grass under the car on several occasions.
03-25-2007, 12:20 PM
clocker

Re: An Era Ends

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynx

This new C.A.R. project sounds interesting.

Will you be overclocking it?
What about cooling, will you be upgrading that too?
Not sure yet.
The first "cooling" mod will be the addition of a real water temp gauge.
The stock cluster gauge is actually fake...more of a three position indicator ("COLD", "NORMAL" and "YOU'RE ALREADY FUCKED") than a full sweep gauge.
As the weather warms up I'll see how the stock rad/fan are doing.
Aftermarket aluminum radiators abound (Koyos and Fluidyne) and aren't hideously expensive.

Seriously though, as I'm sure you are aware if you want real performance from that engine, a high flow exhaust system is a MUST. Whether you go down the expensive route and get a genuine high flow cat or save money and just dump the cat is up to you. You could always put the cat back on for the next inspection. :naughty:
A suitable cat for the car runs just under $500, which is horribly pricey for a part that hurts performance.
The exhaust currently installed is a cheap, all welded cobble-job, but it does have a cat which got me through emissions. This cat will probably be completely burnt up in another few months (as you noted, rotaries spew out very high exhaust temps) so something must be done.
I'm leaning towards removing the entire exhaust and going with a Racing Beat full roadrace twin system (no cat) and simply rebolting the cat system back on for the next test in two years. It's rumored that such a swap gains about 30+ RWHP, power the car could definitely use. Such a conversion will cost right at $1000 though so I'm exploring cheaper options. I don't want an obnoxiously loud car....

Whichever route you take, watch out for the exhaust temps though. I used to know someone who rallied an RX7 with all the suitable mods and he set fire to the grass under the car on several occasions.

I'm guessing that car was a turbo...
03-25-2007, 10:07 PM
Snee

Re: An Era Ends

Good luck with the new car.

Liked the old threads about your projects.

Do keep us updated on this as well.
03-26-2007, 09:07 AM
lynx

Re: An Era Ends

Quote:

Originally Posted by clocker

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynx

This new C.A.R. project sounds interesting.

Will you be overclocking it?
What about cooling, will you be upgrading that too?
Not sure yet.
The first "cooling" mod will be the addition of a real water temp gauge.
The stock cluster gauge is actually fake...more of a three position indicator ("COLD", "NORMAL" and "YOU'RE ALREADY FUCKED") than a full sweep gauge.
As the weather warms up I'll see how the stock rad/fan are doing.
Aftermarket aluminum radiators abound (Koyos and Fluidyne) and aren't hideously expensive.

Seriously though, as I'm sure you are aware if you want real performance from that engine, a high flow exhaust system is a MUST. Whether you go down the expensive route and get a genuine high flow cat or save money and just dump the cat is up to you. You could always put the cat back on for the next inspection. :naughty:
A suitable cat for the car runs just under $500, which is horribly pricey for a part that hurts performance.
The exhaust currently installed is a cheap, all welded cobble-job, but it does have a cat which got me through emissions. This cat will probably be completely burnt up in another few months (as you noted, rotaries spew out very high exhaust temps) so something must be done.
I'm leaning towards removing the entire exhaust and going with a Racing Beat full roadrace twin system (no cat) and simply rebolting the cat system back on for the next test in two years. It's rumored that such a swap gains about 30+ RWHP, power the car could definitely use. Such a conversion will cost right at $1000 though so I'm exploring cheaper options. I don't want an obnoxiously loud car....

Whichever route you take, watch out for the exhaust temps though. I used to know someone who rallied an RX7 with all the suitable mods and he set fire to the grass under the car on several occasions.

I'm guessing that car was a turbo...

Not the turbo, the original Mk 1 around 1980. No proper EMS to worry about, just bolted on a set of very big carbs, threw away most of the pipework around the engine intended to make it fuel efficient, changed the rev limiter to around 11k and it simply flew.
03-26-2007, 09:43 AM
clocker

Re: An Era Ends

That's a Wankel for you, highest HP/displacement ratio of any IC engine and lack of reciprocating parts means sky high revs.

My mother had a RX the first year they came out (in Canada that was 1978, a year before the States) and the only thing I really remember about it was it's propensity for massive backfires after it was shut down.
These days, Homeland Security would probably confiscate it....