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I am thinking of building my new server around an Asus Z9PE-D8 WS motherboard. But it's a big dual Xeon motherboard with four PCIe 3.0 slots which I plan to eventually fill up.

I will need a case that will accept an SSI EEB sized motherboard without the need for me to cut giant holes just to fit the motherboard inside.

I prefer big slow fans, like what you'd find in the Cooler Master HAF series cases (much bigger than the holes in the Mountain Mods cases), but I might have radiators in there too...

Basically, I think I need a wind-tunnel's worth of airflow and/or water loops for two CPU slots and up to four GPU cards (with as many as eight GPU chips total). The case, PSU, and cooling solution(s) must be able to support folding and graphic rendering which will be done by CPU cores AND the GPUs. It's gonna be a hot one. I would rather live in my house with no clothing on than find a slagged server one day.

Just to make it interesting, I would like to use a floor-standing case and not a rack.

I need your advice and big case ideas.

I decided to split the PSU off from the case topic because although I may buy them at the same time, I don't plan to buy them as a package deal. Additionally, the PSU discussion may diverge wildly from the case discussion. So for organizational purposes, I've edited my first post accordingly, and have opened a new thread on the PSU topic.

Hm, interesting. I think for a rendering machine you might look for a system that's certified, like Supermicro. I've had good experiences with their products, so far.

Check it:

http://www.supermicro.com/products/system/4U/7047/SYS-7047GR-TRF.cfm

That ought to do it!

Wow, only $1900. I was doing Google searches when you posted your answer, and found another Supermicro full system. I will most definitely investigate further. Thank you for your input!

The SuperMicro CSE-743TQ-865B-SQ's count of 8 hot-swappable drive bays is impressive.

Coolermaster Cosmos II.

JustAnEngineer wrote:

The SuperMicro CSE-743TQ-865B-SQ's count of 8 hot-swappable drive bays is impressive.

Will cases noted as "E-ATX" be able to accept an SSI EEB motherboard?

Deanjo wrote:

Coolermaster Cosmos II.

Same question. Does "Super ATX" include SSI EEB size?

Just make sure it can take 12"x13" and you should be good (the lesser ones that are labeled as "E-ATX" are the confusing part).

Any chassis that can fit an EATX motherboard can handle a SSI EEB board.

SSI EEB is really just a modified EATX board designed to work with the airflow of a 1U/2U rackmount chassis. Remember to get a PSU with 8-pin motherboard power connecter instead of 4 and 6-pin ATX12V motherboard power connecter.

Okay, thanks fellas. I will note this.

It sure sounds like the Supermicro cases and power supplies will probably fill my needs. I still need to research the guts and decide if I should buy a system already built, or spend more and build it my way. Just has been a busy day and I haven't had time yet.