Server Rack Build

[daytonausa]

A friend of mine did a similar build several months ago and inspired me to do this. We both share the same disdain for "toys r us" man caves, and wanted something that allowed us access to our gaming consoles while being able to be buttoned up so it was presentable and clean without our office.

This will be a record of my progress. I'm several days into the actual build, but figured I'd share where I'm at so far. I've had the server rack for several months, and delayed the build due to a new home build...that just fell through as the builder demanded an extra 60 grand. So, wife and I figured... f it, might as well do up this home and chill for a few more years.

Components:
Found a Trinitron monitor similar to a NEC Mutisync able to display the correct kHz needed for my Sega Naomi:





Waiting on RAM in the mail, but it works:



Axunworks Supergun arrived. Needed something for MVS, CPS2 and Naomi and this fit the bill:



And the CPS2 arrived as well:




Night 1:
Getting the server rack from the storage unit:



Purchased from a car dealership and was covered in Arizona dust. A pail of paper towels later and it's clean. Fans are very dusty, time to disassemble and clean:




All clean!:

 

[daytonausa]

First time dealing with cage nuts. Of course the unit has tons already installed which I need to take out to plan where to put my shelves and components. These, unfortunately, are pretty stiff and require needle nose pliers to get out, but after about 30 minutes I got pretty proficient at taking them out:







Time to install the PVM. I don't have any help, so I figured out a cheat. I put in a Pyle shelf upside down, rested the PVM on it, then got it fastened to the ears. I left the shelf for emergency support, but it's not going anywhere. This was a big stress for me, but the shelf idea make it go super quick:



I want the consoles below the screen, and wanted the screen to be mid height for good viewing angle when sitting and to make sure the unit wasn't top heavy. Installed the crosspoint above it and the MVS, Supergun, CPS2 and Naomi above it. Naomi is hard to see, but on a shelf behind the front shelf. I don't need any direct access to the Naomi, so I didn't mind if it was hidden away:





I start installing shelving. I have two small Extrons I'll be using for RGB switching. The large Crosspoint is for S-Video only. In order to get them to fit, I need to remove the rubber feet.:







Move the desk from center to the side, rearrange things for the CRT to fit. CRT will be solely used for the Naomi:

 

[daytonausa]

End of Day 1, I'm beat. Will have to begin unpacking the consoles the next day:





Day 2, won't show as to now bore anyone, but the consoles are unpacked. I install all I can before running out of shelving. Power and video cables are plugged into the rear of the consoles, but since I don't have the cabling I need yet for power, nothing is being plugged into the power supply or crosspoint:




Day 3. Wrong power cable was ordered Thought it was a 50v or 30v, turns out it was 20v. Doesn't look like it in pics, but the plug is a lot smaller than the converter cable and has a different pinout. While I wait a few days for that to come in, I ordered a couple more shelves to replace the basket below for controllers to be stored and for the twin N64 to be stored:

 

[daytonausa]

cont:



All video cables and converters are here. I'll tackle that this weekend. In the meantime, the bookcase is setup:



Till this weekend!....

 

[kernow]

Cool idea
Bit big in the room though. I'd have just sold all the consoles ahem and put an E2 there

 

[Takumaji]

Mind = blown.

Great job, man. That's what I call a tidy and easy-to-maintain setup. You will need a good vacuum cleaner, tho.

 

[Raph4]

OMG, you are crazy !

 

[joe8]

Cool idea
Bit big in the room though. I'd have just sold all the consoles ahem and put an E2 there

what's an E2?

 

[kernow]

what's an E2?

Egret II

 

[Heinz]

 

[daytonausa]

Cool idea
Bit big in the room though. I'd have just sold all the consoles ahem and put an E2 there

Camera lens makes it look like it's a massive room with a lot of blank space, when it's actually not. Behind me is a closet that takes the whole wall, and to the left is a giant window, making that space useless. Plus you're talking like 6 feet deep from the desk, tops. It's a small space.

Mind = blown.

Great job, man. That's what I call a tidy and easy-to-maintain setup. You will need a good vacuum cleaner, tho.

Thanks, appreciate it. Been a long time coming. With the move that was cancelled my office has been essentially a storage unit for nearly the entire year, and it's just nice to have some order in here without having to climb over crap to get to my desk.

 

[daytonausa]

Cool idea
Bit big in the room though. I'd have just sold all the consoles ahem and put an E2 there

Thanks. And man I wish. Been looking for a cab for longer than I care to admit. Either there's nothing, or when I do find it they want a small country's life savings for it...

Nothing like that near me, unfortunately, and what I do find is 99% of the time overseas with horrendously expensive pallet shipping.

 

[Neodogg]

well...I've seen some gay shit in my life...

functionality seems horrible...does the door not clear the fag rack? sucks for the person sitting against the wall looking at the PVM

to each their own, if you are happy with it...Mao bless

 

[neo_mao]

Mao bless

I did no such thing. Do not implicate me with this abomination.

Spoiler:

No offense OP

 

[terry.330]

Camera lens makes it look like it's a massive room with a lot of blank space, when it's actually not. Behind me is a closet that takes the whole wall, and to the left is a giant window, making that space useless. Plus you're talking like 6 feet deep from the desk, tops. It's a small space.

I think he means the rack setup is too big for the room, not that the room is big.

I don't really see the point of all this aside from it just being some weird personal project. That seems like a very limiting way to play all that stuff compared to just using a nice large TV with a retrotink or OSSC and being able to comfortably sit on a couch. But whatever, it's your time and money.

 

[Burning Fight!!]

This is some crt collective shit but at least the PVM and extron are in their natural habitat.

 

[xelement5x]

This is some crt collective shit but at least the PVM and extron are in their natural habitat.

Nah, CRT Collective would be trying to mount Disney Princess and Shrek TVs in there so they could watch two different VHS tapes at the same time.

 

[Tw3ek]

Help me, I actually read all this nonsense

 

[daytonausa]

I think he means the rack setup is too big for the room, not that the room is big.

I don't really see the point of all this aside from it just being some weird personal project. That seems like a very limiting way to play all that stuff compared to just using a nice large TV with a retrotink or OSSC and being able to comfortably sit on a couch. But whatever, it's your time and money.

I've done that. 1. I don't like playing on an LCD screen for multiple reasons. And 2. I don't want this:



Gaming splooge aside, the consoles/wires etc just becomes out of control. One of the reasons I wanted to do this was to also prevent myself from buying more than I need/will play. Which I've had a tendency to do in the past.

 

[daytonausa]

well...I've seen some gay shit in my life...

functionality seems horrible...does the door not clear the fag rack? sucks for the person sitting against the wall looking at the PVM

to each their own, if you are happy with it...Mao bless

You do realize, I have the server rack pushed forward and against the wall on the right not for usability but because I'm still working on it and I need a path to get inside to work on it, right? Clears fine and is perfectly comfortable once in its proper place.

Help me, I actually read all this nonsense

Mission accomplished.

 

[Neo Alec]

Nice job, interesting idea. I think I prefer the "Toys R Us man cave" personally. Not that I want my space to look like it belongs to a man child, but I do also want the space to be comforting and inviting. What you have there looks pretty cold and uninviting.

I just try to surround myself with the things that make me happy after a long day of work and other obligations. I'm not sure a server cabinet would bring me happiness.

 

[Heinz]

I've done that. 1. I don't like playing on an LCD screen for multiple reasons. And 2. I don't want this:

View attachment 68100

Gaming splooge aside, the consoles/wires etc just becomes out of control. One of the reasons I wanted to do this was to also prevent myself from buying more than I need/will play. Which I've had a tendency to do in the past.

Is that you?

I've spent enough time around server racks so fuck server racks, fuck cage nuts (try slipping the flange under your thumbnail) fuck the dust.

 

[theMot]

My wife would kick mah ass if I put that in the house.

 

[Neodogg]

You do realize, I have the server rack pushed forward and against the wall on the right not for usability but because I'm still working on it and I need a path to get inside to work on it, right? Clears fine and is perfectly comfortable once in its proper place.



Mission accomplished.

I understand it takes all kinds to make the world go, sometimes it’s gangsters, sometimes it retards…but as long as you are happy who cares what I think…

 

[terry.330]

One of the reasons I wanted to do this was to also prevent myself from buying more than I need/will play. Which I've had a tendency to do in the past.

If you have trouble with buying too much gaming junk putting all your shit in a big weird box probably isn't going to help.