GVS 9000 this could be it!! Rackmount G5

[Kalara]

So I'm still doing a bunch of research, but I want to pose this to the masses hopefully get some real world feedback....

I called GVS to find out about rackmounting my G5 for the remote rig. Here's what I found out. ...

Basically, they build you a phat computer with the Apple G5 motherboard and processor(s) and then build the rest according to your needs.

My Needs:

3 PCI-E slots for the PT deal (there are 16 available for all you maniacs with 7 accel cards) 1 Dual DVI output card (I like two sreens) 4 gigs of RAM. plenty of firewire 400/800/USB ports, a superdrive, and here;s something that's really got my attention: they'll put a 10000 RPM 300 gig drive in as the primary record drive (until now, I've always used PPA Oxford 911 firewire 400 drives). I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that even though we all use them, DIGI doesn't officially approve drives under 10000 RPM's. More and more of my sessions are becoming 48-72 tracks with sample rates up to 96K (haven't done the 192 thang yet).

All of this is 6 rack spaces, 18 inches deep, and durable as a MOFO!! (so they say) They also swear that there are NO compatibility issues with PT or OSX because it is for all intensive purposes a MAC G5. $5000-$6000. Not super cheap, but if this machine is gonna take the road and run the way it sounds like it will, the extra 3K ain't spilled milk. What do you think? Has anyone used them? PLEASE DON'T REPLY WITH A "BUY A PC" RESPONSE, because I AIN't HAVING IT!

If anyone's interested, please feel free to email me privately. Their tech over there is emailing me a list of current users, apparently DAFT PUNK is on the road with one.

Looking towards teh future!!!!

[timotheus]

Any G5 with PCI-E is Dual DVI...

Newegg has the drives for $660 (x2=1320
Stock Quad G5 $3300

Four Gigs of ram from crucial...
215x2=$430 for 4 1GB Sticks

$5050 USD in total to configure the rig...

$6000 is a bit too steep in my book.
$5500 is worth considering
$5250 is a steal in my book. (if the rig in question is a quad.)

At $6000 I'd do it myself. I just measured my Dual Processor G5, and the main part of the chassis (If you took off the handles) is 17 and 1/2 inches high. I'd cut the handles off, and fabricate something to secure it to the bottom of the rack.

Also noteworthy, the shipping weight of my powermac was 58 lbs! the tower is well over 50.

Frankly, I just stick my G5 as-is in the back of my car, (on the floor, with the passenger seat reclined slightly so that it is wedged in somewhat firmly.) and that's how I have been taking it to my podcasting sessions for over a year now. (I also had an Athlon Thunderbird 800 system that has survived similar treatment even longer with no ill effect, although that one was strictly air-cooled...)

Well, I'm a geek with enough chops to go messing about with something lke that. You on the other hand may not. The concern I'd have would be with regards to warranty, (If something in the computer goes kaput.)

I would like to see interior/exterior shots of this case. I would also highly recommend getting a battery backup for the computer, in case somebody unplugs the wrong thing... (It's happened to me )

[mixerguy]

Originally Posted by timotheus

.. (snip)..... I would also highly recommend getting a battery backup for the computer, in case somebody unplugs the wrong thing... (It's happened to me )

CyberPower 1100 AVR is the one to get

approx $120-140

[cppi]

GVS, (if you can aford them) is the way to go for serious rack mouted systems. Very expensive though. NASA, all the branches of the military, custom high end scientific/research field use...bla..bla..They difinitely warranty there products and they are built for mobile use. They are going to build mine, I just didn't want to drill/saw/slap some foam around a rack tray (DIY) and show up for a show and it's dead in the water. They mount the components and circuit boards for mobile use (serious military feild use). But I know a lot of guys who shlep them around with no problems (yet). I can't roll the dice with my work, it has to work when I get there and yes I can save some money building myself, but gambling on loosing the job I can't do. Go to GVS9000.com

[timotheus]

On the subject of battery backups, one item I forgot to mention is that I have all the computers and network gear in my house isolated from all wires that go outside the house by APC battery back-ups

Ever since I got an APC with Ethernet surge supression, (connected between the cable modem and the router,) I haven't had a single piece of (computer) equipment die on me. Previously, I would have a network card, a switch, or a broadband router die every year or so.

By the way, Complete Battery Source sells replacement sealed Lead-acid batteries for around 25% of what you paid for the unit new... (About $30 for most of mine)