Clusters at Home?

dallastgi asks: "Sitting at my desk (a bargain second hand, due to lack of drawers) I looked at the side and realized I could build a nice little cluster, on either side of it. It already has wooden rails for rack mounts, holes in the back (from previous cables for computers) for cooling, and several computers in the cupboard. I just needs a door, power and cooling ducts. What is the best possible way to power 6+ motherboards, with a minimal amount of power-points and heat dissipation? What is the best way to cool those CPU's in minimal space? I'm sure many others on Slashdot have thought about their own clusters, so what are your recommendations on how to go about this?"

Comments

It's a longshot

[Dr.Opveter]

but maybe this will help
http://www.google.com/search?hl=nl&q=building+your +own+pc+cluster&lr=

What do you plan to DO with it?

[cr0sh]

Imagining and dreaming about having a cluster is one thing - knowing what to do with it once you have it built is another. Oftentimes I have dreamt and looked into what it would take (parts-wise and cost) to build a simple cluster, but in the end, I never went any further simply because I have no use for such a machine - it wasn't worth the time and expense, simply to be able to brag "yeah, I got a cluster at home" - BFD! It's like bragging you own a Humvee at home, and drive it around occasionally - but you have no clue how to off-road. At that point, it is simply a waste of money, resources, and time.

Perhaps you have an idea what you would do with it? If you don't, then I would suggest spending your time thinking about why you need a cluster, before building one. Building a small cluster is nearly (not quite) like putting together a Lego model - everything is commodity parts, from the boards to the cpus, to the ethernet cables and the switch, etc - even the cluster software is free and easily available. Putting together a cluster will teach you a little, but unless you have plans to use that knowledge personally and/or in the future (ie, job prospects), your time, money and resources may be better spent on other things.