Mystery Machine

[SpectrHz]

Hey Badcaps! So I picked up two computers for 35 dollars off the ebay and it has had me a bit confused.. It is an industrial engineering type case, all strong stainless steel and has a filter mounted on the front. Two LEDs and two rocker switches for power and reset. I basically purchased them simply because of the cases and legacy ports, but was pleasantly surprised on what was inside! When I opened it up I was first greeted by a large ATI X1900XT graphics card, only direct x 9, but the damn thing has no trouble with rendering video, or skyrim on max settings, score! The mobo is an Intel D945GTP with with fully populated ram slots, 4 gigs total. And a Intel pentium D (presler) 3.4 Ghz processor. Also has a two gigabit ethernet cards and a soundblaster audigy 2.

Every one of the computers have identical internals, leading me to believe it was a renderfarm setup. The cases appear as if they are supposed to be rackmounted, since they have no feet, and the sides have mounting holes along them.

Here is the mystery, there is NO information on these machines... Where they came from, what they were for, or who made them.. The only info I got was from various board id programs, saying the manufacturer is the Omni-Tech corp. There are like 30 of these machines too... All identical. So my guess is they are renderfarm components that were custom built. Any ideas?

I will update with pictures when I'm back at my rig

[ratdude747]

Re: Mystery Machine

Very strange indeed, I would have almost expected xeon's in such an industrial setup... but still, damn. Industrial grade gaming rigs?

[ddscentral]

Re: Mystery Machine

If I understand correctly, these rigs, when connected together, form something like a GPU server.

[SpectrHz]

Re: Mystery Machine

That's what I figure, probably a massive GPU server. But geez, I sure would love to know the backstory on why they needed 30 (or more) connected together...

pics below

[xredhawk]

Re: Mystery Machine

nice

[selldoor]

Re: Mystery Machine

Omnitech in vietnam maybe - they make servers a little upgraded now?

http://omnitech.com.vn/web/Product.a...233&lang=vi-VN

[Mad_Professor]

Re: Mystery Machine

Probably a folding@home farm or a bitcoin miner.

[momaka]

Re: Mystery Machine

Any of them still left on ebay? If yes, mind posting a link?

For $35, that's a really good score. Maybe they were part of an 3D art/movie rendering studio (like Pixar, WETA, etc.)?

[SpectrHz]

Re: Mystery Machine

Any of them still left on ebay? If yes, mind posting a link?

For $35, that's a really good score. Maybe they were part of an 3D art/movie rendering studio (like Pixar, WETA, etc.)?

That's my second guess for what they were, for so many I figured they were in some sort of big rendering setup.

And there are still 5 left! http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-PENTIU...3D390485865533

EDIT! The link I posted is for a different one??? all 30 of the ones with the x1900xt's were sold, and now there is this one saying no card and only 1 GB of ram... there are 5 left but Idk, I'm really confused now, and if you look at the pictures all of the pci slots are covered.

[momaka]

Re: Mystery Machine

EDIT! The link I posted is for a different one??? all 30 of the ones with the x1900xt's were sold, and now there is this one saying no card and only 1 GB of ram... there are 5 left but Idk, I'm really confused now, and if you look at the pictures all of the pci slots are covered.

Yep, these don't have the graphics card. I guess someone like you probably saw the other ones and so they sold out like warm bread .

It's all good, though. I was just curious to see the auction. Don't think I would have bought one anways. I already spent about $25 last week on 2 dead motherboards that likely just need a recap... I know, I could do better than that, but I needed a "fun" recapping project .

[SpectrHz]

Re: Mystery Machine

Haha, Interestingly enough, they have a lot tape residue, and one has a piece of tape on the side saying DEV 3 RT. They also have an immense amount of warning stickers on the top; high voltage, and sensitive components, and a motherboard diagram as well. Definitely a very professional, not-well-enough documented setup...