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**zandrax** · 12-07-2008, 06:06 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

I think it was a good deal: $30 is the price of a cheap Sata hdd or 2 GB of DDR2 ram, you got a complete Tually server with already 2 GB of SDRAM. Perfect for home server, NAS or a base computer when coupled with a decent graphic card: only do not install Vista

, XP and Linux will run fine.
If you need more computing power, then buy the two ES Tualatins from KC8 and turn both computers into two dual cpu servers: not an amazing improvement from a single cpu one, but still something to play with

Zandrax

**kc8adu** · 12-07-2008, 06:15 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

good score!
if they have green caps marked "nrsy" by all means recap now.
the 1.26 tually is worth what you paid for the whole box if it is an s version 512k cache.
iirc these are serverworks based boards and are from supermicro's dark days of crapcaps.

**Logistics** · 12-07-2008, 06:34 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

Originally posted by kc8adu

good score!
if they have green caps marked "nrsy" by all means recap now.
the 1.26 tually is worth what you paid for the whole box if it is an s version 512k cache.
iirc these are serverworks based boards and are from supermicro's dark days of crapcaps.

Both of them are loaded with Sanyo caps, with the exception of two capacitors which sit on the riser-card side of the board; in one system they are NRSY's and the other has ELNA's. Due to the funky, non-uniform angles many of the caps are sitting at I get the feeling they've already been recapped. Should I replace those two lone NRSY's by the ServerWorks chip, anyway?

**PCBONEZ** · 12-08-2008, 05:57 AM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

1.4GHz PIII-S are hitting <$10 on eBay lately.
Do I see an upgrade in your future?

.

**PCBONEZ** · 12-08-2008, 06:32 AM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

The NRSY used on Supermicro boards are NRSY *brand* which is a legit company out of Taiwan or China but their caps are crap.
(Not to be confused with NRSY *series* from NIC COMPONENTS which are good Japanese caps.).

NRSY *brand* should be replaced as soon as convenient for peace of mind.
I don't think they are loaded heavy where Supermicro uses them and will probably last a while with a good PSU.

.

**Logistics** · 12-08-2008, 07:43 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

At least one of the units has a Sparkle 300W. Should I bother recapping it or just get a better quality PSU? (Not that I would have ANY idea where to get a PSU for a chassis like this!)

Originally posted by PCBONEZ

1.4GHz PIII-S are hitting <$10 on eBay lately.
Do I see an upgrade in your future?

Mayhaps... and mayhaps also a new neighbor sometime within the next three months as I may be moving back to AZ; probably around Apache Junction, Gilbert or Chandler.

**Logistics** · 12-08-2008, 08:58 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

Sorry, after reading more on the forums it seems reasonable to conclude that Sparkle PSU's are decent. I'll probably recap it simply due to it's age, though.

**bgavin** · 12-09-2008, 09:53 AM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

I have been placing a number of Sparkle ATX-350PN in client business-class machines. They aren't high tech by any means, but do offer a 120mm fan for quiet operation and decent cooling.

FWIW, I've never had a Sparkle PSU fail.

**PCBONEZ** · 12-10-2008, 04:52 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

I have 5 Sparkle FSP-460-60PFN on my to-do list.
The filter caps are different in every one.
(One is 100% Teapo and that one -was- working.)
5v final out is a Fuhjyyu in the other 4. All Fuhjyyu's are bloated. (go figger...)
2 of the 4 have OST (bloated) on the 12v rail.
The other 2 have Teapo on 12v but one of those has 4 or 5 bloated Teapo on various rails to go with the Fuhjyyu on 5v.

Was using the one with 100% Teapo on the workbench but after about 2 days it started kicking on then it immediately cuts out. In other words the fan kicks then it's dead. (Haven't looked at it yet.)

.

**gdement** · 12-10-2008, 07:54 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

We bought my nephew a 300W Sparkle for his old computer a few years ago. It's an FSP build, but has more modest ratings than a newer Fortron branded 300W I also have.

The Sparkle still works fine, but after about 1yr of operation it burned out the fan. I was lucky to discover it before any more damage was done. The PSU casing was very hot. Replaced the fan and it ran for about 2 more yrs before I recapped it (proactively). Since then it's just an occasional tester.

I found pictures from the recap that I never posted. Looks like the old caps were mostly (Teapo?) SEK, and a couple "TK" series caps from somebody else. None bulged in the photo.

Other than the fan failure, it ran well.

**PCBONEZ** · 12-10-2008, 09:38 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

On these Sparkle FSP-460-60PFN:
Output filters are all PI with two caps on in side of coil and one cap on out.
All 5 have Teapo 'SC' [Green] on 3.3v 'in' and none of those are bad.
The Teapo playing stand-in for the Fuhjyyu spot is an SX series. [Old style light blue.]
All the rest of the Teapo are the SEK series [brown]
The OSTs are RLG series and the Fuhjyyu is TNR.
All the caps are 12.5mm diameter but it's a double-decker PCB layout and so height is an issue in some spots.

Judging by cap date codes the one with the blue Teapo 'SX' is a year or two older than the others.

.

**PCBONEZ** · 12-10-2008, 09:45 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

Originally posted by Logistics

Sorry, after reading more on the forums it seems reasonable to conclude that Sparkle PSU's are decent. I'll probably recap it simply due to it's age, though.

Contrary to my isolated example:
- Yes Sparkle are USUALLY decent.

Even with the bloating most these were still working and apparently they lasted 5-6 years with Fuhjyyu and OST in them. The cooling doesn't 'look' that good (one outtie fan) but possibly the design channels the air to exactly where it needs to be.

**bgavin** · 12-11-2008, 06:28 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

My studies indicate the 120mm innie fans still create a hot spot somewhere inside. Some of the Corsair (?) have a deflector shield inside to move air to the hot spots.

I started placing these 350w models about a year ago. I rotate power supplies every 3 years in all my client machines, so I expect to have no worries. I opened up one of my own, and found it populated with the usual craps. Diameters are an issue, so I started looking into a custom Samxon order to recap them when new. Less hassle to buy better supplies...

**Logistics** · 12-11-2008, 11:32 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

One interesting thing I noted about this system is that all the capacitors are 10V. I never owned systems of this nature. I went from a PIII 500 Slot cpu system to a P4 2GHz 478 system so I never knew anything about the Tualatin systems... I never even came across one during my years of PC Tech work, but then I was never in a position to work on servers like this thing.

Anyway, the Sanyo's are also all marked S.E.1D, but I can't find anything like this on the net. I was considering recapping them, but if the Sanyo's are already excellent (these models that is) then I will just replace the NRSY's.

Oh, and the specs on SuperMicro's site just say "USB," so does that mean they are pre-2.0?

**PCBONEZ** · 12-12-2008, 09:16 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

S.E.1D <- Date code or something. Never made sense of it.

Sanyo does not always mark the series on WX series caps.
Those would be typical caps on a late P3 board.
[WX is comparable to Rubycon ZL, Nichicon HD, Chemicon KZE]
WX have the same colors as the WG series.

On most P3 boards the only thing that gets 12v is slots and fans.
Not unusual to see no 16v caps.

Yes, pre-2.0 USB.

**zandrax** · 12-13-2008, 07:08 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

Originally posted by Logistics

Oh, and the specs on SuperMicro's site just say "USB," so does that mean they are pre-2.0?

Yes: USB 2.0 specs were pubblished in 2000 and standardized in late 2001, chipset supporting them got common in 2003-04.
Just add a USB 2.0 PCI card: NEC uPD72010x chips are recommended due to high compatibility, low cpu usage and good performance (the uPD720102 can reach up to 33 MB/s, older -100A and -101 up to 22 MB/s); the early Via controllers (VT6202 and early revision of 6212), common on Via based cards, are a real shame while later revisions are decent but only embedded into chipsets; some cards use minor chips such as Ali/Uli or Netchip brand ones: not much info available.

Zandrax

**Logistics** · 12-29-2008, 11:59 PM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

In my area, someone is blowing out a bunch of 6014H-X8 systems with Dual 3GHz Xeon's (the 1MB ones) and 8GB of ram and those 36GB drives (I'm assuming those enterprise class drives) for $350 a pop. Is that as good of a deal as it sounds?

**PCBONEZ** · 12-30-2008, 01:25 AM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

Deal sounds at least okay but maybe not grand depending the details.
Are they 533FSB or 800FSB?
800FSB CPUs are about 1.5 to 2 X the others. Mobos usually a little more.
Good PSUs?
Hardware RAID?
How many drives?
Some dual Xeon boards are meant for 1U chassis and don't have squat for slots.

**PCBONEZ** · 12-30-2008, 01:27 AM

Re: SuperMicro Server Systems

There are 533FSB boards that don't have USB2.
Need to check what the South Bridge is to know.
[If you care about that.]

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