Supermicro 836 chassis $150 OBO + Shipping

[nthu9280]

I saw couple of listings for dell ct-040. Shipping seems reasonable too. Don't know about the seller or their packaging. No details on the backplane either.

Dell CT-040 2U SAN System BOOTS Intel Xeon E5540 @ 2.53GHz 6GB RAM NO HDD/NO OS | eBay

 

[BlueFox]

My guess is SAS1 given the age. I thought even the SCSI backplane was possible, but the SFF-8088 ports on the back lead me to believe that it's probably not that. They didn't make A or TQ models until later (at least per Supermicro's archived SKU list).

 

[gregsachs]

It at least originally had sas-2 and 10gbE

225-1432 : DELL COMPELLENT SC040, 6Gb SAS DUAL Controller Upgrade
Part Number
Quantity
Description
8TTVC
1
ASSEMBLY, CHASSIS, SC40, CTRL
8PX2W
1
KIT, DOCUMENTATION, SHIP GROUP, CPLNT, DAO/BCC/BPO
NMM83
1
KIT, SHIPPING MATERIAL, CPLNT, 30/40
331-3602 : Power Cord, C13 to C14, PDU Style, 12 Amps, 2 foot, Qty 1 for Compellent
Part Number
Quantity
Description
6YPMV
2
CORD, POWER, 12A, 2F, C13/C14, US/EUR
331-3152 : 6Gb SAS Cable, 2M
Part Number
Quantity
Description
HGDCV
2
KIT, CABLE, SERIAL ATTACHED SCSI, EXTERNAL, CPLNT, 2M
342-3224 : IO, iSCSI, 10Gb, 2 Port, Optic al, PCI-E,SC40
Part Number
Quantity
Description
0FTGN
1
KIT, CARD (CIRCUIT), I10X2S-EO, CPLNT
331-3139 : Optical Cable, 1M
Part Number
Quantity
Description
K8TJ0
2
KIT, CABLE, OPTION, LOW COST, CPLNT, 1M
430-4233 : IO, SAS, 6Gb, 4 Wide-Port, PCI -E
Part Number
Quantity
Description
R4CP9
1
KIT, CARD (CIRCUIT), SAS6X4S-E2, CPLNT

 

[BlueFox]

Newer than I expected then and arguably a much better deal. The seller also seems to have more than one under different listings.

 

[BLinux]

I've had a few of these Compellent CT-040 units before, and all of them had a 836TQ backplane. They may have been configurable with other type of components. Also, a lot of times, the "head unit" wasn't used for storage, but had a bunch of external SAS controllers to drive JBOD shelves. So, the drive bays and their trays on the head unit are usually in like new condition. The ones I've had usually come with a 1Gbps NIC with iSCSI features, 9201-16e HBAs, etc.

 

[ajs]

Any idea what PSU these units are equipped with?

 

[BLinux]

Any idea what PSU these units are equipped with?

I don't remember the exact model, but I do know I never found a "SQ" PSU in these, as I usually have to replace them.

 

[ajs]

I don't remember the exact model, but I do know I never found a "SQ" PSU in these, as I usually have to replace them.

Thanks, I figured as much. Still $150 for the chassis isn't a bad deal.

 

[BLinux]

Thanks, I figured as much. Still $150 for the chassis isn't a bad deal.

if you're on a low budget, the PWS-741P-1R will work, and are only slightly more audible than the SQ PSUs and cost about $20-30.

but yes, $150 is a great deal for the chassis alone. you can sell off some of the internals and you *might* just cover your cost.

 

[nthu9280]

It will take a while for these 1366 boards, but will some of the cost. My net cost for a Coraid branded 836 was less than $50.

Well that doesn't include the SQ power supply. I noticed Pws-501p are also fairly quiet. But may not be for everyone. Doesn't leave enough headroom depending on what all is in the chassis. I don't have 741p but 721p does have a whine.

 

[ajs]

Whats a good price for a SQ power supply for these chassis?

 

[StevenDTX]

Whats a good price for a SQ power supply for these chassis?

If you are patient, you can find them for $60-70.

 

[nthu9280]

If you are ok with a Dremel to the PDB edge connector, pws-1k28p-sq are cheaper currently $60 OBO and plentiful. If your PDB is already 23 pin (wide connector) you are good to go without any mod. I swapped out mine but it's a pain. Due to chassis revisions, the PDB housings were different and needed internals needed to be swapped.

 

[ajs]

Well I don't know what I'm getting myself into.. but the seller accepted my BO of $120 for one of the CT-040 systems

 

[nthu9280]

 

[ViciousXUSMC]

Very Nice
If I didn't already promise to pay for a R510 I think this would be a solid substitute.

16 drives instead of 12!

 

[ajs]

Are there any issues using a non-supermicro motherboard in a supermicro chassis? I'm currently running an Intel S2600CP2 which I plan to transfer into this chassis.

 

[nthu9280]

Folks have used S2600cp2 in desktop chassis. So I don't see why you couldn't do it in SM. Front pannel connection and location of standoffs are going to require some customization. Power supply PM bus cable is another.
There is a split front panel cable. Check the parts listing I posted under reference section.

 

[ajs]

I've had a few of these Compellent CT-040 units before, and all of them had a 836TQ backplane. They may have been configurable with other type of components. Also, a lot of times, the "head unit" wasn't used for storage, but had a bunch of external SAS controllers to drive JBOD shelves. So, the drive bays and their trays on the head unit are usually in like new condition. The ones I've had usually come with a 1Gbps NIC with iSCSI features, 9201-16e HBAs, etc.

I just got my CT-040 today... pretty sure this was a head unit like you mentioned. All the blanks are in the hot swap bays, and it doesn't look like the backplane cabling was ever connected. Hot swap bays look like they've never been used Aside from the chassis handles and top cover a little scraped up, this thing is in nice condition.

Edit: shit I take it back, I thought the left handle was just screwed off, but it looks like it busted the rivets off during shipping. Uhhg, is there any easy fix for the handles on these supermicro chassis?

 

[nthu9280]

Handles should just be secured by 3 screws. I think they are standard #6-32 threaded screws but I could be wrong.
I hate when these guys pack the chassis with Handles & Power supplies on the chassis. Just adding more possibility of damage during shipping especially with 2U or larger chassis