Ubuntu Compute and Storage Build

The goal of this machine was to replace the oldest active computer in the house. This old computer predates – by over three years – the first recorded entry on this blog for computer builds. (First build: core i7). This old computer was a combined “compute and storage” build – before I moved to dedicated compute and storage machines.

It’s main claim-to-fame is its case: a SuperMicro SC-743 4U case (now numbered as CSE-743T-665B) which sells for $320 today. Fifteen years ago it was around $200. It contains a row of 4 hot-swap high-speed fans in the middle of the case. This was the case right after my infamous “Just because a case has space for 6 hard drives, that doesn’t mean it has adequate cooling for 6 hard drives” coming of wisdom. Unfortunately, those fans howl like a jet engine, and it was time to replace it.

Some facts on the CPU: the i5-4690 is currently #191 on PassMark [7,623] cpubenchmark.net. At a price of $224, it has a “value” rating of 34.0. The Core i5-4590 has PassMark [7,224], for $180 and a “value” rating of 40.3, the highest “value” of all the i5s. Note that my “on sale” i5 was only $210. It is the 3rd fastest i5, the fastest is the #165, $320, i5-5675C@3.10GHz [8,106].

All product links are from the actual vendor.