this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2023
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homelab

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Hey all I am looking for some ideas to make my Dell SFF optiplexs rack mounted. Has anyone ever got them into a 1U chasie?

I'm in the early stages of redoing my homelab hardware. I have two Dell Optiplexs and I want to fit them in my rack / make them more aesthetically pleasing but without taking up any more space.

The only reason I'm not looking to replace them with a USFF / mini server is because I like being able to have two drives and pci slot for Ethernet ports but I'm willing to hear out other cost effective options. My rack is a short depth rack.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I made my own and 3d printed them. I built this one so I could add disks but I have another version with 2 side by side and not stacked.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh that is very slick! I have the larger SFF (not USFF). Maybe I should look into getting a 3D printer next

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Snap... My bad but sure you could create your own parts. I was thinking about adding a motherboard tray and HDD caddies to my design so I could use matx or uatx boards in custom 1 and 2u designs.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

You want a standard rack shelf, it'll fit 3-4 SFF stacked sideways. You can 3D print some supports.

No idea if it'll fit in a shallow rack.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

We just turn them sideways on a shelf at work. We use a lot of micro form factor and they look slick in a row on a 1u shelf. We fit 3 or 4 (can’t remember) wide across 6 shelves.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

3D printing is the way to go, for sure. But if you’ve got the normal SFF optiplexes, I’ve got no idea how those will fit into a 1U form factor without a complete cooling system overhaul.