To accomodate different computing density needs, the ClusterStation case was designed to host different Blades sizes ranging from standard "thickness" such as 1U, 2U and 3U to non standard form factors like our new Micro-ATX Blade which is 2.65" high equivalent to what would be the height or thickness of a 1.5U rackmount case.
Today a new generation of ultra silent (14 dBA), more reliable and low cost Micro-ATX supplies are hitting the market such as the AHANIX X198 Micro-ATS PSU. To take advantage of these innovations, Cluster In Motion has designed a new low profile Micro-ATX Blade to increase the computing density of its ClusterStation from its existing 2U blades while preserving the accosutics, thermal properties and computing power.
Despite its compact size, this Micro-ATX Blade accommodates any Full, Flex, or Micro ATX motherboard, a micro-ATX or e-machine power supply unit and up to two hard drives. it can also support horizontally two cards either with AGP or PCI interface through riser cards.
This patent pending design supports ATX standard compliant components which qualifies it as a 'True Micro-ATX Blade"
Key Features
- Ultra lightweight design: only 2 lbs for the blade or tray alone compared to the 20 lbs for 1U or 2U conventional rackmount cases, and just 7 lbs for a loaded micro-ATX blade as shown in the picture above.
- Vented blade design: Venting holes located under the processor, hard drive, and power supply allow the air to circulate freely from one blade to another. For instance, the fan on top of the heat sink of one blade can draw the air from underneath the motherboard of the adjacent blade.
- Open design: Unlike rackmount cases that are closed, our micro-ATX blade is open to benefit from the overall volume and air of the overall enclosure or ClusteStation chassis rather than confining and trapping the warm air inside one blade.
- Unique support for Micro-ATX Power supplies: Our Micro-ATX blade is the first on the market to use the Micro-ATX power supplies that are much smaller than conventional ATX power supply, leading to its low-profile 1.5U blade architecture. Furthemore Micro-ATX power supplies are very cost efficient and less noisy compared to industrial power supplies used in rackmount cases. Today, a new generation of ultra silent, more reliable Micro-ATX supplies are hitting the market such as the AHANIX X198 Micro-ATS PSU.