# HL15 Beast in the HL15 v1 Form Factor **URL:** \ **Category:** Show Your Homelab Builds\ **Tags:** myhomelab\ **Created:** [March 16, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762 "2026-03-16T21:13:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Glitch3dPenguin](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/glitch3dpenguin/32/2393_2.png) [@Glitch3dPenguin](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/Glitch3dPenguin)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/1 "2026-03-16T21:13:51Z")
I have been working on this new build for 2 months now and it’s been quite the journey! I’ll share the HL15 specific portion of this Home Lab build out but if you’d like to read all of the details, **[I maintain an entire post for this on my website as well](https://klabsdev.com/my-home-lab-update-2/)**. There are more pictures as well! **I am excited to answer any questions anyone has on this build!** ### HL15 Server: (GPU & Compute) my main Proxmox server featuring the HL15 chassis from 45Drives. This is an Intel R2000WT Family server. It’s a 2U form factor server. I use my main Proxmox server to run most of my services that I test with. ![An inside view of the HL15 Server Build.](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/39b4b781b344f2e08f1f3cd86b5b5ca24046f2ef.jpeg) - **CPU:** AMD EPYC 7742 64-Core - **RAM [256GB]:** (4x) Micron/Supermicro 64GB DDR4 3200MHz RDIMM ECC - **Motherboard:** AsRock Rack ROMED8-2T - **GPU 1:** Modified Nvidia RTX 4090 w/48GB VRAM - **GPU 2:** Nvidia Quadro P2200 - **Storage:** There are a few things I’d like to highlight on this build. The first and most obvious is the 48GB Nvidia 4090 that’s featured in this build. ![Modified 48GB Nvidia 4090 from GPvLab](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/d/dcea5c4ca53cccb6d1a198c9618a07dfc64e754b.jpeg) This GPU is a custom, modified Nvidia 4090 modified and [built by GPvLab](https://gpvlab.com/index.html?ref=klabsdev.com). Cutting their teeth on repairing broken GPUs and other BGA electronics, Greg is one of very few supplies of these cards within the United States. While still using the Chinese created PCB boards, Greg ships the fully leaded 4090s, whereas the China direct cards are of the “D” variant - a dialed down version specially created [for the Chinese market due to US Government export regulations](https://www.reuters.com/technology/nvidia-launches-new-gaming-chip-china-comply-with-us-export-controls-2023-12-29/?ref=klabsdev.com). In depth performance measurement of these [cards can be found here](https://gpvlab.com/rtx-info.html?ref=klabsdev.com). While still expensive at $3,500 USD (03/16/2026), GPvLab’s 4090’s prove to be one of the most affordable, high-density vRAM GPUs obtainable to consumers at this time as these are true, 2 PCI slot width cards featuring their own blower fan and cooler. If you are interested in learning more about these cards and Greg Sky from GPvLab, he has a [Youtube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@regsky/videos?ref=klabsdev.com) showcasing the process of building these cards. The second highlight is the modifications required to fit this level of hardware in the Version 1 HL15 from 45Drives. I have covered my thoughts of this server chassis in a [different post](https://klabsdev.com/45drvies-hl15-my-first-impression/). Since obtaining this HL15 Chassis, 45Drives has since released the [HL15 Beast](https://store.45homelab.com/configure/hl15beast?ref=klabsdev.com). At 1U taller and MUCH deeper this would circumvent many of the issues I ran into. However, the bigger chassis comes with a much bigger price at almost $1,600 USD w/out shipping or import fees. I sought to outfit my HL15 with high density GPU and CPU compute in the original footprint to maximize my density. In order to achieve this, I was required to modify my backplane to delete the Power Midplane (Sorry Mark Hooper). With the larger power requirements (4090 + EPYC) I will be running a 1,500 Watt PSU for now. This will be upgraded to a 2,000 Watt PSU as I plan on adding more than one 4090 to this build. I will also need to run 240v mains to the server rack as well. These are typically a lot deeper than was was originally intended to be in the HL15 Chassis, thus the Power Midplane was now in the way. ![Pictured: Low clearance between the Corsair HX1500i PSU and the HL15 Power Midplane.](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e0274015078415304e2d029578a7821bdbba025a.jpeg) The best solution I determined was following in [Techno Tim’s idea of powering the backplane directly](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/powering-the-backplane-directly/3191?ref=klabsdev.com). I took a slightly different approach to this by re-using the 90° Molex connectors already on the backplane and simply cutting the wires at the 24-pin power connector and re-pinning from there. ![The Power Midplane with the 24-pin connector wires cut.](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e06814fc6a321b4dbde30a03199b8232f792c11b.jpeg) Re-pinning was not that difficult with the right tools. For [$15.99 on Amazon](https://a.co/d/00RJKEMv?ref=klabsdev.com), I was able to obtain a Wire Crimping tool designed for terminal connectors, such as those used on Molex connectors. With some new Molex ends and pins, some pinout info from the HL15 Forms, I had re-wired the backplane for direct power and have eliminated the Power Midplane. ![The backplane, re-using the 90° 4-Pin Molex connectors with custom male Molex adapters wired in.](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b8da1be8c979d0dd01e88756e061b650f1bdf39f.jpeg) The final obvious issue with doing this is the fans on the HL15 no longer are powered. This was simply solved by removing the 3D printed fan header holders and connecting the Fans directly to the motherboard. The added benefit here is all the fans can also be controlled and ramped up when the added airflow is actually needed. Something I truly believe should be an option out of the box from 45Drives. ![IMG_1204](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/607bf0a10d1eed0332f0426992082465d02cfc8e.jpeg) ![IMG_1198](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/39b4b781b344f2e08f1f3cd86b5b5ca24046f2ef.jpeg) ![IMG_1199](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/3/356ca3e86b478b5fa1ba8b93454a9d8208986dd7.jpeg) ![IMG_1200](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/44b8d2c977d63eff79dee80815bc4e3ecb1b4974.jpeg) ![IMG_1201](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/6/6270887b17b1cabb55f1024be48ae28321648932.jpeg) ![IMG_1202](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/40e60f48bf8fabffb3cf659b7172f56f47c99208.jpeg) ![IMG_1203](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/2779a82bb5895ae0891cf17da8f63003a0b335d2.jpeg) And of course these are the services I am running on my server. All containers and VMs are running on a non-clustered, non-ha, Proxmox Virtual Environment. - Torrent Container: [LXC] - Watch Chroma: [LXC] - Media Container: [LXC] - AI Container: [LXC] - Docker Container: [LXC] - Home Assistant: [VM] - AMP Server: [VM] ---
**Author:** ![ZVeguillaCotto](https://forum.45homelab.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/z/7c8e57/32.png) [@ZVeguillaCotto](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/ZVeguillaCotto)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/2 "2026-03-16T22:52:16Z")
> [@Glitch3dPenguin](#): > > ![The backplane, re-using the 90° 4-Pin Molex connectors with custom male Molex adapters wired in.](https://forum.45homelab.com/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b8da1be8c979d0dd01e88756e061b650f1bdf39f.jpeg) Uffff! nice work. I can see the product link now: ”Now available in [https://store.45homelab.com/](https://store.45homelab.com/), PDB bypass harness!” Would buy if available and reasonably priced since the HL15 v1 PDB requirement (handicap) was not a pleasant discovery on my end. PDB would’ve made sense if they integrated a MB PWM input/pass-trough. Please let me know if you would be willing to build for sale. Nice job. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalGarden](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/digitalgarden/32/1785_2.png) [@DigitalGarden](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/DigitalGarden)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/3 "2026-03-17T00:16:03Z")
The biggest issue I see with this build is the PBR. ---
**Author:** ![Glitch3dPenguin](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/glitch3dpenguin/32/2393_2.png) [@Glitch3dPenguin](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/Glitch3dPenguin)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/4 "2026-03-17T00:28:17Z")
I hail from the PBR homeland. It’s no @CraftyJeff special, but it’s the Grab-and-go special around Milwaukee. ---
**Author:** ![rymandle05](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/rymandle05/32/2424_2.png) [@rymandle05](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/rymandle05)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 11:42am UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/5 "2026-03-17T11:42:26Z")
> [@DigitalGarden](#): > > The biggest issue I see with this build is the PBR. There are worst choices. I, personally, would have gone with Hamm’s but PBR gets the job done. 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Hutch-45Drives](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/hutch-45drives/32/64_2.png) [@Hutch-45Drives](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/Hutch-45Drives)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/6 "2026-03-17T12:10:23Z")
@Glitch3dPenguin What CPU cooler are you using on this build? ---
**Author:** ![Glitch3dPenguin](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/glitch3dpenguin/32/2393_2.png) [@Glitch3dPenguin](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/Glitch3dPenguin)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/7 "2026-03-17T14:56:36Z")
It’s the [Noctua NH-D9 TR5-SP6 4U](https://www.noctua.at/en/products/nh-d9-tr5-sp6-4u/compatibility/cpus?vendorId=2&socketId=19) with the SP3 Mounting Kit. ---
**Author:** ![Hutch-45Drives](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/hutch-45drives/32/64_2.png) [@Hutch-45Drives](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/Hutch-45Drives)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 11:59am UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/8 "2026-03-20T11:59:09Z")
I’m curious how you got the CPU cooler rotated in the correct direction. From what I can tell, that CPU cooler would be rotated 90 degrees from the airflow normally? Do you have additional pictures of how this mounts? ---
**Author:** ![Glitch3dPenguin](https://forum.45homelab.com/user_avatar/forum.45homelab.com/glitch3dpenguin/32/2393_2.png) [@Glitch3dPenguin](https://forum.45homelab.com/u/Glitch3dPenguin)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://forum.45homelab.com/t/hl15-beast-in-the-hl15-v1-form-factor/3762/9 "2026-03-20T16:30:06Z")
Honestly, I did not need to do anything special. The motherboard I am using is the [AsRock Rack RomeD8-2T](https://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=ROMED8-2T#Specifications) and the socket is long horizontally. This matches the flow directions of the fins and long part of the block on the Cooler. Using the bracket not shipped with the cooler, it appears it works with this socket in any direction actually. I hope that’s clear.