We’re excited to share the next big update on the HL15 Extended Version! After listening to your feedback, we’re moving forward with two HL15 options:
4U Version – The same size as the original HL15 but upgrading to a 1000WPSU (and still able to fit GPUs that are maximum 10” length).
5U Version – A larger model designed to fit some of the largest GPUs on the market and featuring a 1000Wpower supply for more demanding builds.
Now that we’re finalizing the details, we’d love your input on a couple of key points:
4U compatible GPUs: Which would you like to see in our store as add-on options? [10 ¼” length max]
5U compatible GPUs: Which ones would you like to see in our store as add-on options?
Motherboards for 5U: Since the 5U version will support E-ATX motherboards, we’d love to know what option you’d like.
While we’d love to, it isn’t logistically possible to carry every option on the market, so your feedback will help us focus on what you want the most.Your feedback has been essential throughout this process, we truly appreciate it!
This is great news! Are there any current suppliers you’d like the community to consider first on Motherboards and GPUs? We’ve seen you work with Supermicro for the HL15 and, more recently, Gigabyte with the HL8. Are there other brands already available to you? I know you guys will put in the work if the demand is compelling, but I also understand the need for sustainability that comes from a manageable supply chain.
I have been following the HL15 since the first reddit posts, and am hoping to order one soon.
One “issue” I had was length and lack of available space for a GPU. It would be nice if the 4U Extended version was longer to allow for a 3090 sized card. It doesn’t make sense (to me) to offer a 1000w PSU but keep the short depth. What good is the 1000w PSU if you still can’t fit a 3090 or 4090?
For GPU support, all I want is to be able to use a FHFL server GPU with a power connector without the need to find the gap between the fans to plug them in…
Glad to see that others are also considering putting a large GPU in their HL15. I tried but I had to remove a row of fans and the drive cages. People thought I was crazy. Here are a few things that I think would be helpful. If I am off in the weeds please ignore, as I often am.
Any reason for going 5U instead of a deeper 4U chassis? I have seen several projects where the existing 4U chassis was modified to fit GPUs, and I think a deeper 4U would better suit the need than a 5U. (I do get there are some larger GPUs with higher height requirements, but in a homelab rack mount setting height is more valuable than depth, at least in my opinion)
I will note I haven’t delved into GPUs too much so I am not sure what the height requirements really are. Just sharing my thoughts.
I think they’re trying to avoid four different versions of the case; 4U ATX, 4U EATX, 5U ATX, 5U EATX. Besides GPUs, people have also asked about running CPU coolers taller than 4U. So, as a compromise just make the 5U the taller and longer version.
I think most people who want a larger chassis can give up 1U. I haven’t seen anyone saying “Gee, i wish the HL15 was longer and only took up 2U”. Squeezing storage and compute in the minimum U seems more a data center thing.
I have a difficult time to name specific models, but in general I’d say to come up with the 4 to 5 most common use-cases and cover them in your store (though not necessarily all of them with each card). For me the following use-cases come to mind at the moment:
Plex/Emby/Jellyfin transcoding
Blender rendering
Video rendering
Gaming server
There seem to be plenty of suitable GPUs for transcoding with the necessary form factor for U4, e.g. I was looking at a Sparkle Intel Arc A310 for that purpose (though apparently this card isn’t good at the other use-cases).
Re. use cases 2 to 4 it seems a bit tougher, because in those categories it always seems “the bigger, the better”, so folks buying an HL15 in the future will probably drift towards a future 5U case. But of course current owners of the HL15 would still benefit from a well-curated selection.
I was also thinking Intel Arc GPU’s and looking at brands to recommend. I’m running an A750 Limited Edition in my HL15 for video transcoding. I would have bought that single slot Sparkle A310 you called out had I known about sooner. As far as I can tell, they are one of the only ones with a Arc GPU this small. They also carry other variants so maybe they would work out well for a variety of Arc GPU’s.
I came across that card from watching this Youtube video. The author (HardwareHaven) points out though (in the Takeaways section of the video) that this card was much easier to get working for a Plex/Jellyfin setup than the Nvidia cards, but he couldn’t get it to work for several other use-cases at all. So apparently a card for a single specialized use-case…
Of course that video was focused on low-profile cards, which is not a requirement here, as 4U seems fine for a regular profile card, at least as long as the card doesn’t protrude too much above the slot bracket.
On a more general note: I wouldn’t think it’s a bad idea to include a card like the Sparkle A310, even though it appears to have a more specialized use-case (and that use-case should be clearly marked in the product description in the 45HomelabStore).
However then other cards should also be offered that cover some of the other use-cases as well. At the moment I’m a little conflicted what card to get, but that’s not the topic of this thread…
I’d like to see a face plate with some USB ports. In my primary location accessing the back of the rack is rather difficult. I’d definitely get faceplates for my Q30s that had this feature. (My HL15 is somewhere I can easily get to the back).
