AliExpress X99 in a System76 Nebula 36

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System76's Thelio lineup of Workstations have always had an air of luxury around them. Whether it was the wood inlay, the space-inspired cutouts and fan grills, or the industrial-style internal frame, I've always wanted one.

Now with the Nebula, you can build your own... but is the Nebula the case you've been looking for?

Parts from today's build...

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Music:
Music: Funky House by Frank Schroeter

0:00 - Intro and Cat Ear Jeff
2:10 - Which Parts For This Build?
7:02 - BUILD MONTAGE!
9:08 - Nebula 36 Case Review
11:52 - Cooling Options and Performance
14:47 - Overall Impressions + Wrapup

[skaal_]

love that the majority of the comments are about the x99 motherboard platform versus the case

[SP-nyfk]

I like that you never give up on the promise of X99 :)

I would like to see more explorations of systems that accept legacy industrial CPUs / parts - especially if small form factor servers

[truejp_tv]

Built my first server with the 22 Core Xeon and a Machinist X99 Mainboard some time ago - still rocks without even a single issue. Well, finding the option to Autostart after AC Power Loss in BIOS took a while, besides that just perfect.

[psully]

Yes I do get the urges to build often.This build looks fantastic! Thanks for the motivation... Awesome job on the video as well

[pedro.balbino]

I'm completely addicted to xeon builds and this video scratched an itch that needed to be scratched. I'm always looking some reason to build a xeon build for someone.

[OldMan_PJ]

My current case is a Spartex Osmi 3.1 (ITX) that cost $199 and while it was a pain to build in the quality far surpasses what you've experienced with the Nebula. This thing is solid as a brick and all the vents are on the back, top, and bottom, keeping them out of view.

[Trains-With-Shane]

I'm surprised at the lack of material quality in that thing. IF it harkens back to the good old days in the early 2000's it should at least take some queues from Lian Li or somebody that was actually putting thought in to materials and their thickness back then.

[talkingonthespectrum]

if you are in the UK and are looking for used workstation/server hardware for things like chips and memory especially bargain hardware is an amazing place. That's where I got my 22 core xeon and 128GB DDR4 ECC

[odysseyf]

That motherboard looks brilliant. it looks even better than any X99 board that was released from the major vendors when X99 was new, i know, i had a X99 platform back when it first came out :) might have to get one of those boards for my Xeon 1650V4

[Asgard-vdS]

I am actually more hyped for Christmas than my son. And he is getting a new rig. Though I get to build it. So double Christmas present.

[wlpaul]

I missed these types of videos. I don't have space for any more builds, so I have to live vicariously through you. lol

[protator]

Single socket X99 workstation --> 2696v3 it's basically a much higher clocking version of the 2699. With just a slight bus oc it'll boost two cores to 4GHz and clocks the other cores down in much finer steps. Not to mention there's always the v3 Xeon all-core boost hack - 18 cores at 3.8GHz is serious compute power for an old X99 system.

[safedave]

X99 is a underrated platform for diy home servers. I run a 2x 2699 v3 with 96gb ram (I am waiting to get another 32gb kit) love me a good core count

[FintanMoloney]

That indeed is a lovely case Jeff. Looks great on the desk.

[leggeddog]

ah yes the X-99 builds!
I knew it was just a matter of time :D

[SuperDerek]

Oh that is a sexy case!
...Ok, that wiggle wobble seems a bit meh for the price. The wood accent is niiice but without a premium feel, it's no longer tempting.

[mbe]

Dammit Jeff... there goes the Fractal North, System 76 it That looks soooo flippin nice!!!!

[simonfr]

Funnily enough, I was looking at this exact board about a week ago for one of my projects, and I tought about contacting you as I was sure you would be interested to try it out

[sojabon]

when my current xeon based system gives out i might go for a chinese x99 mb as well :)

and that music during the build is nice

[declanmcardle]

Having a case which looks like a speaker seems like an easy way to get a HA kubernetes cluster into the living room without the wife noticing...