Is an Atom-based motherboard decent for a home server?

I currently have what you would call a 'Frankenstein' server -- a server made up of recycled parts. It works, but the time is coming to think about replacing it with a system build with servers in mind.

It's going to be a home server -- the main function of which is to store data (movies, music, backups, etc) and to stream to the XBMC's in the house. It's also going to be a light web server, being a development platform of mine while also serving up a simple, personable blog. Other functions include torrent downloading, VPN, etc. Very light workload all around -- I'm not trying to power Wikipedia here. Maybe setting it up as a router eventually, but for now that job is handled my my Linksys wireless router running DD-WRT.

Anyway, I was looking at Atom-based motherboard as an option -- they seem to be lightweight and cheap; perfect for what I'm looking for. I'm looking for others' opinions...

Also, any motherboard recommendations? Please, no ION motherboards -- don't need graphical power. =D

Best "bang for the buck" Atom-based barebones system (check the reviews )


Zotac is a new US based company... I believe they have a Zotac rep here on [H] too.

.......Or if you want just the motherboard setup and design your own HTPC... Then DEFINITELY this Intel motherboard/CPU combo by Intel.

There's a review on this motherboard with pics and a build here --->
http://usingwindowshomeserver.com/2...ay-night-purchase-and-assembly-video-edition/

I just picked up an intel d510m0, it is great very surprised at how well it is performing.

That's 2 votes for the Intel d510m0 http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.h...rds=B003374OWW&url=search-alias%3Delectronics

It definitely fits your bill, unless you want to get that prebuilt setup and save time building it ( and a little bit of cash if you have extra parts around especially)

Hrm, I should have mentioned that I also plan to add disks to this thing, so it either needs to have about 4x SATA ports, or work with a SATA expansion card.

That mobo has 2x SATA ports, so I'll eventually add a SATA card to it. My worry is that a basic PCI slot will be inadequate for data transfer... or am I wrong in my thinking? I am not too familiar on the speeds of the various expansion ports...

I have seen this recommended a few times on the networking and data storage areas.

Supermicro Mini ITX Intel Atom D510

Good thing with this is the dual intel NICs and 6 sata ports, hard to come by on a mini itx board.

hiodie said:

I have seen this recommended a few times on the networking and data storage areas.

Supermicro Mini ITX Intel Atom D510

Good thing with this is the dual intel NICs and 6 sata ports, hard to come by on a mini itx board.

Click to expand...

Slightly out of my price range, trying to keep it around $100, but yes that is a nice looking board.

Another option I am trying to look into is a SATA port multiplier. Since a traditional mechanical HDDs can only read/write at around 100MB/s max, a SATA 3.0 Gb/s port should support around three. Add one more disk to that at the cost of slight performance drop (which is find for home use) and I can have 4 disks hooked up to one SATA port...

However, info on buying consumer-grade port multipliers seems to be scarce. I'm still looking at my options, and if port multipliers are expensive then I might as well invest in that mobo you posted...

That link that you posted also open up a few more motherboard to me since I never thought to check out 'server motherboards'. Thanks!