Need help on server build from scratch

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kalyan

n00b
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Aug 11, 2012
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Hello Everyone! :)

I'm happy to be a part of the hardest forum on the Internet. I'm very much new to assembling hardware and stuff to suit my needs.
I wanted to build my first server operating on Ubuntu 11.04 for the sole purpose of transferring files over the network via various protocols.

Could someone suggest me:

Processor:

AMD vs. Intel
ok, since this is the key element in determining the performance of the server, I'd need a good one. I completely have no knowledge of AMD. After a little bit delving around the sites, I found Intel Core i7-3820 Quad-Core Processor 3.6 GHz 10 MB Cache LGA 2011 - BX80619I73820.
I'd be transferring files on a Gigabit network (1000/1000 home connection)
Little more light on this would be appreciated

RAM:

Will 8GB suffice or will my network eat up all the RAM? I don't want my connection to get stifled due to my low RAM.

Ethernet Card:

Obviously, I need a Gigabit ethernet card. I'm going with TRENDnet Gigabit PCI Adapter Card TEG-PCITXR

Hard drive:

4TB Seagate Barracuda Internal Hard Drive.

I would need a really good cooling system to dispose off the heat, to prevent meltdown of internal components. I'd love to hear from you guys on this.

Thanks a lot! :)
 
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Please answer the stickied "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST!" so that we can help you better. Also additional questions:
11) Will this server be holding critical, priceless, hard to replace, and/or irreplaceable data?
12) Do you have a backup strategy?
13) How much storage do you want initially? How much storage do you think you'll want/need in the future?

Though for simple file sharing, you're way off the mark on the CPU: you would be fine a simple and cheap Pentium G630 CPU if all you're doing is file transfers. NIC wise, if you want something fast, stable, and reliable, you're basically looking at Intel NICs. Also, you want to avoid PCI NICs at all costs due to their relatively low performance.
 
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I would be running a lot of file transfers. Moreover, this machine will be connected to a 100/100 connection now. Occasionally, It'd be used to host LAN/Internet gaming which is why I'm going for a high end config.
Some insights on this would be really helpful.

Thanks a lot
 
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
File transfers/storage/backup and hosting high end LAN/Internet gaming server.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
1500$
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

Seattle, Washington
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU | RAM | Motherboard | Drives | Coolers | Power Supply | Case
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
No re-using of parts
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes
7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
21''
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Sooner, in like, 3 months
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
eSATA | USB 3.0
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I've a windows server 2008 64-bit key
 
kalyan said:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
File transfers/storage/backup and hosting high end LAN/Internet gaming server.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
1500$
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

Seattle, Washington
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU | RAM | Motherboard | Drives | Coolers | Power Supply | Case
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
No re-using of parts
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes
7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
21''
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Sooner, in like, 3 months
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
eSATA | USB 3.0
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I've a windows server 2008 64-bit key
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to fill out the questions as it will help us to help you better.

However, two things.

One, you forgot some additional questions;
11) Will this server be holding critical, priceless, hard to replace, and/or irreplaceable data?
12) Do you have a backup strategy?
13) How much storage do you want initially? How much storage do you think you'll want/need in the future?

Two, can you narrow that time frame in question number 8? Reason why is because what we recommend in November will almost surely be different than what we recommend in December, so 3 months from now will most likely be a completely different build since parts could become out of stock, discountinued, prices could raise or prices could lower on other better parts for the money, etc... Lots of factors can change a build a week from now, which means the chances of that build changing in 3 months is significantly higher.
 
+/- 100$ doesn't really make a difference to me, if that is the price difference. I really plan to build this one post Christmas. Saving some money for it now.

13) How much storage do you want initially? How much storage do you think you'll want/need in the future?
4TB internally now. Maybe, like another 12TB later

12. Backup strategy?
RAID 5
 
kalyan said:
+/- 100$ doesn't really make a difference to me, if that is the price difference. I really plan to build this one post Christmas. Saving some money for it now.
Click to expand...
Then please come back when you're 1-2 weeks away from buying the parts for the server. As Skillz pointed out, our specific hardware recommendations can change due to availability and pricing. As such, a server build we recommend today may not be the same server build we recommend in a month from since there might a better deal for a certain part or that part becomes out of stock, etc.

Considering that this is a major server build, you shouldn't really rush into this with specific hardware recommendations in mind. If you truly want to learn about this whole new world of server hardawre and setups, I highly recommend hitting up this website:
http://www.servethehome.com/

It's chock full of information about server hardware and the like and even has a few builders guide every once in awhile. Also, heed my advice from earlier: "NIC wise, if you want something fast, stable, and reliable, you're basically looking at Intel NICs. Also, you want to avoid PCI NICs at all costs due to their relatively low performance." Also, if you want relatively low power, you're looking at Intel. If you're looking at cost-effectiveness, AMD has a slight lead there but unfortunately has significantly higher power usage than an Intel platform.

I'd also recommend reading through our SSD & Data Storage subforum for OS and RAID advice as well. One thing you'll notice is that rarely does anyone in that subforum recommend a Windows 2K8 setup and RAID without the use of a true (and expensive at $300+) hardware RAID controller.

kalyan said:
12. Backup strategy?
RAID 5
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that's not a backup strategy: That's just an uptime strategy. RAID by itself does not protect against accidental or malicious deletion, infection, modfication, corruption, or removal of data. A backup is where a copy of a data is kept seperate from the main source of that data. So in other words, will this server be your sole source of your data or is it actually holding a copy of data found on another PC or PCs in your home?
 
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