Lenovo ThinkServer TS140 5U Tower Server, Intel Xeon E3, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD

seaneboy said:
Hmmph, I'm about to go drop ~$900 @ Microcenter for a new rig to run my triple Qnix, for WORK purposes only.. I'm wondering if this T140 might be my move instead..? Thoughts on that anyone?
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I guess it depends on what kind of WORK you are doing. An i5 is a great processor, and will last a long time. Naturally, there are certain tasks that the Xeon will do better, and tasks that the i5 will do better. With this TS140, all you really need to do is upgrade the memory, gpu, psu and hard drives (and maybe DVD-RW).

I guess it all depends on how much money you have available to spend. If you are strapped, then the TS140 is a good approach. If you have extra money to spend, then you can part it out (like you are doing) and get exactly the parts you want. I believe the TS140 can't handle memory greater than 1600 mHz, but I could be incorrect about that.
 
Pezzy said:
See Below. There seems to be a lot of different things being stated about the RAM.
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Apologies, Pezzy. I'd thought - make that assumed - you'd just popped into the updated thread without reading it.

Because this thread concerns a Xeon configuration, I also assume that you want to run ECC. It's kinda silly not to when the expensive CPU's already there.

You'll want DDR3, 1600, unbuffered/unregistered/etc., at 1.35 or 1.5v. Maximum size is 8GB per stick. This Newegg search for those specs is 95% Crucial & Kingston. (FWIW, I run Kingston in my HP E3-1240 box with no complaints.)

Pezzy said:
Newegg has a deal for $299.99 that is similar: Lenovo ThinkServer TS440 Tower Server- Intel Xeon E3-1225V3 3.2GHz, 4GB DDR3, SATA 6Gb/S, 4x Hot-Swap 3.5", No HDD, RAID, DVD-Writer, Intel HD Graphics P4600, No OS, 80 PLUS Gold PSU - 70AQ0009UX
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Note that the TS440 is much bigger than the TS140. After working with both models and the Dell T20, I'd buy whichever was the best config for the money at time of order. All offer similar performance, wattage & noise.

While the 440's hot-swap bays are a nice bonus, I don't find them that big a deal when working with just a few HDs. IMO, folks who need a lot of 3.5" storage should go for something with more bays.
 
provantage IIRC had the best or near best price on the crucial ECC 2x 8GB set. Thats where i bought mine and have no issue.
 
Pezzy said:
I guess it depends on what kind of WORK you are doing. An i5 is a great processor, and will last a long time. Naturally, there are certain tasks that the Xeon will do better, and tasks that the i5 will do better. With this TS140, all you really need to do is upgrade the memory, gpu, psu and hard drives (and maybe DVD-RW).

I guess it all depends on how much money you have available to spend. If you are strapped, then the TS140 is a good approach. If you have extra money to spend, then you can part it out (like you are doing) and get exactly the parts you want. I believe the TS140 can't handle memory greater than 1600 mHz, but I could be incorrect about that.
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Hey, thanks for the input... I think I'm just going to stick to my original plan and go full blown build. That way I'm not stuck with anything but what I want... Otherwise I'm up the same creek in in right now lackluster OEM parts, just down the road... No thanks! But many thanks for the input!
 
I know there is a 24 to 14 pin adapter. Is there any way to convert the 14 pin PSU to a 24 pin mobo? I have a system that had it's 350W PSU burn out, and I'd like to know if I could adapt the TS140's PSU to work with it.
 
Pezzy said:
I know there is a 24 to 14 pin adapter. Is there any way to convert the 14 pin PSU to a 24 pin mobo? I have a system that had it's 350W PSU burn out, and I'd like to know if I could adapt the TS140's PSU to work with it.
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The thinkserver power supply only has two connectors coming out of it. the 14 pin and one four pin. everything else is powered off the motherboard. The fans from fan headers and two Sata power leads with 3 ea sata power connectors.
Soo... No, the power supply will not work in any other system. Even if you adapted the 14 pin to 24 pin connector. there is no way to power the HD/SSD
 
Thanks Marvin. It was worth a shot. The Antec case had a proprietary PSU that fit into the case. I haven't seen any other PSU's that would work the same way as the one it came with. I can easily plug another PSU into the mobo and components, but it wouldn't really fit in the case well. Maybe I can rig something to work with a small enough PSU.
 
hardware_failure said:
IThe main MB power connector is 14 pin vs 24. ("TFX" form factor?) but there are now adapters on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e=as2&tag=mostfofr-20&linkId=DJ5AFXEMXST3LW5R

Just pick one of those up for $8, buy PSU and GPU of choice, upgrade ram / add SSD if desired and game to your hearts content.
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Is this adapter on ebay a POS? With tax and ship Amazon was $22

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24Pin-to-14...ovo-Q77-B75-A75-Q75-Motherboard-/311288474312
 
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roma said:
Is this adapter on ebay a POS? With tax and ship Amazon was $22

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24Pin-to-14...ovo-Q77-B75-A75-Q75-Motherboard-/311288474312
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I'll let you know later. My TS140 should be arriving sometime today, and I already have the adapter from Amazon. I will hopefully be able to get it set up later tonight.

One difference is that the Ebay item comes from China. The Amazon one doesn't. And if you don't have Prime, then yes, you have to pay for shipping. If you search for the adapter on Amazon, there is a cheaper one, but it doesn't have as many good reviews as the one you linked.
 
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Pezzy said:
I'll let you know later. My TS140 should be arriving sometime today, and I already have the adapter from Amazon. I will hopefully be able to get it set up later tonight.

One difference is that the Ebay item comes from China. The Amazon one doesn't. And if you don't have Prime, then yes, you have to pay for shipping. If you search for the adapter on Amazon, there is a cheaper one, but it doesn't have as many good reviews as the one you linked.
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Thanks - I do generally suspect items from China but I've also been lucky a few times (like my $6 camping stove lol).

I got my server today and put W7 on it for now. I'm debating adding a new PSU and vid card or just pulling the cpu for a new mobo in another case. I was waiting for Skylake and DDR4 to upgrade but thats not interesting anymore (maybe next year). Thought maybe I'll fly with the Xeon for now and throw something else (i3 maybe) in the server.
 
Okay, it will need to be later today. I was on a conference call when UPS tried to deliver it, and I couldn't step away to get it. Now I'll have to pick it up at an Access Point location.
 
Got my TS140 today. The box was in pretty good shape (some scuff marks, but fully intact). The system inside was packed as you'd expect from Lenovo. Case was free from marks.

This case is much smaller than I expected. I could barely squeeze in my PSU, but I could not fit my GPU (or even my backup GPU) into it. I would want to cut off at least 1 inch (if not 2) from the PSU and GPU.

So in the end, this will not meet my needs. Even if I put the mobo in a larger case, it wouldn't fit the GPU (as the card runs right into the SATA ports).

I put my 16 GB of ECC ram into it, put the stock PSU back on, tossed in an SSD, and am installing Win 7 right now. I'll eventually turn it into a media server.

So I can't answer a question about the quality of the PSU pin adapter. I will say that it looks to be of good quality, so I wouldn't hesitate getting one if you need it.
 
Pezzy said:
Got my TS140 today. The box was in pretty good shape (some scuff marks, but fully intact). The system inside was packed as you'd expect from Lenovo. Case was free from marks.

This case is much smaller than I expected. I could barely squeeze in my PSU, but I could not fit my GPU (or even my backup GPU) into it. I would want to cut off at least 1 inch (if not 2) from the PSU and GPU.

So in the end, this will not meet my needs. Even if I put the mobo in a larger case, it wouldn't fit the GPU (as the card runs right into the SATA ports).

I put my 16 GB of ECC ram into it, put the stock PSU back on, tossed in an SSD, and am installing Win 7 right now. I'll eventually turn it into a media server.

So I can't answer a question about the quality of the PSU pin adapter. I will say that it looks to be of good quality, so I wouldn't hesitate getting one if you need it.
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I tried a AMD 7850 in the case and it fits nice. Of course I would have to add a different psu but like most people I have an old CX430 laying around. Its just that if I have to buy an adapter for $22 and more costly ECC I might as well get a 1150 mobo and pull the Xeon (skipping adapter and using RAM I have already). I can get a lesser cpu to toss back in case. I kind of like the case - not a sharp edge to be found and real rubber footies (and real metal mobo shield in back - not those bendy foil jobs). I like the different SATA connectors that get power off the mobo and not psu.

My box and packing were also pretty decent. Box looked like it was sitting around collecting dust somewhere but all was good. Since assembling my own computers since 2005 I never expected to open another computer in a box lol.

Good Youtube I saw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHUYPRf75U4

Good article
http://storageioblog.com/part-ii-lenovo-ts140-server-storage-io-review/
 
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