Building a 2u Opteron server

[amdbldr]

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of building a 2u web server. Since this is going to be my first colocated server I need your advice on if I'm doing this right.

What I've spec'd out so far:

2u case w/ lots of 80mm fans for cooling
1 x Opteron 170 (dual core 2.0 GHz)
Asus AN8 VM motherboard w/ integrated video microATX
4 GB unbuffered, non ECC PC3200 ram
2 x 250 SATA II for media files
2 x 80 SATA for database on SATA card
1 x 80 SATA for OS (linux Centos 4.2)
PCI SATA card (for db & OS)
400 W power supply

Similar systems built by SUN (x2100) have 3 less hard drives, but a 300 W ps. I figure 400 W should be sufficient. Or is this assumption wrong?

Also, this server is going to be serving media files no larger than 300kB each, but typically 100kB. I wanted to put the media files on it's own backplane, the db with it's own drives and the OS on another.

I have the CPU on order. The case is on it's way. I tested the RAM and 3 are good, 1 was bad (memory errors galore).

I was thinking I could get away with a small overclock of say 10%. What do you think I can get away with for a production server?

I appreciate any feedback you can give.

HJH

 

[hokatichenci]

Be aware that running 4gb on that system will downclock the memory to 333 from 400 (this is typical as per all 939's afaik) and can cause problems. If you are looking for a high availability system or if uptime is critical you should look into running RAID1/3/5/6. Depending on the cooling situation at your colo you might want to think twice about overclocking, the place my servers are at is incredibly hot. G'luck!

 

[amdbldr]

I didn't know that it would down clock the ram to 166. I've tested 2x1GB sticks to 270 at 2T command timings and they seem rock solid. If I override the system default memory settings what could happen with all 4GB?

I plan on running raid 1 for the paired hard drives, except for the OS.

Thanks for the tips. I will also look into the cooling situation there.

 

[dualblade]

Be aware that running 4gb on that system will downclock the memory to 333 from 400 (this is typical as per all 939's afaik) and can cause problems. If you are looking for a high availability system or if uptime is critical you should look into running RAID1/3/5/6. Depending on the cooling situation at your colo you might want to think twice about overclocking, the place my servers are at is incredibly hot. G'luck!

is the memory restriction because all the dimms are filled, or because of 4gb? pre venice core, 4 dimms would drop you to 333, but now 4 dimms just means 2T instead of 1T, which makes virtually no real world difference

 

[amdbldr]

is the memory restriction because all the dimms are filled, or because of 4gb? pre venice core, 4 dimms would drop you to 333, but now 4 dimms just means 2T instead of 1T, which makes virtually no real world difference

I just looked this up and my Opteron Rev E6 chip is okay. It won't drop the clock, but will drop the timings to 2T. I believe it does this because the 4 dimm banks are full. So no worries.

I actually got lucky since I went with the super el cheapo PC3200 ram at Newegg $63/gig and it wouldn't boot at 1T PC3200. But since I'm filling it with 4 GB, going 2T is a-okay.

HJH

 

[amdbldr]

Another question for anybody who knows the answer.

I have a regular ATX power supply. I'm going to point the exhaust out the left front of the case. The other fans will be pulling air in from the right side. Is this okay?


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