File Server Upgrade Help

D

Dartz

Weaksauce
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
72
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Just sharing files over home network

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I would like to keep it under $400, $500 is absolute max

3) Where do you live?
Oklahoma

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Motherboard, RAM, PSU, Processor

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Monitor (15")
(2) 1TB WD Green drives
(1) 320GB Seagate
(1) 160GB Seagate for OS
Antec 300 Case
KB/M

6) Will you be overclocking?
no

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Reusing 15"er

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
In the next 2 weeks

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Gigabit LAN is a must. I don't think I need raid for 2 TB drives...?

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, Server 2008

I really just need support for more than 2 sata drives (my current psu only has 2 sata connectors)

My current mobo is an old AMD Socket 939 with an equally old processor. The only reason for the upgrade is the lack of sata connections on the mobo and psu :/

I plan to add 3 more 1 TB hard drives or 2 TB hard drives depending on prices and what not so I figured I'd better go ahead and upgrade now.

I have priced some of the equipment on newegg:
Motherboard = $89.99
Processor = $148.99
RAM = $25.99

Just wanted to know if I'm on the right track.
Thanks guys. :)
 
What is your current mobo and PSU?

File server w/ a Quad CPU?!? :confused: totally overkill. The main thing you want in a fileserver is fast I/O if in a multi-user environment, but for home, all you probably need is a SATA controller card and possibly a new PSU, unless you're a super power user that has 3 systems hitting the fileserver simultaneously for large files.
 
That's WAAAAAAY overkill.

I'd look for a Celeron CPU, basic Mobo w/ enough RAM and SATA ports, and then basic RAM for whatever board you suggest. A PSU like one of Corsair offerings would be a good choice and last you a good while.

But really, as a the previous poster said, go out and get a new PSU and a SATA card and be done with it. Save your money for drives.
 
enginurd said:
What is your current mobo and PSU?

File server w/ a Quad CPU?!? :confused: totally overkill. The main thing you want in a fileserver is fast I/O if in a multi-user environment, but for home, all you probably need is a SATA controller card and possibly a new PSU, unless you're a super power user that has 3 systems hitting the fileserver simultaneously for large files.
Click to expand...

Heh..Sorry if it's overkill. I'm not really sure what I need. The current mobo is a GA-K8NF-9 (rev. 2.0)

I don't know what the power supply is. It has 2 sata power connectors and 3 Moler? connectors for ide hard drives and cd/dvd drives. Also the cable length on it leave so much to be desired.

If I can get away with just adding a sata controller then that's fine and then I'd only need to upgrade the PSU and add a gigabit NIC right?

Thanks in advance :)
 
D'oh... I was hoping you had an nF4 Ultra with more than 1 PCI-E slot for a controller. Though you could still add a PCI SATA controller, bandwidth will be limited by the shared PCI bus, so a mobo upgrade would be beneficial.

How many drives do you plan on having total? including optical?
 
Wait will you be reusing a video card?

EDIT: Here's a prelim build anyway:
$59 - AMD Athlon II X2 240 CPU
$85 - ASUS M4A785T-M/CSM AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$45 - Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM
---
Total: $189 plus tax and shipping.
 
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I will never have more than 7 drives; 1 DVD drive, 1 drive for OS + apps, 5 storage drives.

Right now all I really do is stream movies and shows to different parts of the house.

Thanks for all the help :)

--- I do have a nvidia 7300 that I'm using right now in the server.
 
Dartz said:
I will never have more than 7 drives; 1 DVD drive, 1 drive for OS + apps, 5 storage drives.

Right now all I really do is stream movies and shows to different parts of the house.

Thanks for all the help :)

--- I do have a nvidia 7300 that I'm using right now in the server.
Click to expand...

then yeah, the $189 build above will be more than enough :)
 
Yes, but not such a great choice. The Corsair CX 400W would be a better choice, IMO.

$50 - Corsair CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified [FS] ($15MIR)
 
I would also recommend the Corsair CMPSU-400CX. That is a solid power supply with sufficient power. It is also very nicely sleeved. 30A on the +12V.
 
Thanks everyone. I'll go with your suggestions and make the purchase next week.
 
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