"green" 24x7 server

[geoff]

I want to set up a home server that runs 24x7 and consumes as little energy as possible.

My software requirements are:
Win 2k3 Domain Controller/DNS
Print server
Azureus
TVersity
Web Server
Unknown future needs

I am currently running an old Inspiron 8000 laptop with a p3 1ghz and 512mb RAM (it’s already upgraded as high as it will go). I have a couple of external drives connected to a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card for storage. This system is constantly at 500+mb mem usage and the cpu is nowhere near fast enough for TVersity’s on the fly encoding, so I am looking into getting something more powerful. I have been looking at a Shuttle K45 or a Dell Inspiron 531 because they are both supposed to be highly energy efficient. The Dell has a big case, and I am under the impression that it is efficient as a normal use desktop, but wouldn’t be as efficient in the way that I want to use it.

What are some other options for this? Would a new laptop be a better solution? Or should I just build something from scratch using components marketed as low energy?

Thank you.

 

[bexamous]

If you wanted to build your own system I would consider Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H and use onboard 780G video which is pretty decent. You can get whatever cheapo AM2 CPU you think you'll need. Memory is cheap. If you are buying hard drives get WD's Green Power drives as they use ~1/2 the power of a regular drive... or go for laptop drives which are even better... but GB/$ the GP drives are better.

System will idle ~40-50 watts.

Sticking with onboard video is one of the more important parts of staying with a lower power draw.

As for the PSU at this power draw spending extra money to get a highly efficint PSU will not pay for itself. 80% or 85% efficiency is basically a difference of only two watts at these power levels. Tho depending on case if you stay <120watts you can also have options like PicoPSU.