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Hi all,
I'm looking into buiding a small server system (2nd computer), in order to access my files when at school, share files and maybe host a small web site. Nothing fancy or ultra-mega performant. Not much applications would run on it, the OS and maybe some software firewall. It will be my first experience in networking.
I want a quite small hardware system, since space is an issue. Probably I'll build a custom case. I already have some parts from my previous (dead) computer: 40Gb IDE Western Digital HD, Asus A7V133-C mb, 256mb PC133 Kingston RAM, original Duron heatsink/ARX fan, Radeon 7000 32Mb, LAN PCI card, L&C (ever heard of L&C???
) 350W PSU. I'd like to run Windows 2000 on the machine.
Here's the options I've looked at for now, all with the 40Gb HD, a micro-atx PSU and maybe a CD drive:
A- Start building from my a7v133 mobo (supports up to 1.3Ghz cpu). Buy a Duron or T-bird and install it. Most economical choice, but ATX board eats up much space. No onboard video nor LAN, so it has to have a graphic + LAn card, taking more place. Last resort system, but cheapest one too.
B- Dump the A7V133, LAN and Radeon. Use the money to help buy an A7N266-VM mobo (Micro-ATX), still with a Duron/T-bird, or an used Athlon XP + some RAM. Onboard graphics & LAN a biiiig advantage. Still, quite big, but manageable.
C- As above, but with a Mini-ITX board/CPU. Space-wise, the perfect solution for me, but a little bit more costy. Due to monetary constraints, I'd have to buy a low-end model... Would it be up to the task? (500-800mhz range)
D- Insert your mb/cpu suggestion here. It can be Intel/AMD, with new/used parts. Micro-ATX or smaller. Onboard LAN and Video a must.
My questions:
1-Is RAM an important issue when building a server? (remember I don't want a cutting edge machine, but not a "bare minimum requirements" one too.)
2-What about processor speed? (would a Duron 850 do about the same job as a 1.2Ghz?) I heard CPU cache is an important factor, server-wise, so a T-Bird would be a better idea.
3-Since I don't want a second monitor/keyboard/mouse for the server, could I plug 'em all on a kinda splitter/switchboard, so I could control both computers from the same devices? I'd prefer this solution to the "remote PC" software, so I could access the server's BIOS on boot, for example.
4-What would be the SAFE minimum PSU wattage I'd need?
Thanks all!
I'm looking into buiding a small server system (2nd computer), in order to access my files when at school, share files and maybe host a small web site. Nothing fancy or ultra-mega performant. Not much applications would run on it, the OS and maybe some software firewall. It will be my first experience in networking.
I want a quite small hardware system, since space is an issue. Probably I'll build a custom case. I already have some parts from my previous (dead) computer: 40Gb IDE Western Digital HD, Asus A7V133-C mb, 256mb PC133 Kingston RAM, original Duron heatsink/ARX fan, Radeon 7000 32Mb, LAN PCI card, L&C (ever heard of L&C???
) 350W PSU. I'd like to run Windows 2000 on the machine.Here's the options I've looked at for now, all with the 40Gb HD, a micro-atx PSU and maybe a CD drive:
A- Start building from my a7v133 mobo (supports up to 1.3Ghz cpu). Buy a Duron or T-bird and install it. Most economical choice, but ATX board eats up much space. No onboard video nor LAN, so it has to have a graphic + LAn card, taking more place. Last resort system, but cheapest one too.
B- Dump the A7V133, LAN and Radeon. Use the money to help buy an A7N266-VM mobo (Micro-ATX), still with a Duron/T-bird, or an used Athlon XP + some RAM. Onboard graphics & LAN a biiiig advantage. Still, quite big, but manageable.
C- As above, but with a Mini-ITX board/CPU. Space-wise, the perfect solution for me, but a little bit more costy. Due to monetary constraints, I'd have to buy a low-end model... Would it be up to the task? (500-800mhz range)
D- Insert your mb/cpu suggestion here. It can be Intel/AMD, with new/used parts. Micro-ATX or smaller. Onboard LAN and Video a must.
My questions:
1-Is RAM an important issue when building a server? (remember I don't want a cutting edge machine, but not a "bare minimum requirements" one too.)
2-What about processor speed? (would a Duron 850 do about the same job as a 1.2Ghz?) I heard CPU cache is an important factor, server-wise, so a T-Bird would be a better idea.
3-Since I don't want a second monitor/keyboard/mouse for the server, could I plug 'em all on a kinda splitter/switchboard, so I could control both computers from the same devices? I'd prefer this solution to the "remote PC" software, so I could access the server's BIOS on boot, for example.
4-What would be the SAFE minimum PSU wattage I'd need?
Thanks all!