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Need Help Building First Server!

R

Rockstar

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Messages
474
Hello everyone, im going to build a file server for the first time for me and a few friends to access and share files, i have no clue where to start but ill figure most of the stuff probably from youtube! Im on a tight budget so want the server to be quiet as possible and easy on the electricity bill lol.

Well here is where i start! :)

COOLER MASTER Elite 340 Case

ASUS M2V-MX SE Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ CPU

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 Memory

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB Hard Drive

Antec earthwatts EA380 ATX12V v2.0 380W Power Supply

Thats just an idea of what im looking for, please recommends whatever you thinks better. Thanks!:)
 
Maybe go for a cheap core 2 duo instead, and more hdd space if its for files... other than that pretty good I think.
 
honestly a file server doesn't need super powerful computer... you're probably better off from a price standpoint to buy a used PC from craigslist or something... You wouldn't need above a P3 - 800Mhz machine which would cost you $50-100 bucks.

The only thing your PC would be missing then would be storage space... you could buy the 160 gig drive you had mentioned in your build, or upgrade it to a 500 gig with the money you saved.

If you insist on building your own consider these to cover the low power requirements:
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4842001
http://www.logicsupply.com/products/d201gly2 also on newegg but OOS http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813121326
Bth would allow you to have a system below 50w easily - much lower if you buy a power efficient power supply like the PicoPSU or Sparkle Power SPI SPI220LE.

If you've never built a machine before and you try it - have someone who has done it before to supervise you... you can break/kill stuff fairly easily... and stuff is expensive.
 
ive never actually done it, but i think that a pretty fast single core processor would suffice (p4 3ghz+). get a mobo with sata connection for faster data transfer, and definitely more hdd space. were talking at least 500gb.
 
If this is for simple file serving, a C2D CPU is overkill. I recommend going with teststrips' recommendations for the low power items. Do note however that the Intel mobo is faster than the VIA mobo but has significantly less expandibility. If this is only for file sharing, go with the VIA mobo since the extra PCI slots and two IDE ports might come in handy when you want to expand.

Oh and in case you don't want to build, Dell has a good deal going on a server for $200:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1272843

Just add a bigger hard drive and you're done!
 
teststrips said:
honestly a file server doesn't need super powerful computer... you're probably better off from a price standpoint to buy a used PC from craigslist or something... You wouldn't need above a P3 - 800Mhz machine which would cost you $50-100 bucks.

The only thing your PC would be missing then would be storage space... you could buy the 160 gig drive you had mentioned in your build, or upgrade it to a 500 gig with the money you saved.

If you insist on building your own consider these to cover the low power requirements:
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4842001
http://www.logicsupply.com/products/d201gly2 also on newegg but OOS http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813121326
Bth would allow you to have a system below 50w easily - much lower if you buy a power efficient power supply like the PicoPSU or Sparkle Power SPI SPI220LE.

If you've never built a machine before and you try it - have someone who has done it before to supervise you... you can break/kill stuff fairly easily... and stuff is expensive.
Click to expand...

Danny Bui said:
If this is for simple file serving, a C2D CPU is overkill. I recommend going with teststrips' recommendations for the low power items. Do note however that the Intel mobo is faster than the VIA mobo but has significantly less expandibility. If this is only for file sharing, go with the VIA mobo since the extra PCI slots and two IDE ports might come in handy when you want to expand.

Oh and in case you don't want to build, Dell has a good deal going on a server for $200:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1272843

Just add a bigger hard drive and you're done!
Click to expand...

Thanks for your very usefull post guys! Ok, well i have built a few pc's and they all worked so far ;D, But this will be my first build of a Server, I simply dont know what it needs. That Dell server for 200$ Looks intresting and is it worth the money?

What if i was going to use this server to run a Call of duty 4 server will it work with ought any lag or game play issues? Again! thanks for your help guys, and theres noway in hell im going to purchase a c2d wich retail arround 150$ when im on a budget lol.
 
Rockstar said:
Thanks for your very usefull post guys! Ok, well i have built a few pc's and they all worked so far ;D, But this will be my first build of a Server, I simply dont know what it needs. That Dell server for 200$ Looks intresting and is it worth the money?

What if i was going to use this server to run a Call of duty 4 server will it work with ought any lag or game play issues? Again! thanks for your help guys, and theres noway in hell im going to purchase a c2d wich retail around 150$ when im on a budget lol.
Click to expand...

It's worth the money IMO due to Dell's superb Business warranty and support. As for a COD4 server, dunno. It all depends on how much bandwidth you have available, how many players, etc. etc. It should handle small games of 12 to 16 pretty well if you add more RAM.

Oh you will need to use ECC unbuffered RAM, no regular DDR2 RAM. Quick egghunt for ya:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Subcategory=541&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=
 
Danny Bui said:
It's worth the money IMO due to Dell's superb Business warranty and support. As for a COD4 server, dunno. It all depends on how much bandwidth you have available, how many players, etc. etc. It should handle small games of 12 to 16 pretty well if you add more RAM.

Oh you will need to use ECC unbuffered RAM, no regular DDR2 RAM. Quick egghunt for ya:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Subcategory=541&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=
Click to expand...

awesome, im liking that dell server, but can i add 800 mhz ram in? instead of 667,? or what do you prefer and whats the different with ECC ram? ive never heard of it.
 
Rockstar said:
awesome, im liking that dell server, but can i add 800 mhz ram in? instead of 667,? or what do you prefer and whats the different with ECC ram? ive never heard of it.
Click to expand...

ECC:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECC_memory#Error-correcting_memory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_random_access_memory#Errors_and_error_correction

Mainly used by server grade hardware. No point in adding in DDR2 800Mhz. You won't see any performance increase. Also, there isn't that many ECC unbuffered DDR2 800 RAM at newegg anyway.

I like these sets of RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134332 - 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134337 - 2GB
 
Danny Bui said:
ECC:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECC_memory#Error-correcting_memory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_random_access_memory#Errors_and_error_correction

Mainly used by server grade hardware. No point in adding in DDR2 800Mhz. You won't see any performance increase. Also, there isn't that many ECC unbuffered DDR2 800 RAM at newegg anyway.

I like these sets of RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134332 - 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134337 - 2GB
Click to expand...

ah thanks! Im about ready to order, but before i do so, is it easy to set up a file server and what would i need? i have a router and a fast connection, so am i set to go?
Also what OS should i use? Linux or Windows 2000, I can download linux or use my spare windows 2000 that i have. :D
 
Rockstar said:
ah thanks! Im about ready to order, but before i do so, is it easy to set up a file server and what would i need? i have a router and a fast connection, so am i set to go?
Also what OS should i use? Linux or Windows 2000, I can download linux or use my spare windows 2000 that i have. :D
Click to expand...

Easy? Well if you're using Windows, it's relative easy to set up a file server. Set up a home network. Then just right click, check the properties and share the folder. Simple as that. Linux requires a bit more work but is free and you don't have to worry about viruses, worms and such.

Personally I use Linux because it's free, not as much of a resource hog like Windows and I can start from scratch. Here are a few links to build a server:
http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/06/05/build_your_own_server/1
http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/07/24/build_your_own_better_server/1
http://howtoforge.com/ubuntu-home-fileserver
 
Danny Bui said:
Easy? Well if you're using Windows, it's relative easy to set up a file server. Set up a home network. Then just right click, check the properties and share the folder. Simple as that. Linux requires a bit more work but is free and you don't have to worry about viruses, worms and such.

Personally I use Linux because it's free, not as much of a resource hog like Windows and I can start from scratch. Here are a few links to build a server:
http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/06/05/build_your_own_server/1
http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/07/24/build_your_own_better_server/1
http://howtoforge.com/ubuntu-home-fileserver
Click to expand...

ok thanks, just bookmarked those for later. Im thinking im ordering tomorrow morning. I wonder if ubuntu can run a cod4 server though, we will see. By the way, does the ECC ram work with any motherboard ? or a specific server board.
 
Rockstar said:
ok thanks, just bookmarked those for later. Im thinking im ordering tomorrow morning. I wonder if ubuntu can run a cod4 server though, we will see. By the way, does the ECC ram work with any motherboard ? or a specific server board.
Click to expand...

ECC RAM will work only in server motherboards if my understanding is correct.

Google "COD 4 Linux server" for more info on running a linux COD4 server.

Deal ends tommorrow.
 
Danny Bui said:
ECC RAM will work only in server motherboards if my understanding is correct.

Google "COD 4 Linux server" for more info on running a linux COD4 server.

Deal ends tommorrow.
Click to expand...

oh man, do i have to order today to get it? or is 2morrow the last day when i can order. lol
 
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