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Recommendations: Server Computer Components

K

kuyawsadabaw

n00b
Joined
May 12, 2005
Messages
3
I'm planning on building a dedicated server PC for our home. Any recommendations?

Dual processor board is a plus (I'll probably just use one socket)
AMD Athlon 64 (Or can you recommend a better AMD chip for this purpose?)
2 GHz or greater
1 Gig of ram or more
Gigabit Ethernet
Small form-factor is a plus

I want two SATA drives in RAID. I really don't know much about how to configure this yet, but I know I want the data redundancy.

This machine is will be used mostly for serving Mp3s, MySQL, Sharing Photos, Backups, etc...
It will most likely be stowed away in a closet without a monitor (w/o mouse/keyboard if possible). Will be kept on as much as possible.
 
Since you will have this machine in a closet, and its just for home use, there is no reason to have a high performance beast (unless you just want it for lanparties).

For serving MYSQL, printers, Music, Movies and such, the machine will idle with high end hardware. You really just need it for fast Input/Output. That is why many servers at Dell and other manufacturers start at the celeron/low P4 level. Also since it will just be stowed in a closet, no need for it to generate unneccessary heat. The least heat generative, higher performance chip should be perfect.

All that being said, how much storage are you looking at. For me it would be all about redundancy as I don't want to loose my data, but maybe some mp3's could go by the wayside. So, how safe do you want the data? ANYWAY>>>

A good server for home usage and light game/Database serving would be.

Socket 754 Sempron 3100+ or mobile A64 (Or Socket 939 A64 Venice 3000+)
Soltek 3802A or equivelent Shuttle XPC (something with onboard video so no card)necessary
2 gigs of Corsair Value ram
2x300 gig Seagate 7200.8 SATA drives

Install OS of choice for this file sharing box. Get it all perfect and then stick it in the closet.
 
I'm spoiled by my dual proc machine at the moment. I have a dual Athlon MP 2600+ machine. I'm used to the speed of MySQL on this machine. But you're right.. I need high input/output, lots of ram, reliable storage. I'm actually putting it in our laundry room... a little bigger than a closet as I originally said.

How do you think the processors you mentioned measure up to my current setup?

From little tidbits I've read about RAID, I think I'm ok with two 300+ GB Hdrives. The main reason for the reliability is my photos. I backup them on DVD for extra measure, but there's still a fair amount of photos to be lost in between my DVD backup routine. What do you think? The second reason is I keep a fair amount of records in my MySQL database which aren't easy to backup/restore. The third reason is keeping backups. I would probably want to have all 4-6 computers backedup at regular intervals.

2 gigs of ram sounds fine.

I want a 64 bit processor to accomodate for later versions of Windows Server.

I probably should mention that this server will be serving 4 to 6 computers. (backups, mp3s, photos).

I'm probably going to access the server using a remoting software.
 
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