New build - 64 bit Server

sqllady · 10-26-2009, 03:47 PM

I want to build a 64-bit server for my home office without using a Server mobo. I just finished building a 64-bit desktop with a Gigabyte EP45-UD3R motherboard which is great.

Can anyone recommend or suggest a similar mobo that will go up to 16-gigs of ram? I am trying to keep within $1000 budget and my OS will be Windows 2008 Server, standard edition. thanks in advance.

Ayah · 10-26-2009, 04:33 PM

You could pick up an X58 board and latch on 24GB of memory (4GB sticks) or 12GB with 6 X 2GB sticks.

Ayah · 10-26-2009, 04:48 PM

Also, while you can fit 16GB on a P55, 4GB dimms alone will rape you in cost.

lopri · 10-26-2009, 05:56 PM

What is the server going to do?

NXIL · 10-26-2009, 10:55 PM

And: why NOT a server mobo? Lots of memory slots, ECC RAM, built for 24/7 operation, and, unless you go bargain basement, not much more expensive than a good quality desktop board.

And: uses? Load?

16GM of RAM: SQL server test bed?

Drives? i.e. how many, RAID, energy conserving versus speed.....

Lots of options--but $1K is a great budget to work with.

And: please don't let loose with a TOW or Tomahawk missile at me for saying this, but: Dell server, IBM/Lenovo server, HP server, pre-built TYAN/Supermicro server that will come with service and support? Sometimes the economies of scale Dell and such have make getting a server from them cheaper, even when it includes service. Maybe you don't need that for home use, but, looks like you are using this server as an educational test bed.

HTH

NX

sqllady · 10-27-2009, 05:30 PM

Thanks for your response. Since I am not familar with the X58, please give me the full name of this board. I am an IT consultant and play with all Microsoft stuff to keep me up to speed in there technologies. The server will be have the following software installed as a beginning: Windows 2008 Server; Sharepoint 2007; Ms Office 2007,
and VMWare for several virtual machines. This why I need a mobo with lots of ram.

sqllady · 10-27-2009, 05:33 PM

The server is for my use. Sql Server will be one of my applications. No raids, 2-hard drives (WD - 500 gigs each). Can you give me the
name of a good server mobo? I have heard they are expensive. As a former tech support person, I can support myself so I do not need Dell's high prices.

thanks in advance.

NXIL · 10-28-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Since I am not familar with the X58, please give me the full name of this board.

Hi sqllady,

X58 is the name of the chipset that goes with high end core i7 CPUs.

LOTS of X58 boards: triple channel memory (which doesn't make a huge difference, except in benchmarks, at least for now), high end, great Overclocking from what I read.....here are some of the boards available:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...8048%2CN82E16813138135

"Server" style X58s: yes, not a lot of difference....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2172%2CN82E16813182173

Any of these boards would be a solid foundation for what you are tying to build--but, not inexpensive, and I am not sure you need something so high end....

NX

sqllady · 11-02-2009, 03:51 PM

I'm glad the board is back up and running. After reading everyone's suggested I have
narrowed down my choice as follows:
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 Atx motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 65W dual-core processor
Gigabyte GV-R4350C-512I Radeon 64-bit Gddrf2 PCI Express 2.0x16
G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) 240-pin DDR2 Sdram DDR2 1066 (PC28500) dual channel kit desktop (2)
Cooler Master Silent Pro 600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W Atx12V power supply
Cooler Master Elite 330 RC ATX Mid Tower Case
LG DVD Burner Black SATA model (2)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB In ternal hard drive - Bare drive (2)

I think this will serve my needs and my budget and will run Windows 2008 Server very well.
Any additional ideas and/or comments are welcome.

thanks in advance

Absolution75 · 11-02-2009, 06:47 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that WD Drive 2x 250 platters? I'd get the WD 640 GB drive which has a higher platter density increasing performance.

Also, you can enable bitlocker on your windows server 2008 install (I run the same MB in my server :p).

sqllady · 11-03-2009, 08:48 AM

Has anyone installed Windows 2008 Server on a desktop motherboard? I noticed Gigabyte, Asus and other desktop mfgs do not support and therefore no drivers for 2008 server. They are for gamers only. I may have to go to an inexpensive Intel Server board.
I appreciate your comments.

thanks

Absolution75 · 11-03-2009, 11:47 AM

Vista drivers work on server 2008 fine.

sqllady · 11-03-2009, 04:12 PM

Absolution 75 - thanks for your reply. Since I have not done this before, when I purchase the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P I download 'ALL' the Vista drives and save to a file or burn to a cd/dvd, then install Windows 2008 server and thats it?

thanks in advance.

Emulex · 11-03-2009, 05:46 PM

use windows 2008 R2 it is essentially win7 and has a helluva lot more drivers built in.

btw i don't think either support unsigned vista drivers? maybe i'm wrong on 2008 but R2 does not like unsigned drivers so be careful what you try to install.

Absolution75 · 11-03-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqllady

Absolution 75 - thanks for your reply. Since I have not done this before, when I purchase the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P I download 'ALL' the Vista drives and save to a file or burn to a cd/dvd, then install Windows 2008 server and thats it?

thanks in advance.

The OS will install (and run) fine without any additional drivers. However, you won't probably have access to the internet and other optional hardware 'features'. What I do is just download the ethernet driver to a thumb drive, install the OS, run windows update, install whatever other driver needs to be installed (look for the ? marks in device manager).

sqllady · 11-06-2009, 05:41 PM

Absolution75 - How can I tell if the WD 500 is 2 x 250? I am now looking at the WD6401AALS, caviar Black Sata drive. Is the correct one?
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=551

Thanks for the info.

theevilsharpie · 11-06-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqllady

I want to build a 64-bit server for my home office without using a Server mobo.

Go with an AMD system. A lot of their desktop boards support ECC.

Absolution75 · 11-07-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqllady

Absolution75 - How can I tell if the WD 500 is 2 x 250? I am now looking at the WD6401AALS, caviar Black Sata drive. Is the correct one?
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=551

Thanks for the info.

Eh, I think you may have to look at reviews, as WD doesn't really advertise such a spec.

But that 640 drive is the one I was talking about.

VivienM · 11-08-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqllady

I'm glad the board is back up and running. After reading everyone's suggested I have
narrowed down my choice as follows:
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 Atx motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 65W dual-core processor
Gigabyte GV-R4350C-512I Radeon 64-bit Gddrf2 PCI Express 2.0x16
G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) 240-pin DDR2 Sdram DDR2 1066 (PC28500) dual channel kit desktop (2)
Cooler Master Silent Pro 600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W Atx12V power supply
Cooler Master Elite 330 RC ATX Mid Tower Case
LG DVD Burner Black SATA model (2)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB In ternal hard drive - Bare drive (2)

I think this will serve my needs and my budget and will run Windows 2008 Server very well.
Any additional ideas and/or comments are welcome.

thanks in advance

Why are you thinking about running discrete graphics?!? And overclocker RAM?

I'd suggest you get a solid, higher-end board with onboard graphics and GbE. Solid, stock voltage RAM.

My own server runs an Asus P5E-VM DO, IIRC. The one with the Q35 chipset. I assume they have a newer board now. It runs 2003 x64 fine (had a few issues with drivers that you probably wouldn't have with 2008/2008 R2)... I have an E8400, 6 gigs of cheap RAM that runs at stock voltage, and three HDs.

And why the 600W PSU? My server, with a couple HDs, draws something like 70W when idle. There's no way you need more than about 300W.