Advice for $700 range - VM / 64bit Home Server machine

[whodatrd]

I see a lot of recommendations for mid-range gaming rigs, I'd like to get some help building a nice mid-range home server. My answers to the questions:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for: 64bit VM machine used for VMWare / Microsoft server technology. Would like 8GB ram with ability to move to 16GB over time. I'm looking for as much performance in VM as possible and just on board video is fine.

2. What YOUR budget is: $500 - $900

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from: US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference: No prefs, would like to lean towards easy to setup (I haven't really built a computer since the old days).

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are: None

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads: read a couple, nothing hit home

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds: No plans for overclock

8. WHEN do you plan to build it: This month


Need recommendations for everything, including:

Power supply
Case (Something with nice expandability, ease of use, not too large, nothing too flashy)
Motherboard (with onboard video)
CPU (Thinking multiple cores?)
Heatsink/fan for the CPU (Do I need something extra than on board?)
Memory (DDR2 or DDR3?)
Raid Controller (Would like some failover protection?)
Anything else I'm forgetting


Thanks in advance!

 

[Pantlegz]

I know most servers use onboard video but I've noticed that doing the same thing on servers, with w2k3 and VM server 2.0, that dedicated video cards help. I don't know if it's the free'd up RAM or the extra cpu cycles but it does seem a good deal faster even with a cheap $50 pci-e card. I've had no problems with my e8400 or similar C2D's I use at school for servers and there is no need for extra cooling. If you're going with a C2D DDR2 would your only option and it's still cheaper than DDR3 while still as good on C2D's. not so sure about the mobo selection with 8-16gb typically I use motherboards with 4 slots so they're maxed at 8gb. along those same lines I've always used on-board raid controllers maybe someone else can chime in where I'm lacking 🙂 case and psu pretty anything from a reputable manufacturer would work, 400w would be more than enough.

 

[whodatrd]

Maybe I can spur the conversation with an initial build list. My buddy is spec'ing out the same system and came up with this from newegg. Does anyone disagree with these specs or can recommend better bang for the buck:

1 x ($139.99) CPU AMD|PH II X3 720 BK AM3 2.8G RT - Retail
$139.99

1 x ($119.99) CASE ANTEC|SONATA III 500 BK RT - Retail
$119.99

1 x ($104.99) MB BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M RT - Retail
$104.99

2 x ($83.99) MEM 4G|KST KVR667D2D4P5/4G R - Retail
$167.98

2 x ($74.99) HD 640G|WD WD6401AALS % - OEM
$149.98

Pantlegz1, interesting comment about the onboard video... hadn't considered the impact to vm. Anyone else have any comments on the case, board, chips, or memory?

 

[brblx]

cannot fault the proc choice. some might recommend a gigabyte or asus mobo, personally i've had no issues with biostar. case and PSU should be fine (i'm assuming that case comes with a 500w psu?). memory is way too expensive. even with ECC you can get 8GB for $100.

if you wanna save some money-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.193753
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820148115

there's also a combo on that cpu and mobo-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.190738

 

[whodatrd]

Nice catch on that combo deal. The reason the memory is so high is because it is one stick, which I guess is probably work it so that I can have 2 slots open to expand to 16gb if I need later.

 

[whodatrd]

I notice there are some Asus and Gigabyte mobo combos for similar pricing on newegg (with and without on board video) some that support AM3. Anyone feel passionate about which mobo is best for my application?