Build of buy a server?

[Granorense]

I have about 10 users who will do small tasks like fax, save and open files nothig else. I could buy a cheap Dell PowerEdge server for about $400 or build my own for about the same price with a Pentium 4 processor.

The question is: Why would I buy it if I could build it?

Any advise will be appreciated!

 

[vi edit]

Buy. If it breaks down it's Dell's fault not yours. If you value your rep and your job, buy. Do not build.

 

[Hoober]

Buy. The support contract alone makes it worth it.

 

[Granorense]

Thank you guys for your help. I will take your advise.

 

[cparker]

Check this link:
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/sc?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

It looks like they are giving a 270 dollar discount until 3/16/05 on the 499 dollar poweredge "starter" server. You get it for 230 bucks. I normally would say "build" but at the price I would add to the chorus of "buy".

 

[ktwebb]

There is no reason to build a server and hasn't been for a couple of years. You cannot build a server, workstation either for that matter, for what you can get direct. Add the service contract on top of that. Used to be a harder choice but it's a no brainer now, regardless of rebate deals. It's foolish to build a server.

 

[imported_itr]

definitely buy it. do not build it yourself, if you do, you will be responsible for anything that fails.

i am assuming you will be running an active directory with 10 users. a simple p4 server will do the job.

 

[imported_itr]

Originally posted by: ktwebb
There is no reason to build a server and hasn't been for a couple of years. You cannot build a server, workstation either for that matter, for what you can get direct. Add the service contract on top of that. Used to be a harder choice but it's a no brainer now, regardless of rebate deals. It's foolish to build a server.

building your own servers do not include home servers though.

 

[cparker]

If you are working for an organization and you want to minimize both the cost to the organization and your responsibility for the hardware, then buying is the way to do it. But if you love building and customizing, if you hate dealing with "support" people who may not give you much in the way of support, well then building (or at least customizing a bare bones box) makes a lot of sense, even if it costs more. It's who you are and the situation you find yourself in. In your case, it seems that buying is a clear choice. But maybe it isn't as you posed the question about building knowing that the costs were approximately equal.

 

[JackMDS]

In the past we used to self build in order to save money.

Right now there is No save any more. The BBB here is full with people that build but the Goals are variety of Hobbyist Stick. Like Water cooling OverClocking, Video frames pushing, Big business about Firewire, SATA, PATA, and Coney Island Light show in side the case.:Q

All of the above not only that it is not necessary for a Server but actually might jeopardize the Health of the Network.

I.e. No point to self Build.:thumbsdown:

:sun:

 

[Granorense]

Originally posted by: cparker
Check this link:
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/sc?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

It looks like they are giving a 270 dollar discount until 3/16/05 on the 499 dollar poweredge "starter" server. You get it for 230 bucks. I normally would say "build" but at the price I would add to the chorus of "buy".

I used that to buy a Poweredge SC420, upgrated to P4 2.8 and 512 MB of DDR2. Final price was $432 I think + tax and free shipping. Basic 1 year warranty though.

 

[phisrow]

Not that I'm saying anything new at this point; but I'm shocked how cheap servers can be these days. A dual Xenon 2.8ghz box with 2x512 DDR2, 80 gig drive and dual GBe for $850. I'm sorely tempted and I don't even need one.

 

[cparker]

I used that to buy a Poweredge SC420, upgrated to P4 2.8 and 512 MB of DDR2. Final price was $432 I think + tax and free shipping. Basic 1 year warranty though.

Amazing! Great deal.

 

[WiseOldDude]

I have 4 of those 'cheap' Dell servers, and they are great machines. Quality casework, whisper quiet, and all have been rock solid performers. I can't build a pc this nice for the price and with a years warrenty.

price range for mine is from $229 to $333, Dell often has 'free' upgrades to 2.8 HT P4's, or double RAM, or free or really really cheap upgrade to 160GB SATA drive

 

[DnetMHZ]

Buy, the days of the Beige box "server" are over in my opinion.

 

[futuristicmonkey]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
In the past we used to self build in order to save money.

Right now there is No save any more. The BBB here is full with people that build but the Goals are variety of Hobbyist Stick. Like Water cooling OverClocking, Video frames pushing, Big business about Firewire, SATA, PATA, and Coney Island Light show in side the case.:Q

All of the above not only that it is not necessary for a Server but actually might jeopardize the Health of the Network.

I.e. No point to self Build.:thumbsdown:

:sun:

What in the....

 

[imported_nikeair]

Definitely buy, just installed a new HP DL140 at work, supporting eventually 100-150 thin client users. Dual 2.8ghz xeon, 4gb ECC mem, dual 74g HDs in raid 1, with 3 year 24x7 4 hour response for only $3800 shipped and tax. Probably not what you would need....but knowing your server is supported and I can have any part replaced within 4 hours is great for our dept. We've actually already used the support, shortly after installing the server started rebooting every 2 hours, red light on the front and red lights on the mobo, called support and they directed me to the event log in the bios to find out it was a bad stick of memory, got it replaced in 4 hours and all is well. Trust me its worth it. The first time you have a HD go bad you'll be thankful for the coverage.

 

[skyking]

buy.
Thanks for the link, just ordered a couple of the $229 deals!