Building a new Linux system

[yakkowarner]

I'm putting together a system to use mainly as a server and need to be pretty cost-conscious. I think I'm pretty well spec'ed out but am not sure about all of the following parts under Linux.
(Also, I am *not* planning to overclock, so people recommending higher-speed memory better be able to explain how it will be useful at standard processor & bus speeds.)
[*]Processor: AMD Athlon XP 1800+ (Thoroughbred)
[*]Motherboard: ABIT AT7
[*]Memory: (2x) Mushkin 512 High Perf PC2100
[*]HSF: Thermalright AX7 w/ Sunon 50.2CFM fan
[*]Case: Antec Perfomance Plus 1080AMG, inc. 430W ps & fans
[*]HDD: Western Digital 1200JB (really wanted SCSI, but just can't put the $1000+ into a SCSI subsystem now when whole machine should be about that much; maybe next year)
[*]CD-RW: Lite On LTR-48125W (48x12x48)
[*]DVD: (unknown)
[*]sound: on-board
[*]video: on-board (I don't need 3D acceleration - remember: server, not gaming)
[*]monitor: (some inexpensive LCD I'll find later)

Any thoughts?

 

[IanthePez]

If it's a server why would you need dvd player at all? I can understand the burner for backups and whatnot, but a dvd player?

 

[amdskip]

Why such a fast processor for a server?

 

[yakkowarner]

Originally posted by: IanthePez
If it's a server why would you need dvd player at all? I can understand the burner for backups and whatnot, but a dvd player?

Perhaps I don't need a DVD at all. One thought (please don't laugh): I don't have any DVD drive now (in any system -- it's been a while), and they can be useful things to have around ... possibly for software on DVD? Maybe not.

Originally posted by: amdskip
Why such a fast processor for a server?

Interesting. I expected to get some questions on why not a faster processor. Processor speed is useful for everything, no? Esp. generating dynamic content. Going along with the budget constraint, this is the one machine for doing n tiers right now, so while it's accessing databases it'll also be processing app logic. I know processor speed isn't the main constraint here, but XP 1800+ seems like clearly best price/performance point right now, just a few bucks more than the next couple speeds down.

 

[ST4RCUTTER]

Two more questions on the processor:

1. Why such a huge HSF for a 1.5v Tbred? It should dissipate something in the neighborhood of ~50 watts at max power consumption. That's much less
than today's Athlons.

2. Where are you going to buy an 1800+ Tbred? I haven't found one reseller offering Tbreds under 2200+

 

[dowxp]

Hm, I'd get a 1.8A and a Intel mobo with onboard Vid\LAN; otherwise, 1600+ is enough. Retail HSF in both cases since you arent overclocking. and on your basis of no need for fast ram, might as well and save and get some used 512 2100 sticks off the fs/t forum. a regular 330W case would do and a dvd drive isnt really needed on a server. maybe with the money you saved there, you can go scsi 10k ii or iii

 

[yakkowarner]

Two reasons for the HSF choice:

1. It was praised on these forums where something like it seemed to be deemed necessary. As HSF choices go, the AX7 seemed favored for its combination of relative quiet and reliable cooling. It's nice now to get some responses geared towards non-overclocking, since there doesn't seem to be a hardware site out there that doesn't assume users want to overclock to the max.

1. I haven't found a retail Thoroughbred 1800+. I know there's a slight price premium for the Thoroughbred, in the neighborhood of $30, but this is not so significant overall and is something I'm willing to pay for the smaller, cooler chip.

Sites where I've found the (OEM) Thoroughbred 1800+: PCHardware4U, Compubuzz (though the latter is down at the moment, so I can't confirm)

 

[yakkowarner]

Two Atlas 10k III Ultra160 73gb drives (or Cheetah 10k or similar -- and these are the cheapest for the size) are about $1100. Add another couple hundred bucks for a good SCSI/RAID adapter. Subtract the $170 the WD1200JB will cost me.
Unfortunately, getting comparable SCSI storage space costs orders of magnitude more than the amount I save by getting used RAM & cheaper case/ps (and losing the $50 DVD).

Also, in terms of reliability, I'd much rather get new RAM (w/ built-in heat spreader) than save a few bucks on it. Similarly with case: for both ease of building and reliability, I like the case with built-in fans and included power supply w/ power to spare.

I don't mean to sound unappreciative of your comments, Bangsailio. I am enjoying the responses -- just explaining my reasons for some choices.

 

[zzzz]

Also the AT7 comes with all the usb-2 and firewire ports and raid ports. In a server, I dont think the usb-2 and firewire ports willl have much use. The ATa-raid might, but you are using only one HD. It will be cheaper to get a "normal" board.