desktop as server

ding5550123

Senior member
Jan 3, 2006
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I want to build a low power file server.

It would be used as file storage, office apps, and programming.

I wanted a server motherboard (around $150)

I would like ethernet with 100 Mbps (it's what my router supports)
( I have a lynksys compact wireless g router, It has 800 KB/S when only one computer is connected, and 50 KB/s when 2 or more are.) (i can get NIC's in town)

Open for ideas and comments

Budget is about $300

Thinking about a Xeon, but probibly will run a p4
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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You can run a server OS on any CPU and motherboard.

Most server apps (web, mail, database) are more hungry for RAM than CPU, and a file server doesn't use much of either. If you'll be running a Windows server OS then 1GB is a good idea.

A sempron or A64 will run cooler and use less power than a P4.
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
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I'd get a used OEM box, replace the HDD, maybe add some RAM, and go. Without RAID, you need nothing expensive, or even new, and a regular backup is probably better than RAID, too.

For instance, Retrobox has a PIII 933 minitower Dell server w/ 512MB RAM for around $100 shipped. Now just add a drive controller, NIC or two, HDDs big enough for you, and you're done. The drive controller and NIC(s) shouldn't be even $30. For slower CPUs, it gets even cheaper.

For brand new parts on the cheap, a Sempron-based PC is hard to beat. Just get a nice board, like maybe Biostar or Asus, with onboard video (if using Linux, make it a nVidia), give it 512MB or 1GB of RAM, a decent-sized HDD, and you're pretty much done. Optical drive(s), case, and PSU to taste.
 

ding5550123

Senior member
Jan 3, 2006
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I have a case and power supply

I guess i just need a hard drive and os (i have an old celeron, I've been trying to upgrade my Motherboard and hard drive at the same time becuase of microsofts usage agreement saying when u get a new mobo, u get a new distro of windows.)
 

ding5550123

Senior member
Jan 3, 2006
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Also,

I was wondering what OS You reccomend

Does a Server OS Have a GUI compatible with software (I.E. Games)(it won't be much gaming)

Also, this isn't a massive 400 GB server. it will be a file server for my LAN (so far 3 computers counting this one)

It will really be a medium power desktop, and a server on the side.

I want a server style board, but i don't need dual xeons (only one) (if i run xeon)
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
FYI, if you only need to share files you could use XP instead of a server OS. Just turn on file & printer sharing, create a folder like "ServerFolder" (or any other name), right-click on the folder and choose "sharing and security."
 

wetcat007

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2002
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Originally posted by: ding5550123
Also,

I was wondering what OS You reccomend

Does a Server OS Have a GUI compatible with software (I.E. Games)(it won't be much gaming)

Also, this isn't a massive 400 GB server. it will be a file server for my LAN (so far 3 computers counting this one)

It will really be a medium power desktop, and a server on the side.

I want a server style board, but i don't need dual xeons (only one) (if i run xeon)

Well basically you got a few options for an OS. Solaris, Unix, Linux, Windows. You could simply go with whatever you know most about, I put together a Ubuntu Linux server as a file server and used samba to share files. However if you don't know much about linux it could take a bit of reading to get setup.