File Server: how fast?

[deerslayer]

I want to set up a file server in my basement which will also play MP3's through my surround sound. Right now, it's a p133 w/ 16mb of ram and it's not working very well. The songs jitter when i play them over the network because the songs are all on my primary computer and i don't think the p133 has enough ram for it's task.

What type/speed/brand of processor and mobo would you suggest i get to upgrade. I don't want to spend a lot money because the most i'll do on this computer is read files over the network, surf the internet, and play mp3s. Any suggestions welcome. I'm looking to spend around 350 on a motherboard, processor, ram, and possibly a new power supply. Thanks for any suggestions

 

[John]

XP1600+
K7S5A
256MB PC2100
300w AMD approves psu
40GB HDD

 

[deerslayer]

XP1600+
K7S5A
256MB PC2100
300w AMD approves psu
40GB HDD

If i do that, i can use the 1ghz tbird and my kk266r mobo for the file server and use the xp1600+ and K7S5A for my primary puter. I don't think i have enough $$$ for that though, thanks for the reply, i'll look into it.

 

[John]

I added in a 40GB hdd that you did not request.

Check the FS/T forum for some of the items and you should be able to meet your budget with the items I listed. Newegg.com will be slightly more than your budget w/ shipping charges.

 

[deerslayer]

i have 2 40 gig maxtors right now, i plan on using one of them in the file server.

i checked pricegrabber and found the mobo for about 60 bucks shipped. is the K7S5A the one that everyone always talks about being junk? i can't remember the name of it.

 

[Pariah]

For a file server, and a lowlevel one at that, you don't need any CPU power. Get a dirt cheap Duron 800 from Newegg for $35. Even that would be overkill. ECS K7S5A for $52, 256MB DDR $85, Antec 300W PS for $40. Total cost about $220 plus shipping from Newegg.

 

[John]

Yes, the K7S5a got a good rap when it came out, and then people started complaining about it. However, for the price it is hard to beat. I have used a lot of them in builds, and rarely have any problems. For a few dollars more you could get a KT266a motherboard should you wish to go that route. since you do not need HDD space, my recommendation for parts will be way under your budget.

Pariah brings up a good point. However, if you want to put the new parts in your PC the combo I mentioned will be worthwhile.

 

[jonmcc33]

MSI K7N420 Pro Motherboard - $149
AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (1.4GHz) OEM - $117
Thermaltake Volcano 7 HSF - $31
2x128MB PC2100 Crucial DDR RAM - $88

Total - $385

From NewEgg.com

The nForce motherboard has EVERYTHING integrated, you can put the first 128MB DIMM in the first bank and the other 128MB DIMM in the third bank to have 128-bit twinbank memory mode. It will increase memory bandwidth.

http://www.amdworld.co.uk/nfmemory.htm

 

[deerslayer]

I was thinking along the duron lines for a processor, but i wasn't sure what motherboard i would need. I really don't need anything fancy at all. Maybe at most i MIGHT play some lan games on it, but most likely not. Would the ECS K7S5A mobo be reliable enough to run with my 1ghz tbird? Right now i have PC133 ram on my IWILL kk266-r mobo. I have been thinking about upgrading my computer for a while. Should i just wait untill i do that and then use my tbird in the file server? Thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated

 

[Pariah]

I'd probably say just wait if you're not in that much of a hurry and you want to upgrade your main system soon. Wait for the release of the T-bred so you don't end up buying 2 new systems.

 

[circut16]

For a file server all you need is a Duron and 128mg or more and a 3Com NIC

 

[deerslayer]

how bout a belkin nic, i can get one for 10 bucks

i think i am going to wait. i want to get an XP processor, or wait till this summer when i have more $$$ and maybe there will be something even faster out. thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

[dj4005]

Since everyone else has pretty much got the hardware end of things covered, I'll leave that to them.

One comment, though. You might want to try different software for playing the MP3s. I've noticed that WinAmp does MUCH better at bufferring music than the Windows Media player on networks and resource starved systems.

You might just be trying to justify more hardware, and there's nothing wrong with that. But look at the software side of things for a moment before you break the bank.

 

[Sunner]

I'd say get the cheapest comp you can get your hands on.

Fileservers don't require much CPU/RAM unless it's getting hit pretty heavially.

64 MB RAM or more, and P-MMX+ should do just fine, just make sure to have a decent NIC, and preferably decent disk(s).

 

[BreakApart]

Your 166 is just fine, however playing the mp3s it's being starved with only 16mb RAM. If you can find more RAM-(at least 64mb) from a friend or such cheap add it and it should be fine.

Otherwise fileservers need very little cpu power, the only power you need is when playing the mp3s on that system. Now memory on the otherhand is VERY important in fileservers.

Pentium 200, 64-128mb is more than enough for what your planning.

 

[thorin]

"XP1600+
K7S5A
256MB PC2100
300w AMD approves psu
40GB HDD "

"MSI K7N420 Pro Motherboard - $149
AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (1.4GHz) OEM - $117
Thermaltake Volcano 7 HSF - $31
2x128MB PC2100 Crucial DDR RAM - $88"

OMG, why does he need a 1600+ for serving files? And why does he need 256MB RAM?

"For a file server, and a lowlevel one at that, you don't need any CPU power. Get a dirt cheap Duron 800 from Newegg for $35. Even that would be overkill. ECS K7S5A for $52, 256MB DDR $85, Antec 300W PS for $40. Total cost about $220 plus shipping from Newegg. "

Exactly.

He's serving MP3s to a few other systems in his house. What he needs is a little CPU (maybe a P2 200), a good NIC (and hub/switch/router) and a fast HD or two (if you're going to serve more then 1 file at a time).

Thorin

 

[RyDogg1]

I agree with not needing a lot of CPU power. If you check my Rigs, I use Pack Bell machine as my file server, not much power behind that machine and the thing works great!

Ryan

 

[Superwormy]

Go buy a cheapy P200 from your local computer shop, cost ya 100 bucks, then just buy a 20gb hard drive for it, you'll be all set, oh, and a 10 dolla NIC too.

 

[dbwillis]

Biostar M7VKQ and a cheap Duron/Athlon/T Bird and like 256mb of ram.

That board has onboard Lan, video, sound and ata100 for $52
Im using the 'Intel' version (M6VLQ) and a Celly 1.0a for my server, its great.

 

[sharkeeper]

Depending on the OS, more ram will help by allowing for a very large disk cache. If you are doing internal DNS, directories, SQL and the like 512MB of RAM would be the minimum. More is always better. You can get a real server cpu like a 500 MHz 1MB Xeon for peanuts nowadays too.

Make sure you have your server on a UPS!!!

Cheers!

 

[brinstar117]

My fileserver is in my rig link.

It's "just" a Pentium 233 with 256MB of ram (it actually ran perfectly with 128MB but I had an extra stick laying around).

I stream movies, mp3's, isos, and patches from it. I usually have 3 computers actively accessing it and it does the job fine. This is just a small local network thing. No need for excessive power. I chose a P1 since I had spare parts and so that I could use passive cooling. It's such a nice workhorse of a computer, and it's really quiet too!