Home Server Build Question

[Splotto]

Hello:

I am thinking of upgrading my home server. Not a heavy load. Serving files; email server for a few users, etc.

I am lucky enough to have access to 2 Xeon processors that go along with this motherboard:

http://www.intel.com/support/m...ards/server/se7505vb2/

I am not sure which 2 CPU's they are, but from what I remember and from this list:

http://www.intel.com/support/m...05vb2/sb/cs-007383.htm

I know they are 533 mhz clock cpu's with 1 MB cache.

The problem is that the motherboard is dead. However, the 4 GB of ram is fine.

So my question is this:

-Do I buy a new motherboard just like this one so that I can use these, from what I recall, powerful Xeon's? Or are they so outdated that I would do better just buying a current standard CPU (quad core, dual core) and a standard desktop motherboard?

Given that I would expect to pay $300-$400 for a compatible motherboard the build from new will only be a few hundred more.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
Splotto

 

[waffleironhead]

It looks like this mobo will work with the ram and cpu's that you have. 140 doesnt seem too bad for a working server.

 

[robmurphy]

From a very quick look at the processors they are early P4 based Xeons. This means they will use a great deal of power, and between them be less powerfull than a low spec Core 2 duo CPU, or a Xeon of the same line.

If the home server only has a light load why does it need 4 Gig of ram?

The HP EX475 MediaSmart Server comes with 512 Meg memory and a 3400 Sempron CPU. That will do far more than what you have mentioned. If you want something more than the EX475 there are several HP proliant servers you could consider. In the UK the proliant ML110 G4 is available for ?170. This comes with the Xeon 3040 CPU. You can also get the ML110 G5 for about ?230 with more memory, the Xeon 3065 CPU, and a DVD RW DL instead of a DVD reader. The CPU in each model is dual core and based on the Core 2 Duo. Check the HP site for details. I do not know the prices in the US.

You will also need to consider the OS. The HP Proliant servers are supplied without an OS. You did not mention what OS the old home server you have is running.

Rob.

 

[Splotto]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
It looks like this mobo will work with the ram and cpu's that you have. 140 doesnt seem too bad for a working server.

That certainly is cheap.

I have received similar comments about the power consumption as I received here.

I also didn't add that I am running a P3 3.2 Ghz cpu now so the Xeons may not be such a big upgrade.

Splotto

 

[Splotto]

Originally posted by: robmurphy
From a very quick look at the processors they are early P4 based Xeons. This means they will use a great deal of power, and between them be less powerfull than a low spec Core 2 duo CPU, or a Xeon of the same line.

If the home server only has a light load why does it need 4 Gig of ram?

The HP EX475 MediaSmart Server comes with 512 Meg memory and a 3400 Sempron CPU. That will do far more than what you have mentioned. If you want something more than the EX475 there are several HP proliant servers you could consider. In the UK the proliant ML110 G4 is available for ?170. This comes with the Xeon 3040 CPU. You can also get the ML110 G5 for about ?230 with more memory, the Xeon 3065 CPU, and a DVD RW DL instead of a DVD reader. The CPU in each model is dual core and based on the Core 2 Duo. Check the HP site for details. I do not know the prices in the US.

You will also need to consider the OS. The HP Proliant servers are supplied without an OS. You did not mention what OS the old home server you have is running.

Rob.

Rob:

Your comments about power were echoed on another forum. Thanks.

Of course the home server doesn NEED 4 gigs. That is just whats on the dead Mobo. It's working fine.

The home server is running Windows Server 2003. I was also considering looking into other OS options but I am barely proficient with Windows Server let along anything else.

Splotto

 

[nerp]

WHS has shockingly low system requirements and would run just fine on a low power setup. If you plan on doing more with the server than just the WHS functions, more power might help. But it's not recommended to do too much crazy stuff with a WHS box since it might interfere with Drive Extender.. You're even told not to run the defragger since it's not DE aware. Using the WHS box to act as a print server is perfectly fine but avoid doing too much crazy and resource heavy serving tasks on it.