Looking to build a SOHO server

[narzy]

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Storage, Network share, Windows 2008 standard server for a small home office. Probably around 5 users max will ever be connected to it. Trying to build it to last 5 years if possible

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
425 - 550?

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
The USofA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
Intel
I've had good luck with Asus in the past but if there is something better I'm open for suggestions
Nvidia, although I like ATI just fine, I don't think there will be a need for dedicated graphics as this will be a mostly headless system
Corsair memory a must!
I've heard that WD is making the most reliable drives currently (could you please clarify this?) I've been about HD diversity (different drives from different MFG) to reduce failure potential
RAID 1!!!
NO DELL!
OR HP!



5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I have an ATX case, PSU DVD writer, 300gb hard drive (though if bigger and cheap I'll strongly consider moving to that.)

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
nope

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default, over clocking a business critical machine seems like a really bad idea.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

3-6 months, sooner if the price is right.

I built the low end from the system builders guide

Here is what I have

2x Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
ASUS P5Q SE/R
Intel Pentium E5200

 

[somethingsketchy]

Build idea looks good, but you can probably drop the processor model a little bit. Since it is a glorified file server, you won't need much processing power.

But that is completely up to you. Other than that it looks good. Just make sure you have gigabit ethernet and you're golden.

 

[narzy]

apparently that asus board does not have a graphics chipset, what would be the recommendation?

 

[somethingsketchy]

For a file server? I would temporary install a cheap (i.e. the cheapiest you can find) card like an 7000 series and use it for the installation of the OS and other programs. Then when you are done, you can uninstall or leave it in the box. It wouldn't take much power to run (and would be cheaper to run on electrical costs).

 

[narzy]

I put this in it

EVGA 128-P2-N428-LR GeForce 7200GS

 

[narzy]

its 421 bucks, is there any way that I might be able to drop the price a bit, or is the best that I am going to be able to do?

 

[dbcooper1]

Have you looked at the pre-built WHS boxes?

 

[California Roll]

Originally posted by: dbcooper1
Have you looked at the pre-built WHS boxes?

+1.

$400 will buy you a pre-built WHS:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2E16859321013&Tpk=h340

I'm not sure what type of functions the soho server is going to be a doing, but if it's simple backups and filesharing this is more than enough. If you're running your own Exchange Mail server, etc., this might not do.

A buddy of mine just got one for his 8 man office (WHS allows 10 clients per license). He was debating building and buying and chose to buy it. He loves it.

 

[somethingsketchy]

+1.

$400 will buy you a pre-built WHS:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2E16859321013&Tpk=h340

I'm not sure what type of functions the soho server is going to be a doing, but if it's simple backups and filesharing this is more than enough. If you're running your own Exchange Mail server, etc., this might not do.

A buddy of mine just got one for his 8 man office (WHS allows 10 clients per license). He was debating building and buying and chose to buy it. He loves it.

QFT for both dbcooper and California Roll. Not only that, but you can get a warranty for the hardware (which can be a make or break situation for some people). If you don't feel like doing your own tech support for this SOHO server, just go pre-built, get a nice warranty for it, and you'll be all set.

However if you feel like playing around with hardware and the WHS O.S., then by all means you can build one. You may save a little bit of money going pre-built.