Looking to build a very low powered mini server...

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phios

Member
Mar 14, 2004
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Hey all,

Right now I have a Tower, Dual AMD SCSI Raid 5, massive server running my 2 tiny little home websites. I don't want to use it anymore because it sucks up a bunch of electricity and it sounds like a jet plane is running in my office. I want to get some SFF computer that has enough umpff to run two small websites. Quieter and lower power the better. Any ideas?

Phios
 
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wisdomtooth

Golden Member
Dec 21, 2004
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The thing with SFF machines is that you are very limited in what you can put in there. Most cube-type SFF cases like the Shuttles, Antec Aria, etc. have room for only one optical drive and one HD. Not sure if that will be enough for your server. SFF cases are also limited in PCI/AGP slots available-- Some has as little as two.. Most likely you will have to go with a MicroATX motherboard if you don't buy a barebones SFF.

Post the specs you need... And we'll see if there exists an mATX mobo or SFF barebones that can fit yoru situation.
 
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phios

Member
Mar 14, 2004
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Well, I don't think I'll need SCSI, so perhapes just a single SATA Raptor drive should do. Graphics/sound/network can all be built it, none of it matters. The ability to run a simple raid setup might be nice if I want to increase the reliability in the future. I'll be running CFMX server, Windows 2000 Server and SQL 2000 server on the same machine, so I'll need at least 1 Gig of ram and a decently fast processor (also might be running a mail server on it in the future, who knows?? )

I know it isn't recommended to run all those processes on the same system, but honestly not alot of people will be hitting these sites, so I don't think it should be a problem. My largest requirement for this server is that it be quiet and not draw alot of power.

Phios
 
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wisdomtooth

Golden Member
Dec 21, 2004
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to Phios:

As whorush mentions with the arstechnica thread, that Iwill dual Opteron cube might fit the bill for your server. The only thing is it will draw a lot of power (relatively, being two CPUs and all) and will be a bit noisy.

If you want to go with a more modest setup (quieter and draw less power), then you can get a single-CPU barebones like the Shuttle XPCs.

Or... You can build your own cube. Pick up a case like the Antec Aria, get a microATX motherboard like this one if you want to go Athlon64 or this one if you want P4, and then throw in your choice of HD and optical drive.

Or if you are really adamnant about low noise and power draw, you can put together a compact HTPC/media server-style box with the fastest Dothan Pentium-M CPU you can get, put it on thisboard, and put it all in a nice TINY slimline case like the Silverstone LC02 or -04. This route will be quite expensive however.

HTH!
 
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arcas

Platinum Member
Apr 10, 2001
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I recall reading a year or two ago about a PowerPC-based microcube. It was a cube that would fit in the palm of your hand and "stood" on 4 small legs. Built-in ethernet, etc. Might be sufficient to run a couple small websites. I toyed with the idea of buying one to stick on the fireplace mantle as a conversation piece. Can't remember where I saw them now.

 
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wisdomtooth

Golden Member
Dec 21, 2004
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Originally posted by: SLCentral
How about a Mac Mini?
Click to expand...
Doesn't sound like a viable option, considering what the OP wanted to do:

Originally posted by: phios
I'll be running CFMX server, Windows 2000 Server and SQL 2000 server on the same machine, so I'll need at least 1 Gig of ram and a decently fast processor (also might be running a mail server on it in the future, who knows?? )
Click to expand...
 
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SLCentral

Diamond Member
Feb 13, 2003
3,542
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Originally posted by: wisdomtooth
Originally posted by: SLCentral
How about a Mac Mini?
Click to expand...
Doesn't sound like a viable option, considering what the OP wanted to do:

Originally posted by: phios
I'll be running CFMX server, Windows 2000 Server and SQL 2000 server on the same machine, so I'll need at least 1 Gig of ram and a decently fast processor (also might be running a mail server on it in the future, who knows?? )
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

My bad, didn't see that post.
 
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whorush

Member
Oct 16, 2004
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yeah you might not need 2 opterons. that might be overkill. however, if you do want them, you can get low power versions. i think they are called the HE or the EE, but you will pay for them.

if you can, i think wisdomtooth had some good recs. i'd use an A64 3000 or 3500 winchester, the 90nm version. they seem to run pretty cool and dont suck too much power.
 
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piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
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Here is an interesting website that shows you what a small Mini-ITX Server might look like if you used a Via EPIA motherboard:

http://www.leslisworld.net/danshowtoguide/miniitx.htm

Since the board comes with the Processor and integrated video and audio there is not need for anything but the case, the MB and 1 or 2 drives. I have seen some P4 Mini-ITX cases, but that would defeat the purpose of making it low-power.
 
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phios

Member
Mar 14, 2004
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Hey, thanks for all the responses guys! I like the idea of a the Via EPIA and the dothan. You're right about not needing the dually, I have that now and know that it is an overkill for my situation. I'll do some research tonight on the links that you've all provided and see if I have any questions.

Phios
 
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phios

Member
Mar 14, 2004
147
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I'm not certain that the VIA system will be fast enough to support this system, nor does it have SATA (although I could use that 1 PCI slot for that). The Dothlan system looks good, but very expensive. I guess that leaves me with the microATX + Athlon 64. That looks fairly inexpensive, somewhat quiet and shouldn't be too power hungry with a single processor/HD. Does anyone know if the VIA system comes in any faster flavor or with SATA built in?

Phios
 
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wisdomtooth

Golden Member
Dec 21, 2004
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Unfortunately, none of the VIA EPIA mini-ITX boards have SATA. VIA's embedded products division

I would go with either the A64 or the Dothan. The A64 does look like a good compromise between quietness/low power and performance. The Dothan is if you want no compromises (but at a price).

Post back here and let us know which way you are heading! Luck!
 
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charlied

Junior Member
Feb 23, 2005
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If you're thinking SFF, you might want to look into the Biostar and Soltek barebones systems. The Biostar IDEQ 210p and Soltek 3801 series both support 2 hard drives (IDE or SATA), and are Athlon 64 socket 754 boxes. The Soltek has a 300 watt power supply vs. the 250 watt supply on the Biostar. Check the Anandtech review on the Biostar 210p. Both have just one PCI slot and an AGP 8X slot, and both have onboard gigiabit LAN.
 
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nyarrgh

Member
Jan 6, 2001
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I ran a small server at home up until 2 months ago when I moved. It did have 1.25 Gig memory, but no Sata drive :) I only had a 60G travelstar. I was using a notebook :)


Edit: I was using an emachines m6811 with an AMD64 3400, but I added 1 G ram I got off the hot dealls forum, and a travelstar to replace the extremely slow 4800rpm drive it came with.
 
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phios

Member
Mar 14, 2004
147
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Ok, well it's going to be a 754 pin A64 system. I want to use that because I have a lot of DDR that I have sitting around the house and why waste it?? Now it's time to compare the different SFF boards that can run one.

Thanks for all the help peps :)

Phios
 
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wisdomtooth

Golden Member
Dec 21, 2004
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Phios,

Socket 939 A64 boards use DDR as well. That one I linked to earlier takes regular DDR DIMMs.

The only widespread use of DDR2 would be Pentium-4 LGA775 systems... Definitely not a good candidate for SFF systems because they put out way too much heat. :p
 
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whorush

Member
Oct 16, 2004
132
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754 is single channel and 939 is double channel. if you have a lot of sticks around, 939 would be a better deal since you'd be able to use both channels.

think about it.

the 939 is pretty cheap and a great OCer.
 
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phios

Member
Mar 14, 2004
147
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Thanks Pingspike!!! That is very close to what I'm looking for. Even though it is only an 800 Mhz processor, I think it'll work out just fine since the server won't be getting hit very hard. It looks low powered enough to not be a energy monster, yet powerful enough to get what I need done.

Thanks again!

Phios
 
PingSpike

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
21,758
603
126
phios: Be aware, the via c3 isn't a very fast processor. At 800mhz its going to about the same as a 450mhz celeron.

But, for most small home server applications its really probably more important to have a fast storage system and enough memory than tons of processing power.
 
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whorush

Member
Oct 16, 2004
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PingSpike

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
21,758
603
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That looks cool whorush...but I can't seem to find any of those for sale on pricewatch or pricegrabber. Any idea where I can get one...or get an idea about what they cost?
 
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