mini itx, flex itx? tiny server computer and where?

[dejacky]

I want a server and as small as possible system for under $200 that can hold 2 IDE drives, 1 CDROM drive, and has USB, video, and preferably wireless lan and standard 10/100 lan, and audio in the slimest chassis. These will be runnin linux, so I don't need super powerful processors. 800mhz+ cpu's would be fine. Any recommend models or positive input would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.

-dejacky

 

[Optimist]

How small are you talking? The smaller, the more expensive. I've wanted to do this sort of project for a couple of years now and I can't do it cheap AND small. At the Micr-ATX case level, the case and power supply cost $50 and that still leaves questions about the quality of the PS AND room for only one IDE drive (unless you pitch the floppy). The board, processor, and memory may be the cheapest parts you buy here. A handful of used parts will certainly help out, but even then, it will be close on the $200. Of course smaller than a micro-atx is just impossible (new at least).

I'd be delighted to know I'm way wrong on this. Let me know, OK.

Optimist

 

[dejacky]

Those MicroATX motherboards w/one pci slot are the perfect size..don't need smaller than that. I'm just looking for a slim and sleek looking Matx case with computer inside that is NOT bulky looking and could be put side-side OR stacked in a custom server rack config. Thanks for your input Optimist, any SPECIFIC models and brand names? Thanks again.

-dejacky

 

[ericboo]

What about the Gbox 868 or the 968 (which I have)? I have two IDE drives, on DVD burner, 1 gig PC2700 and it is my primary machine.

The 868 only runs a 400mhz FSB but would be more power than you need and is available on AMSelectronics site for $179.

If you want to go really small, you would have to use notebook drives, spend more, and not necessarily get more.

 

[marcio]

I can't help you with the slim part, but I have been using a Shuttle SV24 as a server for about a year now. It takes 2 IDE drives--1 in the floppy drive slot. I also added a Linksys network card in the pci slot, so with the integrated Realtek, the server has two NICs. I don't know if a wireless PCI card would fit in there instead. The CPU is a VIA C3 866MHz passively cooled. I assume your $200 budget doesn't include the costs of the hard drives because just there, I spend $160 (80GB Barracudas). The rest cost about $250.

Since cost seems to be a major issue and I'm assuming you would be running this server 24/7, be careful with power hoggers like the one ericboo is suggesting. I did some calculations when I was building mine, and if I had gotten a P4-based Shuttle barebones at the time instead of the SV24 with the C3, I would spend $50 more in energy bills per year.

 

[dejacky]

The G-boxes and those shuttle pc's are too big and powerful. I need something more slim, and generally smaller in size, and preferably less powerful since that would make it cheaper.

-dejacky

 

[ericboo]

Once you get down to slim Epia powered machines, you end up spending more for less power. Asus Pundit might be for you, but doubt you will squeeze two drives in it.

 

[piasabird]

I dont think you can throw in wireless lan for under $200.00

Tyan makes a little P4 Flex-ATX for 119.00 you can barely buy a case for maybe $30.00 for an ultra cheap, MATX Case. It has integrated Intel Ext Graphics and comes either with sound and an ethernet port or with no sound and 2 ethernet ports. You have to add a Processor. Any cheap 400Mhz P4 or Celeron will do probably for what you want. You can not possibly buy hard drives for what you want in a price. Of course you need memory too.

Another route is to use a Via Mini-ITX board. The 800 Mhz EPIA V Motherboard has one floppy port and one IDE Port and is not too expansive. That way you only need Memory and a Case. There is also a 800Mhz EPIA that has no Floppy that can be a pain because it has no floppy for a boot disk. It is probably about the cheapest. I have one of these and it runs pretty fast using Win98. This motherboard has 2 PC133 slots for Memory. The memory is cheaper but slower.

Another route is an older Asus A7N266-VM Which is a Nforce motherboard and can use the older Athlons that are really Cheap. The motherboard is around $70.00 and is MATX. It uses PC2100 RAM.


You maybe could just cut up an old ATX Case if you can find one like I did. A small useless out of date MATX case can be a nice fit if it has a place for a fan. You can always just cut a round hole in the side and put a little 8CM fan in it and add a grill.

www.idot.com sells some interesting PC's I think they can make one that runs off a CDROM on Lindows.

 

[jronald]

Try this case

And any Micro-ATX board
The case is rugged as hell...very well built
Will hold 3 HDDS, 2 CDs and a floppy,
It is half the size of my stereo amp.
2 draw backs
It is White and Blue (not beige)
And the frt panel connections will
need to be cobbled together.
Runs a high end Celly perfect!

Ron

 

[jronald]

Opps left the link out

http://www.directron.com/acercase.html

Sorry
Ron

 

[dejacky]

I'm looking into those motherboard options, thanks! But, I'm having trouble finding a GOOD looking SLIM, non-bulky case. Any case recommendations?

 

[dejacky]

bump

 

[dejacky]

what about an amd based server. It seems it would be cheaper no?

 

[RedRonin]

Making It Small ~*AND*~ Cheap...?

There are some nice Yeong Yang Micro ATX cases in the Tiny Tower (YY-A101 through YY-A107) line, but they are kind of hard to find at reasonable prices. The YY-A106 is available at Directron for $61.99 if you are interested.

I also like the Casetek Micro ATX cases, also called Tiny Tower (CK-1007 series). A few of them are offered by Enermax as the CS-10073 series. You can find those cases at Directron too, right HERE for $52.00 US.

Similar to the above options is the PSI Wizard PS-168, available for only $39.99 at Directron. Also of similar construction is the ever popular In-Win IW-L545P, $42.00 also at Directron.

Two designs that are kind of fun are the XMachine cases by Strata and the Enlight EN-7396. Both are slim and stylish, but there may be airflow concerns.

If price were no object, most would recommend the Cooler Master line of Micro ATX cases. They tend to be much more expensive than the rest. However they are very well constructed and are simply beautiful to behold. They can be found at both NewEgg and Directron.

As for a cheap motherboard, I recommend the Biostar M7VIG Pro to most who need "integrated everything" at a low price. Processor? These days I'd say a friendly neighborhood AMD Athlon XP 1700+ [/i](with a Speeze cooler/fan)[/i] is cheap enough, unless you know someone willing to part with sub-GHz processors by the dozen. You can save $10-12 bucks a part by getting a 1.2 or 1.3 GHz Duron instead. Memory depends upon your personal taste, but the M7VIG Pro accepts both PC133 or DDR266. Drives? Skip the floppy altogether, I say. You really wanna go thin, it's gonna cost you. CD-ROM or CD-RW drives for slim cases usually cost over $100 by themselves and are SLOW... Notebook hard drives are more expensive per megabyte than their regular IDE counterparts too, though you can fit more inside a case. All told, it will be very hard to get what you want under $200, without getting stuff that "fell off a truck" via five finger discount. $300 each is more likely.

Unta Glebin Gloutin Globin,

Red Ronin, The Cybernetic Samurai

 

[dejacky]

RedRonin, THANKS! I'm looking into those now and trying to price a system under $200. I let you all know what the specs are if I can do it.

-dejacky

 

[dejacky]

Okay,
I've narrowed down the specifications and need to purchase VERY soon. These will be used for beta testing new, but crucial software. Several identical systems will be purchased. And it must be MINI-ITX not micro-itx

1. Must be wireless 802.1B compliant
2. More powerful or equivalent to Pentium 400mhz system
3. 128MB of ram
4. Smallest ATA hard drive (10GB plenty)
5. CD-Rom drive
6. Looks stylish and sleek
7. Total cost = $200.00 max

Any other suggestions would be great!


-dejacky