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NAS or Server?

Z

zzglenn

Member
Hello,

I currently have a home network of 2 PC's, a work laptop, an ipad\ipod, a WD multimedia player, and a server. The server is a Windows Server 2003 box with a single core AMD 3000 chip. It has 5 hard drivers ranging from 200GB to 1.5TB. Tonight I noticed that the server isn't booting up correctly. I was able to fix the problem, but I believe the board is on its last leg.

At this point I am looking for a solution for the server. Should I be looking to upgrade the server hardware and OS, or look to a NAS solution? I haven't owned a NAS before, but for the most part I use the server to stream video to my TV/ipad, and for backup. I used to user the server for torrents and Web, but don't do much with that any more.

Thoughts and opinions from either side? It seems I can get either for about the same price.

If this is the wrong place to post this let me know.

Thanks,
Glenn
 
You can probably get by with a Zacate (E-350 CPU) motherboard, based on the CPU you are currently using. The CPU is soldered onto the motherboard and is an AMD 1.6GHz dual core that is very power efficient. For instance, if you have no need for eSATA, this motherboard is a nice choice. It is passively cooled for silence, comes with six SATA 6G internal ports, of course comes with the CPU and is only $125 shipped. It is efficient enough that not counting your hard drives, this board probably only needs around a 30W PSU, not that you can buy anything that low wattage.

Oh yeah, replace those HDDs too, at least all the small ones. Regular price on a 3TB Hitachi is $130 and there may even be a coupon code out there to knock another $10-20 off. The drive is a 5400RPM model but is fast enough that it can outperform some of the slower 7200RPM drives.
 
Yeah, since you already have the experience running a Win2K3 server, I would say that a NAS appliance would be a downgrade for you. Grab the mobo that Zap mentioned, 4GB of DDR3 (also thanks to Zap), and you should be off to the races.
 
mfenn said:
Grab the mobo that Zap mentioned, 4GB of DDR3 (also thanks to Zap), and you should be off to the races.
Click to expand...

Actually, I disagree with your recommendation of my recommendation from another thread. :sneaky:

Better RAM choice because it is a single 4GB stick instead of a pair of 2GB sticks (E-350 memory controller is only single channel so no benefit/drawback) and it is a few bucks less. It also leaves one slot empty for future upgrades if so desired/required.

Oh BTW, the reason I've recommended these particular Kingston memory is that they are super low profile, thus will impinge the least on airflow in cramped mini ITX cases.
 
Fair enough! 😀 It probably doesn't matter either way, but I agree that a single 4GB would be better in this application. You don't really have to pay any extra to get the low-profile memory either.
 
Yes, after looking at some of the NAS setups on newegg. I could spend the same money on new drives and a board and be done with it. I guess I was thinking of making it easier on my self by getting a NAS setup, but since I have a system already an upgrade could be an order.

Thank you both for the replies.
 
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