Need help building a server!

[rexxe]

Hello,

I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on building a server. The server will be running Linux and will be used as a general server with a database, CVS, app server, web server, etc. I'm starting up a new company and obviously don't have lots of money to throw around. I have priced 2 systems:

1. Dual 2.8 GHz Xeon w/ EMT64, 1 MB cache, and 800 MHz FSB
   SuperMicro X6DA8-G2 motherboard
   2 Gigs ECC Registered PC-3200 DDR2 Ram
   SCSI Raid
   2 37 gig SCSI HDs

1. Dual Opteron Model 244 (1.8 GHz)
   Tyan K8W Thunder
   2 Gigs DDR400 PC-3200 ECC Registered
   SCSI RAID Card
   2 37 gig SCSI HDs

I'm looking for something that is going to last me at least 2 years. Any thoughts on what I should get? I'm new to building my own computers and am a little overwhelmed by the choices. I'd like to stay under $3,000, preferably closer to $2000/2300

Thanks for any help!

Rexxe

 

[Comparisonman]

Opterons will own the crap out of Xeons due to the memory controller being on die.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Dual Opteron

 

[Boonesmi]

my server runs a dual opteron. i couldnt be happier with it

this anadtech site also runs on dual opterons


since your gonna be running linux, i wouldnt go with any of the nvidia nforce 3 or nforce4 solutions (nvidia doesnt have the best linux support)

 

[rexxe]

What motherboard do you recommend I get? The choices are pretty weird IMHO, as I think only 1 has AGP and PCI-X. I figure that it would be good to have the AGP as once this puppy gets older it can be used for a desktop....but what are your thoughts on getting the one with AGP vs. just getting the one with all PCI-X and PCI and the onboard video.

 

[Boonesmi]

if you got the $$ for it, i would go with the Thunder K8W (S2885ANRF)


but either of these should work well also (they are more budget minded, and not quite in teh same league as the one above

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-130-436&depa=0




im actually typing on the msi board listed above. its an extreemly powerfull board for the price, but it doesnt have the 64bit 66mhz pci slots


***EDIT*** i should have noticed this before, but since your planning on going with a scsi raid you will really want a board with 64bit 66mhz pci slots. so the Thunder K8W (S2885ANRF) is probably the best choice

 

[Boonesmi]

as for memory ive been very happy with this stuff

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-150-602&depa=0

buffalo is a lesser known name, but they make a great quality product

 

[Boonesmi]

sorry had to updated one of my earlier posts, i realized it was bad advice for what your needing

 

[rexxe]

Cool, thanks for the help Boonesmi, I appreciate it! The one thing I'm pretty shaky on is the whole SCSI RAID thing. Since I'm getting 2 HDs I thought RAID 1 would be sufficient. I was thinking about getting this: http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=16-118-017&depa=0

Is this what I need?

Rexxe

 

[Boonesmi]

that looks like a decent card, but personally i would get a controller with the raid 5 option (even if i wasnt going to use it at the time, it would make a nice upgrade path)