Old PC Fileserver or NAS BOX

[tivoguy2]

I need some adivce do i buy a NAS box- I am thinking of the D-link dns 321 or 323 or do I use my old computer- amd Athlon 64 (singe core), with 1.5 gigs of ram running windows xp as a file server. I mainly want to store file for backup and use a WD Live HD on my TV in my living room, and also have a print server though i have a switch/printserver i am using now i woud keep if I got the 321 NAS box. If i were to use the computer i would install a gigabit Ethernet card as i am planning on upgrading my router and switch to gigabit speed.
Also, if I use the computer, what should i do about the video card- it currently has a Gforce 8600OC that i am sure uses a fair bit of power- can I pull the card after installing windows and configuring everything, and run the system with no video card (the MB has no integrated graphics), I know I would have to put the card back in to work on the computer. or should I get a used (cheap) basic low end video card

 

[mfenn]

Most systems will not POST without a video output of some sort (regardless of whether or not it is connected to a monitor).

Anyway, the basic trade-off is power vs. flexibility. If the d-link will do what you want it to do, then it is probably the better choice. If you need to get fancy with your setup, the PC will be better.

 

[JackMDS]

Technically a computer-based server is always superior to stand alone Entry level NAS box.

Stand alone Entry level NAS boxes are usually slow on Network transfer (even if they are rated Giga), and not fully compatible with Windows NTFS. :thumbsdown:

The only advantage of the Box is low energy usage and a smaller box.

As for the graphic card story, you can find an old graphic card for less than $10.


😎

 

[Zap]

The only advantage of the Box is low energy usage and a smaller box.

You can alleviate some of that by going with an Atom proc, or one of those WHS boxes.

 

[tivoguy2]

My main concern for speed is will the d-link dns321 or 323 be fast enough to pull HD video from using an WD Live HD. I don't want to go out and buy a WHS box or something like that- I am considering using my old desktop because the only parts it would need is a Gb Ethernet card for like 20 bucks and maybe an used low end., low power consuming video card, again under 20 bucks, probably under 10 actually.
My concern with the desktop is the amount of power it uses, even swapping out the video card

 

[nerp]

You can alleviate some of that by going with an Atom proc, or one of those WHS boxes.

A WHS box would be a real server, in my book.