Used Server or new desktop? Please help!

[RussellOrtego]

Hello everyone, I firstly want to thank you for taking the time to read my thread. The issue I have is that my brother is looking to purchase or have me build a desktop for him. The desktop will be used as a home server running windows 7; It will be running 24/7, have multiple hard drives, and possibly be used to stream movies/etc. I have linked two of the options he is looking at at the moment below.

*My issue with this is firstly will windows 7 recognize and be able to use a 2x processor configuration like the ones linked below?

*Secondly, would a used server or a brand new i7 build be better? I have been building computers for 15 years, know what i am doing, use good quality parts only, do great cable management/etc.

*Thirdly, would one of the used desktops below be faster or an i7 in everyday usage? I realize that neither of these are going to be pushed even close to their limits, however much like me, he would like to have that power for when he needs it.

Also, he doesn't care about the graphics at all, but worst things worst I have an extra R7 250 2gb Ddr5 laying around.

*Any other questions or concerns that I am not thinking of?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-LENOVO-...CPU-48GB-MEM-1x-200GB-SSD-FX570-/201366240569

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-PRECIS...970?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2800f23082

The one I would be building would be:

i7 4790k
Good mobo - something from this combo: http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/intel-processor-bundles.aspx
16gb of 2133 mhz cl9 ram - probably g skill sniper
120-240gb ssd - good quality of course
a few 1tb-4tb hard drives
dvd drive
big full size case for expandability and air flow
650w gold/platinum psu or 800w bronze. Leaning towards the 650-750 gold/platinum.
sdhc/card reader

rough estimate ~$800



Thanks for the help and suggestions and I look forward to reading your responses.

 

[Red Squirrel]

At those prices for used, I would just pay a bit more and build a new machine instead.

I also would use Linux, Windows 7 is not really a proper server OS. Not sure if they still do that but I know at one point Windows had artificial limitations such as how many tcp connections it can have.

 

[Ketchup]

Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate will handle up to 2 CPUs.

Up until a year ago I had an AMD Athlon X2 running server 2003 as a file/ media server (2 tb of space). That was actually upgraded from an AMD Sempron. Last year I put in my prior desktop guts; a 2500k on a Z68 board, running Server 2008.

The point is it doesn't take a ton of horsepower to run a home file /media server. But I do like the efficiency of using a Server OS to run only the specific roles that are needed.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Honestly, unless you are actually going to be sitting at the machine and using it as a workstation, or plan on trans-coding video on-the-fly with something like Plex, then there is no need for CPU requirements like that.

Heck, you could use AM1 or FM2(+), throw a cheap APU in, and a CX430 or 500 PSU, and then add drives and OS.

Edit to add: For a purely server role machine, oftentimes, the network card is more important than the CPU (unless you are trans-coding).

 

[RussellOrtego]

Thank you very much for the help everyone! I really appreciate it and hope you guys have a great day.

 

[sm625]

Those two used machines look like pure overkill. You could easily get buy with an old T3500 with a xeon W3530 for $200.