Want to build an inexpensive, power efficient server

cw42

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
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I want to build a server that won't take up too much space, nearly silent, and has a low power draw. It should also have a very lower power draw when it's not busy doing anything, or being accessed (good power mgmt). I prob won't use a monitor once I have everything setup.

I was thinking of using notebook components like a Pentium M, but parts for those seem a bit pricey.

OS: Win2k3, or something Linux?
CPU: Sempron, Celeron?
HD: NEED ROOM FOR 2-4 SATA HDs.
Case: Something small like a mini-tower, or Shuttle size if there's enough room for hds. I've seen NAS servers that can fit like 4 hds not too much bigger than a shuttle.
Duties: File server, web development (php, sql, etc), and the possibility of throwing a TV card in there for some HTPC duties.
 

HannibalX

Diamond Member
May 12, 2000
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Really, any old retail BUSINESS PC would be a good choice. They come almost silent. I would recomend an HP DC500 or something similar. Onboard SATA, 2.8GHz P4, onboard video, sound, gigabit lan - CHEAP and very quiet.

You could build one if you wanted. Built in video/sound/HD controller would be a must obviously. If you didn't need an optical drive consider removing it after you load the OS.

Win2k3 would be my choice.
 

cw42

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
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I'd like to emphasize power efficiency. Which is why I suggested things like Semprons, and notebook based CPUs. The power-draw of a P4 is way too high, and i'd have to run a fat hsf.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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There is a huge size difference between 2 and 4 HDs. You might be able to cram 4 HDs into a shuttle case but they'd probably cook themselves to an early death.

For 4 HDs you'll want a small mid tower like an Antec SLK3000 ($50 at mwave.com) with a low-RPM intake fan to cool the drives (undervolted or an 800 RPM Scythe 120mm) and a fanmate-controlled medium speed 120mm exhaust fan. Seasonic S12-430 PSU is quiet and efficient.

Sempron 3000+ or so would be low-power, or an A64 3000+. With a Zalman 7000-alcu or Scythe Mine you could quiet the CPU fan. Since you might also turn this into a HTPC I could see going as high as an X2 3800+.

Biostar TForce socket 754 and 939 microATX motherboards have passive chipset cooling and onboard nv 6100 video. Both are also much more mature than socket AM2 boards.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
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How much space do you need? Would a sempron and a couple of 750GB SATA drives in RAID 1 not be enough?
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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For a desktop format see the Antec NSK2400 (and Fusion) review at SilentPCReview.com

For just 2 drives you could try a mATX cube like an Ultra Microfly (at TigerDirect) or Silverstone SG-01. Or an Aspire X-QPack if you get a short DVD drive to fit with a Seasonic PSU.
 

stevf

Senior member
Jan 26, 2005
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take a look at the mini-itx line from VIA - all are small and low power
 

cleverhandle

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2001
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Check out silentpcreview.com. A number of people on the forums there have gotten late model S754 Semprons to run at 0.88V, which is easily in the the neighborhood of being passively coolable. I don't see how you're going to do this in a teensy case, though, not with 4 hard drives. You might find something small, but you'd most likely be risking your drives and your data by jamming them all in. I think you're going to want a small ATX tower case in the end.