what do you think of my file server?

[5489]

gonna order soon

Epox - 8k5a3+
(4) Western Digital 120 gig Special Edition
Athlon XP 1500+
Crucial ram - 256 megs


I need some help deciding which case to buy. any suggestions?

 

[Sunner]

I'd swap those WD's for something cheaper, say a bunch of 120 GB 5400 RPM disks.

It's not like you'll be pulling anywhere near their max capability over an ethernet connection, unless you're going for GigE.
With the price difference you might even be able to afford a good 3Ware RAID controller that can handle RAID-5.

 

[Czar]

go with 5400rpm maxtors instead

 

[MoMeanMugs]

That's way too much overkill for something that's gonna be doing nothing but transferring files.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

What OS are you going to run and what's it for?
How were you planning on configuring the hard drives?

 

[Smilin]

Yep, get some cheaper hard drives and a good raid 5 controller and you'll be set. The additional cache on those drives won't help a whole lot if your raid controller caches well. Memory, you need memory as well.

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: Smilin
Yep, get some cheaper hard drives and a good raid 5 controller and you'll be set. The additional cache on those drives won't help a whole lot if your raid controller caches well. Memory, you need memory as well.

A file server won't use much memory.
In fact, for a pure fileserver, 128 would probably do just fine.

 

[SaveYourself]

You want one of the Chieftec cases with the 4 case fans and a PCP&C Turbo-Cool powersupply. You can get all these at http://www.directron.com
Failing that, you should try an Enermax (power supply). The Chieftec case I'm referring to is the one that Antec used to sell as their SX1040B. I have one right now and it's cool. Also, you will appreciate having a Thermaltake Volcano 9 on that XP. Its big 80mm fan can be thermal-controlled and will speed up if demand increases. This is expecially useful if you will have lots of users some of the time and fewer users other times. It is also quiet when set to Low. You should populate all 4 case fan spots as well. I recommend the Vantec Stealth fans for the front. They are quiet, but move a lot of air (as much as Panaflo L1A's). Their operating life is so high with their double ball-bearing motors that they have a lifetime warranty. This is definitely a plus for a system which will be on all the time. Then for the rear fans I recommend the Vantec ThermoFlow fans which are thermally controlled and are also Double Ball-Bearing. These fans can speed up and slow down as demand increases and slacks off.

Hope you appreciated this help