Which processor/combo for a home server?

[ctk1981]

Okay, heres a list of what I have. I already have a good idea of which one I will be using but I want some opinions first.

What this server will be doing: Running UT2003 server for when buddies are over. Possible FTP/HTTP server (IIS 5.0. No heavy traffic). Storage of files from all three computers in my house. Cant think of anything else I would be doing but you never know.

Additional Requirements: Has to be quiet. Im thinking one 80MM NMB fan exhuast, one 80MM NMB fan intake. I also would like to keep the wattage down that would be required to run this server. 300W Antec or something similiar will be the most I want to go, if I can get away lower mention it with your pick of setup.

What I have in combo's laying around:

Dual PIII 1Ghz processors with Acorp motherboard. I have 512MB PC133 for this board. There are twin swiftech heatsinsk in place, I'd need a recommendation for a quiet 60MM fan to put on top of them. Currently have YS-Tech which isnt so bad, but its noticable.

Via 900mhz processor and Soyo motheboard. Id have 512MB PC133 or 384MB PC100 ECC ram for this board. Only thing I like about this is the potential for a passive heatsink on the processor and low power requirements. However, I am familiar with this processors performance. It more or less blows. But maybe its enough for what Im doing?

AMD Duron 1.3Ghz and Abit KR7A-Raid motherboard. Only have 256MB DDR laying around for this setup.

Parts I have which will be used in systems above. Two 60GB 60GXP "Deathstars" that are still working well. ATI Rage128 Pro 32MB or Kyro II 64MB cards are at my disposal. I have a Asus 52X CD-ROM and floppy drive also. No soundcard will be utilized for obvious reasons. Intel Pro 10/100 NIC.

Additional parts may needed: Recommend a good PSU along with your pick of combo above. Also looking for a 120GB quiet/cheap hard drive. Thinking either maxtor L series or a Samsung 120Gb drive.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

id use the dual p3
with 60mm fans you are almost always going to get a high pitched whine at higher speeds/cfm
maybe get adjustable ones if you can find them in 60mm? (like 3 setting, low when doing nothing/very little, medium when doing something a bit more cpu demanding, high when running ut2k3 server)

panaflo makes some nice fans
Panasonic Panaflo Axial Fan 60x60x25.5mm, Ball Bearing,**With the 2nd Wire**DC 12V, 2.04W, 4200 RPM, 19.1CFM, 32.0 dB-A Model: FBA06A12H - OEM
Panasonic Panaflo Axial Fan 60x60x25.5mm, Ball Bearing, DC 24V, 1.68W, 3200 RPM, 14.1 CFM, 24.0 dB-A Model: FBA08A 24L1A - OEM

or vantec stealth
VANTEC's STEALTH SF6025L
VANTEC's ThermoFlow TF6025 Temperature Control Sensor Adjusts Fan Speed Automatically.

from www.newegg.com

300w would be sufficient (enermax, antec, sparkle)
any 120gb would suffice

 

[BA]

1. Sell the dual P3.
2. Give me half the money
3. Use the Duron with a GC68 and L1A. Should be able to get away with just PSU fan, unless you're in Death Valley or something

 

[ctk1981]

I was leaning towards the PIII setup myself. That board also has raid so that will be a plus. I can put the 60's on raid and use a 120 for the OS or use it as the storage. Well it looks like its time to get a cheap case from pcinfinity.


BA your recommendation goes right out the window for your 2nd note on your list.

 

[VeggieMan]

Sunon makes some nice 60mm 27cfm units that are very quiet.. I still have two left from my old Alpha slot a cooler...

 

[BA]

Ok, so #2 was a little facetious.

In all seriousness, P3's are ridiculously overvalued. While I have no experience with servers for UT2K3, I doubt it takes much CPU horsepower. Bottlenecks are generally RAM and Bandwidth. I ran a CS server on a K6-2 350. I'm pretty sure a 1.3 Duron could handle UT2003 for as many buddies as you have.


(And I'd be perfectly happy if you gave me the C3...Its performance still blows less than my P2 300)

 

[ctk1981]

Well I have a buyer on the 1.3Ghz duron now. Which reminds me. I forgot I had an Epox 8k3a+ and a 1.6ghz athlon also laying around. Just dont have enough memory for either DDR board. Id like the server to have at least 512Mb and I only have 256MB of DDR to spare.

Actually, with a POS heatsink/fan and a poor job of applying AS II I got that 900 to overclock to 990 but backed down to 945 so it would be stable for sure. My dad has it right now in his computer, he doesnt notice how much it sux. Course, when you only play solitaire, blackjack, etc you probably wouldnt notice much either I guess.

Well, we'll see how everything goes. Im sure any of the three would have done a good job. I just wanted to know if there was a slight edge between them at all.

Thanks for all the fan recommendations. Im gonna fire it up with the ys-techs onboard and see how much noise it really makes. If nothing else Ill stuff this computer in a corner or in the closet for all I care. Not like Im going to be sitting at it doing anything. I think it was best summed up....all 60MM are whiney in some form or another.