WHS Server Build - low cost, low power consumption

[Shftup]

I wanna build a low cost, low power sever. I have an old thermaltake ATX case, and thats it to start with. I perfer to use an intel proc.

I would like to have the ability to have 6 SATA II drives in the case, so the MOBO should support 6 SATA II ports. Aswell the mobo should have E-SATA connection. If possible, the mobo should have the ability to use a 45nm proc for future upgrade.
I am open to using a mobile CPU (even celeron)/desktop celeron procs.


If a forum member could provide me with their existing setup, or a potential that would be great.

items needed
Proc/mobo
drives
ram (i assume 1gb @667) should be enuff??

Thanks
S

 

[Ol Bob]

I have some of the same concerns for my home server but mine is based on older hardware. I will be using an Asus p4c-800e-deluxe mobo in a huge antec full tower case. I have 4 old ide hard drives totaling 900 gb but thats about all thats firm in my plans so far.I have a choice of 2.4 or 3.2 northwood p4c cpu's and 2.8b 533Mhz chip as well depending on the ratio of power usage vs performance.I can go 2Gb of ddr400 ram and gigabit lan as well. Any thoughts out there??

 

[elcamino74ss]

i tried it this past weekend on a ecs board, 1gb ram, p4 2.4 and it ran fine. my issues were installing the client connector. I never could get a client connected and working.

 

[JackMDS]

Windows Home server is really a simple affair.

As far as my experience goes, you can go as low as Pentium III- 1GB RAM and rock bottom Video (on board 6150 or similar capable Video works well).


To get good result you should think about Giga NIC and upgrade your LAN to Giga.

So choose whatever you are comparable that save Power and are like the above or better.

WHS per-se does not support RAID but if the Drives system is RAID configure it would work with it.
Therefore, if you want RAID you need a RAID system with a RAID controller that is Not OS dependent.

I set it with an old mATX 478 Mobo using Celeron 2GB and 2GB of memory, and it works very well.

Keep in mind that server is Not a gaming Rig, it needs to be rich in server related capacity. Pure power is Not so important in servers.

 

[Ol Bob]

I hadn't considered the video setup for this at all.Looking thru my junk all I have is a 6600gt and ,if I remember correctly, these ran kinda hot even just idleing along.I assume that WinHoSe has the same option to turn off the video after a specified lengh of time, in the screen saver power options.Will this cut the power consumption of the 6600gt ?

 

[Ol Bob]

My apologies to the OP, I didnt intend to hi-jack your thread, only to add to it.Your hardware setup should do fine, sounds like your using mostly new components.The folks on here that deal with"real" servers could add a lot to the subject of home server's using workstation/desktop/home computer hardware if they would chime in.I know that WinHoSe is still new but I'd like to understand what makes a server run well and what doesn't need attention.

 

[Shftup]

NP

I do hope that some of the server gurus kick in with the wisdom....

thanks.