How should I build a small and discreet computer for running game servers

TheBasementNerd · Mar 13, 2016

Ok so I used to use a full computer in the past to run things like my Minecraft server, garrys mod server, and other things I wanted to keep running on a network. I lost it, and I live somewhere new and smaller so I'd like to build a very small, low power computer that can run data and networking and barely anything else. Minimum graphics so I can work on it if I need to, but it only needs one USB, one Ethernet, and one display for my needs. How should I go about making this?

And to be specific about it's usage, I'd probably end up using it for a Minecraft server, Unity game servers for my games, and possibly an FTP server so I have my own personal cloud device. Obviously I would rarely turn this off

basroil · Mar 13, 2016

For that type of system, I highly suggest an i3 or i5 (depending on number of games at one time) and ~4-16GB (again, depends on games) with Win 10 Pro. You can lower costs a bit by skipping an SSD and just sticking to a nice 7200rpm HDD.

ComputerSecurityGuy · Mar 13, 2016

I actually recommend the FX series chips for most game servers, then stepping up to a Xeon E3. Game servers tend to thread pretty well so FX has a significant advantage as opposed to anything below a Xeon E3-1230x Intel offers.

basroil · Mar 13, 2016

ComputerSecurityGuy :

From performance for price perspective, yes, they can work well in certain situations, but unless you don't have to pay for your own electricity the i5 will pay for itself

ComputerSecurityGuy · Mar 13, 2016

In Europe, maybe. In the US it's much cheaper, and with the money saved you could buy a more efficient PSU as well.

basroil · Mar 13, 2016

ComputerSecurityGuy :

Basically everywhere in the world except the mainland US actually. OP hasn't stated where he is or his use patterns

As for PSU, absolute nonsense. The difference between the most efficient FX and a non-k i5 is ~20% at max powerAssuming he targets his server properly and it runs near 100%, it would be impossible for the FX to ever catch up, considering the difference between the worst Haswell compatible PSU and best PSU in the market is not even 15%. Considering his use likely means high idle use, the difference is more pronounced (though smaller in terms of Whr)

TheBasementNerd · Mar 13, 2016

I live in the US, specifically North Carolina. I pay my own electricity as part of an apartment complex, and it's split between rooms, where however much we go over the electricity allowance we three way split, so if it's a lot of extra, my roommates will have to pay too. So the lowest possible power consumption

basroil · Mar 13, 2016

TheBasementNerd :

In that case you should seriously consider an i3 or i5. Hell, you should test just how heavy the server programs you have are. If they are light enough that you can run everything you want on a regular laptop, you might be able to get away with using a NUC. The FTP becomes more difficult (you'll only have room for a 2.5" drive, so ~1-2TB max, no redundancy), but not impossible, but the energy consumption goes way down, less than a monitor in most cases.

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