Server for desktop?

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Randymanme

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Sep 22, 2015
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I don't presently have a computer, but I'm looking for an used one. If I can find something like, say, quad core, 3.0 GHz, 8 GB, 500 GB Hdd, with hyperthreading and hardware virtualization for under $100, I'd be excited.

Browsing online, I happened upon: "... HP DL385 G6 Server with dual 2.20 Ghz AMD 2427 6 Core Processors (12 Core total). Has 32GB of RAM installed. NO HD or OS. 4X 1GB Network w/iLo. HP Smart Array P410 Controller. Comes with rails. Has single 460W power supply. Will included the 2nd power supply but it recently failed. Asking price is $100.

My question, is would it be practical for me to use this to run desktop operating systems? If it wouldn't be practical to install desktop operating systems bare metal, how about installing a hypervisor first? I can find hdds.
 
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USAFRet
You're expecting desktop magic from a $50-$100 partial server.
Not gonna happen.

"Dual CPU" - useless in the regular desktop world. None of the software you'll use can take advantage of it.
"9TB internal storage" - Between my main PC and the NAS box and associated drives...almost 30TB. Seriously.
"dual power supply" - eh..so what.

You could find a refurb recent Dell for $200, incl Win 10, that will kick that server in the butt all day long.
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ikaz

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Dec 27, 2005
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Not to be rude but unless you really know what your doing I would not recommend going the server route if you have access to us Ebay I see refreshed PC for around $100 (normally older I5 i3XX) with OS and ram if you just need a simple PC. HP server will require setup of drivers, replacement hardware like drives could be most costly then standard desktop counter part (if bought new). Also if I remember correctly for Servers HP will not supply hard updates like Bios unless you have a current valid service contract (this may have changed not 100% sure still).
 
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Randymanme

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Sep 22, 2015
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Hello.
Thank you for answering my question. I appreciate it.

I don't have any designs on just having to have a server -- I had started out looking for a desktop. I suppose I'm caught up on the number of CORES, amount of RAM, and 9 TB maximum internal storage. I quickly seduced myself by imagining what my new forum signature would be.

No, I don't know what I'm doing; but so far, I hadn't thought that that would stop me from finding out. Perhaps I better rethink. Right off, I'm wondering how to run the computer in another room while sitting somewhere else with the peripherals?

It's safe to say that I'd be spending a lot of time on forums asking for help and directions. (Hint, hint).

Google is my friend. I also found an answer at: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/difference-ubuntu-desktop-ubuntu-server/

“... After Ubuntu 12.04, both Server and Desktop variants use the same kernel. Previously, Desktop and Server used different kernels. Because both Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server employ the same kernel, you can add any packages to either variant. This means that while default installation varies, you can customize your Ubuntu flavor accordingly.

So you might start with Ubuntu Server and install a desktop environment if you decide you can’t run it headless. Alternatively, you could begin with Ubuntu Desktop and add the necessary packages to create a server. Since Ubuntu Server and Desktop share a core Ubuntu kernel, default installation differences don’t preclude future software package installs.”

So, now, I just need to make sure the server isn't on Ubuntu's Incompatibility List. It shouldn't be as I've seen on HP's Quick Specs that this is compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and Oracle Enterprise Linux.

When I saw the advertisement for the abovementioned server, I didn't look any further until later. When I did look further, I found that the party selling this one has another one for sale:
“Used HP Proliant DL380 G5 Server with dual Quad Core 2.33 Ghz CPU and 6GB of RAM. All drives have been removed. Has dual power supplies. Asking price is $55.” This one may not be as noisy and it is more affordable.

My Thanks and Appreciation to all who responded
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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You're expecting desktop magic from a $50-$100 partial server.
Not gonna happen.

"Dual CPU" - useless in the regular desktop world. None of the software you'll use can take advantage of it.
"9TB internal storage" - Between my main PC and the NAS box and associated drives...almost 30TB. Seriously.
"dual power supply" - eh..so what.

You could find a refurb recent Dell for $200, incl Win 10, that will kick that server in the butt all day long.
 
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