Media Server

[xwar]

Hi I am new here and this is my first post.

I'm building a server to distribute media (DVD images, music, photos, etc) to my entire house, which has 5 computers including a media centre PC. I'm planning also use this to store Outlook PST files as well as manage users running windows 2003 server.

What do you guys think of the parts I've chosen, budget is about $1000
I already have a 380 watt ANTEC power supply lying around, DVD-ROM, floppy etc.

AMD Opteron148BN 2.2G L2=1MB 90nm E4 Revision Retail Box 273
Asus A8N-VM CSM Socket 939 98
OCZ 1Gb (2x512Mb) Premier Series 118
Silverstone SST-TJ06 (Black) Full-Tower Case w/o Power Supply 159
Maxtor 300Gb, 9.3ms, 7200rpm, 16Mb Cache SATA-150 Hard Drive 144
Maxtor 300Gb, 9.3ms, 7200rpm, 16Mb Cache SATA-150 Hard Drive 144

TOTAL $936 (all Canadian prices)

I've been told this was overkill and was suggested many times to use a Celeron or a Sempron for my CPU choice.

What do you think? Suggestions or comments?

 

[the_guru]

You don't need any fast CPU for a file server. I've a P3 700MHz, 128MB RAM, 3x250GB + 10GB (system) in my fileserver. (running Linux) And it's both a file server and a firewall for my other computers. It's always at full 100Mbits.

 

[crizazykid2]

Here is a much cheaper solution to getting files throughout your house: simply buy a network drive. This is hundreds less and you can do the same things you want to do.

 

[xwar]

Here is a much cheaper solution to getting files throughout your house: simply buy a network drive. This is hundreds less and you can do the same things you want to do.

I was once considering that, but I'm planning on working with Windows 2003 server with this machine. Also, I am concerned with the ability to expand my storage as my requirements grow.

 

[shadowduck]

You don't need any fast CPU for a file server. I've a P3 700MHz, 128MB RAM, 3x250GB + 10GB (system) in my fileserver. (running Linux) And it's both a file server and a firewall for my other computers. It's always at full 100Mbits.

Guru is right, if all you want to machine to do is be a fileserver there is no need for an opteron CPU. Sempron would work fine, and would not cause any problems. This would also save you a considerable amount of money.


AMD® Sempron™ 64 - 2800+ (Socket 754) Retail Box w/ Heatsink and Fan $94.99CAD would do you just fine.
Sempron64 from PCCanada.com This store is in TO, MemoryExpress would also work if you are in Western Canada. Memory Express is also a little cheaper at $89.95. Memory Express is in Alberta.
Sempron from ME

Hope this helps you.

 

[bagg]

I have a P2 400 machine with 320MB of memory and 4 120GB drives in it running Win 2003 Server that essentially serves as a media server for my house. Works great, I don't think a faster machine would make much of a difference as far as a file server for 5 clients goes.

 

[purelithium]

I agree with everyone. Buy a cheapo P3 or P4 system and spend the rest of that cash on another hard drive or many other harddrives for lots of space. OR you could ditch the whole computer thing(and not have to pay for the expensive Server 2003 license) and you could buy a Linksys NSLU2. This unit is amazing and you can attach 2 USB harddrives.

 

[xwar]

Well I have a old Duron 1.2 Ghz PC with 512 mb of SDRAM and 18 GB harddrive ... I assume this would suffice, but the case is crap, no room, it only has IDE ...

So if that's the case, I should upgrade the case to some roomy antec case and pop in a SATA case and couple harddrives?

 

[the_guru]

If it's only a file server you want it will be a good pick. You can buy a new case and a SATA controller PCI card so you can use SATA disks.

 

[purelithium]

That sounds like an excellent idea. If you have a budget of about 1000, then you should be able to pick up this stuff:


Antec Case - 49.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129152

2 x Seagate 500gb - $700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148108

and if you want RAID support:

Highpoint PCI SATA RAID controller - $89 I've not used Highpoint, but I'm told they are excellent RAID controller cards, but you could also try the more expensive 3ware card, I think is 129. 3ware makes great stuff.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16816115015

But if you don't want RAID, something like this should be good:

Promise SATA controller card - $49.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16816102039

So that should total up to:

RAID: ~840 + shipping.
Non-RAID: ~800 +shipping.

Also you could throw in a Gigabit ethernet card, if you use a gigabit ethernet switch to improve data transfer rates.

 

[xwar]

I had no idea SATA cards with RAID are so expensive, the cost just as much as a new motherboard that has built-in SATA with RAID.

How about for running windows 2003 server and AD, will my Duron 1.2 Ghz and 512 MB Ram suffice?

 

[the_guru]

There are cheaper SATA RAID controllers, I've seen some here in Sweden for about $25-30 so the price in the US should be lower than that.

That hardware will do for Windows 2003 Server.