New Cheap Server Build

[darkspreader]

I am building a new server to replace my old Pentium 4 HT 2.8ghz 1gb RAM.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=10175827

My main question is, are there any better suggestions than what I have chosen? My server is mainly an application / game server, so decent processing power and RAM will be needed. I originally planned on getting the Athlon X2 3600+ and overclocking it a little, to like 2.6ghz. I'm sure even at 1.9ghz it would beat my Pentium 4.
So, does anyone have any better part suggestions?

Also, a graphics card is unneeded, I have a PCI-E ATi Radeon x300 128mb laying around that will do the job.

 

[raven_87]

There's far better suggestions then what you've chosen; I can't even really call this a server; maybe a temp LAN box. But if you plan on hosting large scale games (private MMO server or MMFPS) don't expect it to run like butter.

 

[NewbieTechGodII]

I like what you've done except I would change the MB so that you can run tri-SLi (or would that be 2.5 SLi because SLi indicates 2 video cards?). Also figure out how to RAID 10 150GB Raptors.

 

[mikeccuk2005]

For most standard servers, you will need a medium memory (2gb) and some cache and more importantly is the bus speed at 333mhz. If you want something future profe and upto spec with a real server i suggest an intel set with a 1333fsb (for less oc +good for long run).
i suggest; p31 mobo + 2x1gb 800 (there's no point for a ddr3 yet). + e21xx or e4600 + some zalman cooler of choice + GF card of choice (since its a server)
You can oc to stable 3ghz easily now, this is what i would want for my spec too anyway.
If you have more to spend i suggest any 10krpm harddrive with a p35 mobo
If you have 2000 bucks to spend go for quad core with 4 gigs of 1066 rams

remember a good server is best at high bus that can run 24/7 (regardless whats the ghz of the cpu)

 

[PsychoFanatic]

What exactly are you planning on using this for? ie what kind of games, how many users will be using it? etc.

 

[darkangelism]

You could buy a cheap server thats prebuilt like a Dell T105 or SC440 for under $600 and get dual core 2GB memory

 

[mikeccuk2005]

the thing is your crappy connection going to handle the players? would any expensive build be wastefull for the crappy connection. i also recommend VPS or dedicated servers on online shops.
it is better to have a better connection than having a super computer!

 

[darkspreader]

I really only plan on having Halo dedicated servers, Counter-Strike: Source and other Steam game dedicated servers, and for backing up my files. As far as the budget goes, I'd rather not spend over $500 for the computer. It's a home server, so I really don't need anything that will be able to run a whole office of 20 computers, lol. It's a very basic server, which is why I chose pretty basic parts. I may think about swapping the two 160GBs for that Raptor 10k RPM 150gb hard drive, however.
As far as users go, none. This isn't one of those domain servers.

I don't have much money to throw around here, so I've got to be realistic about things.

 

[darkspreader]

Well, mike, I currently have a 1.7mbps upload connection, which is good enough for me. Besides, no one will be on my server all the time. I also don't plan on making a super computer, I just wanted something that could run the applications a little better.

Edit: Sorry for double-posting, I was completely oblivious to the fact that I could have just quick edited my previous post.

 

[rockyjohn]

As an alternative to the Rosewill case with power supply $67AR with shipping, consider this:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC - $20AR - $35 with shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

Excellent Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU = $50AR with free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

Total $85AR - for an extra $17 you get a much better PSU and I think a better case.

 

[darkspreader]

Hmm, do you think that an Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU would do the job?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371005

I used the eXtreme Power Supply Calculator, and it came out to be 224W for everything. I'd save a lot of money too with that $30 rebate.

Edit: Alright, I switched my build to an Intel. Here is the new wishlist:
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=7765846

 

[Shadow703793]

^That PSU is cr@p. Get a top tire PSU listed here:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088

I would go with a Corsair 450VX or 520HX, or 550VX.

the thing is your crappy connection going to handle the players? would any expensive build be wastefull for the crappy connection. i also recommend VPS or dedicated servers on online shops.
it is better to have a better connection than having a super computer!

Agreed.

 

[rockyjohn]

Hmm, do you think that an Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU would do the job?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371005

I used the eXtreme Power Supply Calculator, and it came out to be 224W for everything. I'd save a lot of money too with that $30 rebate.

Uhm, the Earthwatts 500W is the exact SAME price after rebate as that 380W. Why pay the same money for 24% less power?

And it is a great PSU. See it here on this list of RECOMMENDED high efficiency PSU's for less than $150 (not bad that it makes the less than $150 list and you can get on sale if for one third that amount)

http://www.jonnyguru.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1460

It's even the first one listed (course the list is alphabetical). But it is in the higher-end SLI capable group. right along with the much higher priced Corsair and Seasonic. And that site is considered very reputable and an excellent source of information on PSUs.

 

[toasty2]

the thing is your crappy connection going to handle the players? would any expensive build be wastefull for the crappy connection. i also recommend VPS or dedicated servers on online shops.
it is better to have a better connection than having a super computer!

You know, you can host a 12 slot average game server on 768kbps, so he can easily handle a 24 slot server, a website, and a small teamspeak/ventrilo server. Also, a (reasonably priced) VPS can't handle all that.

 

[mikeccuk2005]

You know, you can host a 12 slot average game server on 768kbps, so he can easily handle a 24 slot server, a website, and a small teamspeak/ventrilo server. Also, a (reasonably priced) VPS can't handle all that.

he didnt said that at the beginning, i through he hosting for a 200+ players or something. LOL
Really darkspreader, you can rather go for the future-profe slot 775. Go for p31/g33/g31/p35 along those lines. 1GB ram is more than enough, but i recommend to get all 4 sticks since its cheap!.
I dont recommend any graphic card, for your electric bill's sake. Your basic server and dual core is all its need. I can say a e2160 can do that job easily at stock and even better at 3ghz.

If i were you i do brough e2160 (better with e2180, even better with e4400)+ gigabyte p31 + value ram/cheap 4GB 800 + zalman cooler of choice + 550watt psu + maybe some graphic card when i game (ie 8800gt/3850 and mabe 8600gt for lower power)
If you planing for 24/7 multi-purpose multi-hosting, you will need the p35 with high memory settings. CPU dosnt really matter for a basic server, you decide you cpu last- depend on current budget (and wait for the new 45nm entry models XD)

BTW in the NA there is a opticfiber service? we got 20meg/780 in the UK

 

[toasty2]

Internet prices in the US are horrible if you want any nice service. He has about as good as it gets without a huge price tag.

I would get an E2140, a moderate OC motherboard, and some decent RAM. OC it to at least 2.6Ghz.

 

[darkspreader]

If you planing for 24/7 multi-purpose multi-hosting, you will need the p35 with high memory settings.

Well, the P35 boards are still pretty expensive... and the Gigabyte P31 mobo doesn't have onboard RAID options, plus a decent RAID controller is about 50 bucks...
This mobo is pretty good; the only downside is that it doesn't support dual channel memory. Maybe you could help me look for a good P35 mobo for about 70 bucks?

As far as the power supply goes, I don't think I need anything that powerful. I think that the Antec Earthwatts 380W will do fine. I could get the 430W version just to be on the safe side...

 

[HamRadio]

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L for $89 at zipzoomfly and clubit (no RAID)
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R for $123 at clubit (RAID)

(not sure why newegg's prices are a few dollars higher for these today. a month ago the GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L was $70)

I'm not a big fan of RAID 0. Double the chance of losing your data since if either HDD crashes you are doomed unless you have automated nightly backups. (anyone have a painless way of doing nightly automated backups that they would like to share with us?)

 

[darkspreader]

I'm not a big fan of RAID 0. Double the chance of losing your data since if either HDD crashes you are doomed unless you have automated nightly backups.

I never planned on RAID 0. I was planning on RAID 1. But I may have to give up the second 160gb hard drive just so i can get a P35 motherboard.... Looking at that GA-P35-DS3R however, I may get it and replace it with my 965P-DS3 in my gaming computer and use the 965P-DS3 for my server...

 

[darkspreader]

Well, I think I'm pretty set in with my wishlist. Although, I don't know if I should drop a hard drive for a P31/P35 mobo or not...
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=7765846

Edit: Would this G31 mobo work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130124

 

[HamRadio]

Would this G31 mobo work? I]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130124

I thought you wanted a board that could do RAID

Edit - I did not see anything at newegg or MSI about this board having a built in RAID controller, but a few sites found with google suggest it does have RAID built in.

 

[Onus]

A coworker who has a computer business has MSI on his black list for making crap. If it were me, I would choose Gigabyte or Biostar. The GA-G33M-DS2R is a little pricier, but has all the features you want, including RAID.

 

[darkspreader]

I thought you wanted a board that could do RAID

Whoops, I could've sworn that mobo supported RAID... lol.

Well, I found a different board. I took the advice of jtt283 and went with Gigabyte, but not the G33 board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128079

I don't think that getting a Pxx / Gxx mobo is really that important. I just want something cheap and effective.