Server Build?

[huron]

I have been thinking about building a server to run in my house. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this.

Ideally, I would like to to be not too expensive, as to not upset the wife, and be expandable. I was thinking that I may eventually have all of my DVDs ripped to it so I can access them from any PC or media extender (when they come down in price) in the house.

I have a friend who is running a server on a P4 with ease, so I was thinking that even a low build would do.

Let me know what you think.

G31 or other integrated GPU boards - I'm not going to need to have a monitor on this. I would ideally have many SATA ports (4-6) I think less that $50.

E5200 (or if someone could suggest and AMD CPU that is quality in that range or lower - would need a different mobo as well)
$70 ish

No GPU necessary.

2x2GB RAM - probably less than $40 if I can find it.

640GB HDD and add TB storage later on.

Case - I was thinking Antec 300 - can be had for $39.99 right now

PSU - I was thinking Antec Earthwatts, Corsair, or PC Power and Cooling in the 400w range.

I have a copy of Windows Server 2008 already - free from my school.

What do you think? I think the total comes out to about $300. Things to consider? Improve?

Thanks in advance for help.

 

[huron]

Anyone have any suggestions at all? I was really trying to keep it pretty cheap (so the wife doesn't kill me), but very reliable.

Thanks to all who have any ideas or improvements of any kind.

 

[aevm]

Sounds like a good plan.

If you intend to compress those DVDs consider a quad cpu instead of the E5200. It will save you a lot of time.

Check this out too:
http://ala42.cdfreaks.com/MCSE/

 

[huron]

Thanks aevm for the look at a potential build.

I have now come up with a slight change to the plan - if I can finagle it, I will upgrade my E8400 to a Q9550 or Q9650 and put the E8400 (underclocked possibly) into the server.

I think I can rip the DVDs and move them, though it will still take some time on the network.

I was also thinking about this case because of hotswap: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=zalman+full+tower&x=0&y=0

I know it adds a lot to the price, but it would be nice to fit 9 HDDs in there in some sort of RAID.

Thanks for the advice aevm.