Building a Home Server

[xToxicInferno]

So i've built my own Gaming Computer before (about 4 months ago) and now that i've been doing a lot of PC gaming i want to start hosting my own dedicated server. I can do it on this PC for the number of players i will have in the game at a time but i like to shut this computer down at night, which you can't do when running a server.

So my solution is to possibly build a home server where me and handful of friends can play games on. My thoughts are as follows:

4 500GB Hard Drives in Raid 10 or 2 500GB in Raid 0 whichever you think is better, i like the idea of the added security of raid 10 myself though.
A mid-range CPU (i5 or AMD X4)
About 6-8 GB of RAM

As you can see i've got a very vague idea on this build as i do not know for sure what would be required for a computer whose sole purpose is to host a server for games. I know you don't need a powerful CPU and i know you need a lot of RAM but both of which i do not know how much of a CPU is overkill and how much RAM is not enough. That is why i am asking you guys to help me out.

Also, if it is at all possible, i would like this to fit in a MicroATX case as i do not want a bulky computer, just something tiny to toss under the desk to run the servers.

Sorry for the vagueness but if your like me (but know what your talking about) you LOVE to build computers even if it isn't for yourself, so i figure this gives you leeway to do what you think is best. Also i would like to keep this build as far under 800 dollars as we can. Im willing to spend up to it, but the golden number will be around 600 i think.

 

[rvilkman]

Well here goes nothing, it's not a microATX I rather went for something i know is well ventilated and quiet.

CPU: Phenom II x4 955 BE $113.99
MB: Asrock 880G Pro3 AM3+ $99.99
Case: Antec 300 Illusion $69.99
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 430D $44.99
DVD: Asus 24x DVD+/-RW $20.99
Video: Onboard 4250
Memory: Gskill Sniper 2x4GB CAS9 1600Mhz $74.99
HDD: Samsung Spinpoing F3 1TB x4 $64.99 each $259.96

Total: $684.90 for HW, if you need to get an OS for the servers then that needs to be added.

For this use you can probably under volt and under clock the CPU and it would still run just fine for you. The BE is nice for this as you can just adjust the multiplier down.
It may be overkill, but at least if the server is threaded it should work out fine and the bang for buck for the CPU is just undeniable.

Obviously if the memory is not enough, you can always add some more..., 8GB should be enough though.

The HDDs are the fast kind, basically you could easily get Green versions, just giving them as an example.
Price differences on that front are minimal anyway. The lower spinning ones would cause less noise though.

The fans on the Illusion are adjustable, so you can for this use probably put them on their lowest setting and be just fine.
So the machine should pretty much be whisper quiet. And the fans in the front of the case will keep the HDDs nice and cool.
If the blue LEDs on the case fans are a problem, just get the regular Antec 300 and add one or two adjustable 120mm fans
to the front of the case to cool down the HDDs.

MB should be able to run RAID 0/1/0+1/5. Which should be just fine for your use, and comes with onboard video for easy setup.
MB also come with AM3+ socket for bulldozer CPU's. You may need to grab a few extra Sata cables though, it may only come with 2.
But then those are maybe 5 bucks each.

DVD drive might not be needed, since once you have everything installed you can get your stuff from the net anyway.

Not sure if you need a 2nd network connection, if you do you can always just buy a card, they are pretty cheap.

 

[xToxicInferno]

Thank you very much for the effort you put into with compiling this list. I find everything here to be about what i expected (which makes me feel good as it makes it seem i know what im talking about) however i failed to mention i got a OS and DVD drive. Also with more thought put into it, ill just go with 2 HDD due to the cost.

Also, after i checked the specs on your case i noticed it was just to big for it to be feesable to have as a server, as it is just a inch smaller (height wise) then my gaming computer itself! After poking around on newegg for a minute i stumbled upon ATX Mini Tower which seems to be the perfect thing for me (size wise). I also noticed these were less expensive and some of the off brands came with PSU which i feel wouldn't be that big of a deal for something like a server. So with all these modifications (using your list as a starting point) i got the price down to $460!

Of course i would LOVE more opinions on everything but this does give me a idea, not to mention i won't be buying this anytime soon so i got time to fine tune it.

 

[boiler1990]

CPU: Phenom II x4 955 BE $113.99
MB: Asrock 880G Pro3 AM3+ $99.99
Case: Antec 300 Illusion $69.99
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 430D $44.99
DVD: Asus 24x DVD+/-RW $20.99
Video: Onboard 4250
Memory: Gskill Sniper 2x4GB CAS9 1600Mhz $74.99
HDD: Samsung Spinpoing F3 1TB x4 $64.99 each $259.96

Total: $684.90 for HW, if you need to get an OS for the servers then that needs to be added.

I'd say cut back on the CPU a little bit and see if there is a cheaper MicroATX motherboard. You obviously don't need the latest and greatest to run this stuff

The PSU is a good choice, but as the OP said the case is big for what he's looking for. I would almost recommend looking into a MiniITX build in something like a Silverstone Sugo series case, but the smaller the parts get, the higher the price

Also, try to see if you can get combo deals on Newegg. They occasionally have Daily/Shell Shocker Deals that are full system bases (CPU, Mobo, RAM, HDD) for $200-300.

 

[Timop]

I don't think it going to need much CPU power at all,
Consider this alternative?
Pentium G620T $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116401
ASUS H61 $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131727
Thermaltake Element Q $65
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Power-Supply-Mini-VL52021N2U/dp/B002RWJGIG
2*Samsung EcoGreen 2TB $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152245
8GB DDR3 1333 $65 (Or the 10600 set :>)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424
Total: $458 shipped

Should sip barely any power and run cool and quiet.

 

[xToxicInferno]

I don't think it going to need much CPU power at all,
Consider this alternative?
Pentium G620T $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116401
ASUS H61 $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131727
Thermaltake Element Q $65
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Power-Supply-Mini-VL52021N2U/dp/B002RWJGIG
2*Samsung EcoGreen 2TB $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152245
8GB DDR3 1333 $65 (Or the 10600 set :>)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424
Total: $458 shipped

Should sip barely any power and run cool and quiet.

Great list, thanks for the effort but it seems you left out the Video card as there isn't a on-board video card. That will up the price in there by a minimum of 60 for a half decent card.

Also thank you very much everyone for you input on this build, its been very helpful in narrowing my focus to whats important. As such here is the list i've compiled based off your suggestions and what i feel like i would like this to do. Feel free to give alternative builds or nitpick at what i chose.

MOBO: Foxconn A88GMV http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186205
$69.99
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
$113.99
RAM: G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
$74.99
Case: Cooler Master Elite 341 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119193
$44.99
PSU: Cooler Master Elite 460 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171046
$39.99
HDD: Samsung F3 Spinpoint 7200 RPM 1 TB *2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
$64.99 (*2) = $129.98

Total (Before Combo deals and MIR/Sales and Shipping)= $473.93

Like is said please continute to give me suggestions on builds or if you like my build (or someone else's) please critique it to make it better. Thank you very much for you help thus far.

 

[Timop]

Great list, thanks for the effort but it seems you left out the Video card as there isn't a on-board video card. That will up the price in there by a minimum of 60 for a half decent card.

Also thank you very much everyone for you input on this build, its been very helpful in narrowing my focus to whats important. As such here is the list i've compiled based off your suggestions and what i feel like i would like this to do. Feel free to give alternative builds or nitpick at what i chose.

MOBO: Foxconn A88GMV http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186205
$69.99
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
$113.99
RAM: G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
$74.99
Case: Cooler Master Elite 341 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119193
$44.99
PSU: Cooler Master Elite 460 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171046
$39.99
HDD: Samsung F3 Spinpoint 7200 RPM 1 TB *2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
$64.99 (*2) = $129.98

Total (Before Combo deals and MIR/Sales and Shipping)= $473.93

Like is said please continute to give me suggestions on builds or if you like my build (or someone else's) please critique it to make it better. Thank you very much for you help thus far.

The G620T comes with an IGP on the CPU itself so you do have a video card.
HD2000 would be plenty for server duties IMO.

 

[xToxicInferno]

Timop your right, i forgot that some Intel chips of IGP. Like i said i've only built one computer and that was a straight up gaming computer so i went with a higher end graphics card. So i kinda ignored IGP but on a budget computer like this one it would be fine, perfect even.

Also do you think the benefit (for server duties) would be worthwhile to put the HDD in raid 0? Or would that just be a waste of money to buy a RAID controller to go with that MOBO you suggested.

Also for a MINI ITX board do you think this one would be better due to the fact its cheaper, lists the onboard audio as Realtek ALC892 where as the ASUS board doesn't list anything for onboard audio (which gives a neewbie the impression it doesn't have onboard audio).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138327

 

[Timop]

RAID 0 is definitely not ideal for a server. but RAID1 could be useful in terms of data integrity. though neither is necessary and isn't worth buying a RAID controller over.

Heres is a H67 that does raid that actually cheaper than the ASUS, flaky fan speeds though :<
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186211

 

[xToxicInferno]

I tried to edit my post before you saw it, but you posted before i finished editing. So im just typing this message to redirect you back to the bottom paragraph of my previous post.

Also, the H67 doesn't have a VGA port on it which is what i would be hooking up to. I got my DVI and HDMI connected to my Gaming computer, and my main monitor only has 1 DVI and 1 VGA port. My plan is to have both computers (my main and the server) hooked up to the same monitor, one by DVI and one by VGA.

 

[Timop]

Timop your right, i forgot that some Intel chips of IGP. Like i said i've only built one computer and that was a straight up gaming computer so i went with a higher end graphics card. So i kinda ignored IGP but on a budget computer like this one it would be fine, perfect even.

Also do you think the benefit (for server duties) would be worthwhile to put the HDD in raid 0? Or would that just be a waste of money to buy a RAID controller to go with that MOBO you suggested.

Also for a MINI ITX board do you think this one would be better due to the fact its cheaper, lists the onboard audio as Realtek ALC892 where as the ASUS board doesn't list anything for onboard audio (which gives a neewbie the impression it doesn't have onboard audio).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138327

The ASUS is cheaper shipped actually. Boards nowadays all have integrated audio (its not a server board) and ASUS probably uses a similar Realtek (or VIA) chip. DVI/VGA should not be a problem though, an adapter is all you need.

Without the ITX fiasco, an alternate solution would be:
Silverstone ML03B$ $60
http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Aluminum-Steel-Center-ML03B/dp/accessories/B004GGUAUE
Biostar H67 $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138308
Antec EA430 $45 (or the Corsair CX430, if you like MIRs.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034