Need suggestions for a Linux home server build

[digitalfirefly]

I've been looking at a lot of different options (NUCs, Zotacs, Rasperry Pi etc). I don't think the Pi is powerful enough for what I want to do. I'm looking at the Atom processors since they're fanless, but I have no idea if they're powerful enough for what I want to do.

Primarily I want it to run Linux (Ubuntu and Centos). I also want to use it as a LAMP web server and local file server and FTP server. Also maybe Ventrilo.

Here's some other criteria:

• 
  Small (the smaller the better)
  Quiet (silent would be great)
  Low Power (this will be running 24/7)
  Cheap (ideally under $400, flexible)
  Sata hard drive support.

*edit* I'm not planning on putting in an optical drive, and I have a hard drive I can use.

An added bonus would be if it could run as a 4 player Minecraft server, but this is not necessary. I do have a beefy HTPC which I use as a Minecraft server from time to time, but I don't like to leave that on 24/7.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[DComander1x]

I've been looking at a lot of different options (NUCs, Zotacs, Rasperry Pi etc). I don't think the Pi is powerful enough for what I want to do. I'm looking at the Atom processors since they're fanless, but I have no idea if they're powerful enough for what I want to do.

Primarily I want it to run Linux (Ubuntu and Centos). I also want to use it as a LAMP web server and local file server and FTP server. Also maybe Ventrilo.

Here's some other criteria:

• 
  Small (the smaller the better)
  Quiet (silent would be great)
  Low Power (this will be running 24/7)
  Cheap (ideally under $400, flexible)
  Sata hard drive support.

An added bonus would be if it could run as a 4 player Minecraft server, but this is not necessary. I do have a beefy HTPC which I use as a Minecraft server from time to time, but I don't like to leave that on 24/7.

Thanks in advance for any help.

This build should run linux just fine, the CPU is only 35w, the fan is quiet, it has 4 GB RAM and everything is $351 -
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-S1 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.94 @ OutletPC)
Case: HEC Enterprise MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($20.98 @ OutletPC)
Other: picoPSU-160-XT, 160w output, 12v input DC-DC Power Supply ($49.50 @ Mini-Box.com)
Total: $351.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-07 14:45 EST-0500)

 

[digitalfirefly]

I'm actually looking for something much smaller, like Mini ITX size. Also, I don't want it to have an optical drive, and I have hard drives to use.

 

[DComander1x]

I'm actually looking for something much smaller, like Mini ITX size. Also, I don't want it to have an optical drive, and I have hard drives to use.

Alright, heres a new build with a mini-itx board & case, everything, minus the board & case stays the same -
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61N-USB3 Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($76.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($35.99 @ Microcenter)
Other: picoPSU-160-XT, 160w output, 12v input DC-DC Power Supply ($49.50 @ Mini-box.com)
Total: $340.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-07 21:52 EST-0500)