New Server Build Help Please

[mikolaj87]

Tbh the server proposed by you is half the speed, and it's just overpriced for what you get. Especially considering that esxi have great compatybility with home user market components. And even if you still believe that the hdd controller on the mobo is poor or additional network card is required. OP can simply downgrade processor to quad core phenom or fx4xxx and still have better performance than dual core i3. Extra cash will easily get him extra lan card and hdd controller with tbh in my opinion is not required at the beginning. Going for proper servers have no sense unless you are looking for out of the box solution with full support from the manufacturer.

Slso server listed by you is more of file server/web server, something for small bussines and was never design to do any serious work. For example I can't imagine this server hogging exchange. Even description says it .
"HP ProLiant ML310e Gen8 Server, a single-socket 4U tower, delivers essential availability and expansion needed to accommodate changing business needs. It is ideal for remote sites and corporate branch offices running file/print, web messaging, and small vertical applications or databases."

[herulach]

We'll have to agree to disagree - For my money the availability of SAS, a dual port NIC, toolless case design etc are worth paying for.

You're right that you're not going to start the next facebook on it, but then the OP has apparently no experience building stuff and is looking for essentially a small business server. For something to chuck in the corner with plenty of easy expandability and reliability that seems like the ideal choice. You can get better performance building yourself, just like everything else, but for that kind of money, probably not lots more and prebuilt will get you 24/7 reliability baked in.

Tbh the server proposed by you is half the speed, and it's just overpriced for what you get. Especially considering that esxi have great compatybility with home user market components. And even if you still believe that the hdd controller on the mobo is poor or additional network card is required. OP can simply downgrade processor to quad core phenom or fx4xxx and still have better performance than dual core i3. Extra cash will easily get him extra lan card and hdd controller with tbh in my opinion is not required at the beginning. Going for proper servers have no sense unless you are looking for out of the box solution with full support from the manufacturer.

Slso server listed by you is more of file server/web server, something for small bussines and was never design to do any serious work. For example I can't imagine this server hogging exchange. Even description says it .
"HP ProLiant ML310e Gen8 Server, a single-socket 4U tower, delivers essential availability and expansion needed to accommodate changing business needs. It is ideal for remote sites and corporate branch offices running file/print, web messaging, and small vertical applications or databases."

[UltraLinx]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses and the suggestions.
I would be flexible on the price, I appreciate you get what you pay for so I wouldn't want to skimp on something now only to have to change it in a few months time!

How does the below look for what I need?

http://www.ebuyer.com/398816-amd-a8-...-ad5500okhjbox
http://www.ebuyer.com/537895-gigabyt...a-f2a85xn-wifi
http://www.cclonline.com/product/109...DDR3-/RAM0984/
http://www.cclonline.com/product/982...t-OEM/PSU0486/
http://www.cclonline.com/product/740...rnal-/CDR0084/
http://www.cclonline.com/product/662...Drive/HDD1190/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fractal-Desi.../dp/B009PIEMUC



UltraLinx

[mikolaj87]

Wrong processor and wrong mobo. Go with http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/...roductId=52724 and this mobo

http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/...roductId=51949

[herulach]

I'd also be tempted to go with a more standard case (a £30 silverstone/coolermaster offering) with a better quality PSU - I can't see any reviews for that one, I'd be looking to spend £35/£40, scan have an XFX Core edition 450w unit for £35 on today only at the mo.

Possibly also drop the Bluray for a DVD (or even entirely) in favour of more RAM or a second disk.

[mikolaj87]

Fsp is a decent psu, but true case is overpriced for what it is. 350-450 watts psu will be more than enough.

[DanceswithUnix]

We'll have to agree to disagree - For my money the availability of SAS, a dual port NIC, toolless case design etc are worth paying for.

You're right that you're not going to start the next facebook on it, but then the OP has apparently no experience building stuff and is looking for essentially a small business server. For something to chuck in the corner with plenty of easy expandability and reliability that seems like the ideal choice. You can get better performance building yourself, just like everything else, but for that kind of money, probably not lots more and prebuilt will get you 24/7 reliability baked in.

SAS? Pah, big boys are moving to VMware over NFS to a NAS box (SAN is sooo last year). So if you really want to play, then money would be better spent on a second box running FreeNAS or similar for your drives. I think the existing list makes a good starting point though.

The AM3+ setup with 6 cores is a more powerful machine, I went for FM2 for the lower power usage as I wanted a quiet machine for home use. Either would be fine, depends on how fast or quiet you want the machine as to which way to go.

Edit to add: The A8-5600K is faster and cheaper than the 5500. I am using the 5600K, the idle power is the same for both you just have that bit more speed if it is needed.

[mikolaj87]

VMware over NFS? Hah I have not tracked virtualization trends since last year but this sounds interesting. I believe I need to catch up!
Thx for info and sorry for oftop.

[scaryjim]

FSP make a lot of industrial PSUs designed for 24/7 usage, and often provide the PSUs for cases with non-standard PSUs, plus the big SI/OEMs (I'm pretty sure that Dell primarily use FSP PSUs).

Based on the CCL listing the power supply is the FSP400-60GLN, and was reviewed quite positively by spcr: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article280-page1.html - albeit it in 2005! But frankly a good PSU design will always be a good PSU design. With the FSP name at a no-brand price, I'd definitely get that PSU.

[mikolaj87]

FSP make a lot of industrial PSUs designed for 24/7 usage, and often provide the PSUs for cases with non-standard PSUs, plus the big SI/OEMs (I'm pretty sure that Dell primarily use FSP PSUs).

Based on the CCL listing the power supply is the FSP400-60GLN, and was reviewed quite positively by spcr: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article280-page1.html - albeit it in 2005! But frankly a good PSU design will always be a good PSU design. With the FSP name at a no-brand price, I'd definitely get that PSU.

Agree, if someone is on a budget Fsp is a brilliant solution. Cheap reliable etc. Of course you won't get braided cables in the cheap version but for budget pc who cares! Stability is everything!

[b0redom]

SAS? Pah, big boys are moving to VMware over NFS to a NAS box (SAN is sooo last year).

Really? Something like a NetApp with 10Gig CX4s?

[DanceswithUnix]

Really? Something like a NetApp with 10Gig CX4s?

I work for Hitachi, so I would have to say something like an HNAS 4100

[UltraLinx]

I'd also be tempted to go with a more standard case (a £30 silverstone/coolermaster offering) with a better quality PSU - I can't see any reviews for that one, I'd be looking to spend £35/£40, scan have an XFX Core edition 450w unit for £35 on today only at the mo.

Possibly also drop the Bluray for a DVD (or even entirely) in favour of more RAM or a second disk.

Just had a look at the Coolermaster Elite 120 and I think I'll go with that, almost half the price too! - thanks for the suggestion.

UltraLinx

[UltraLinx]

This is what I've bookmarked so far for my server build.

Any other suggestions on a processor? Ideally i5/QuadCore

http://www.cclonline.com/product/843...PsKsX8eq5jfRCg
http://www.cclonline.com/product/982...IG1GtE5qvNTeDg
http://www.cclonline.com/product/109...dule-/RAM0970/
http://www.cclonline.com/product/662...vObqUH9Zpb3kiw

Not sure whether to go with the Seagate Barracuda or the WD Red? Will probably buy two 500GB drives.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions so far, much appreciated!

[DanceswithUnix]

The Elite 120 is a nice case (it is what my home server uses) but I don't usually recommend it because it is ITX format so there isn't much of a choice of motherboards that can fit it which often pushes the price up.

Smaller cases are also harder to get the airflow and hence noise level right in. Still not happy with mine.

If you are only looking at 500gb drives, then WD black laptop drives might be possible. They are 7200rpm, quiet and most importantly have a 5 year warranty. If you are doing RAID, then you should use RED drives though. They are basically desktop Black drives but with firmware tweaks to make the better suited to RAID.

[UltraLinx]

The workspace I have to work with only allows for an ITX case, unfortunately.

So from what I've seen I would be limited to the CoolerMaster or a BitFenix Prodigy Mini ITX Tower? (Any other suggestions are welcome)

Brilliant, that's the HD's decided on then - will put a couple of RED's on the list.