buy new parts or re use older ones

Ch3m1c4L

Ch3m1c4L

Ch3m1c4L

Soldato
Joined
11 Oct 2007
Posts
3,224
Location
London, UK
Hi,
Im speccing up a home server, will mainly be a file server/download box. I might end up putting something like Plex streaming server on it, and it will be used to store backup images etc, and then have the whole thing mirrored off site. It might get used to host some voip or low resource dedicated game clients occasionally (terraria, mumble etc), nothing high end though as im not building it for that.

I will be having 8 x 2tb drives in one array (got a raid card), SSD for boot, one drive for downloading onto, then potential 4 drives on the onboard controller for another array int he future.

Wont be serving more than 5 users at any one time. LAN and WAN uses. Most data intensive task will probably be streaming.

I have a q6600, msi skt 775 board, 700w ocz PSU, 4gb ddr 3, win 7 pro license, gtx 470 (obv will need a low power gpu instead) and all the hard drives.

I am wondering whether when idle, this machine will be much less efficient than a new i3/5 system with 8gb ram on a z97 board, using integrated graphics, and whether it would be up to the task of transcoding if I end up using plex.I was thinking to start off low end (pentium dual core or i3), then if I get plex/decide I want to use it for rendering out footage instead of my main rig, I could upgrade it to i5/i7 later?

It will probably sit in a Raven 03, unless I find something I like better/is a lot more silent. Will most likely be air cooled with slow spinning fans, n overclocking.

Also, is it worth me using a different OC, or is Win 7 pro fine to use? I am considering using iSCSI if it wont cost me anything other than set up time (only got told what this was today).

Edit, I have Gbit LAN and 80/20 fibre if it makes a difference.
 
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Ok, well Ive bought a z87 gd65, fractal define xl, SSD, 8gb ram.
Looking to get an i5 4670k in order to run several PLEX 1080 p streams concurrently.

Not sure where to put it, I figure my closet without any airflow will be a bad place (its rented so I cant modify). So probably randomly in the front room, hence the fractal defin case for silence, and anti vibration on most drives.

Still not sure whether to bother with windows server or just use win 7 pro.
 
I recently did similar (though with Linux and zfs). I was tempted to use an old server from work for free but decided to buy new kit as the power saved was quite a lot.

I've found it's ok in a large cupboard - cupboard temp gets to about 31C so not too bad. You might want to give it a try but keep an eye on temps.

Google found that hdd's are most reliable when kept a bit warmer so the cupboard temp actually helps (6x 3TBs all in the high 30's).
 
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Ch3m1c4L said:
Ok, well Ive bought a z87 gd65, fractal define xl, SSD, 8gb ram.
Looking to get an i5 4670k in order to run several PLEX 1080 p streams concurrently.

Still not sure whether to bother with windows server or just use win 7 pro.
Click to expand...

I use a i3 in my server and it handles at least 4 concurrent 1080p streams easily. Also it's lower wattage makes it better energy saver against a i5. I use windows server for the os as I can use remote easily and not bother with mouse,keyboard or monitor on the server unit. I have mine in a cupboard in the garage with airflow (3x120 fans) and it's fine in temps from 30 degrees to 5 degrees (cupboard with server drops to about 10 inside and a max of 31 in summer)
 
Thanks guys. Will look at some i3s. Buying from mm, so its whatever comes up at a good price.
Once built I will see temps, then test in cupboard if its cool enough to start. I too read that google study :)
 
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