Help spec me a cheap fileserver

doogs

doogs

doogs

Associate
Joined
26 Oct 2007
Posts
208
Hi,
I've been thinking for some time now to build a fileserver. I have a spec in mind but, it's waaay over specified. I'd like to hear what others come up with before going ahead and making a final decision on parts.

Here's the remit...

- must be cheap (I'm thinking less than £400, much less if at all possible)
- I'll be using Linux (Xubuntu) so, no OS is required
- The server will be running headless so, no mouse, keyboard or monitor required
- I'm hoping to use a new Lanbox Lite case (sff) that I have which limits mobo choice to micro atx or mini atx. Although, I'm open to alternative suggestions.
- I'd prefer it to be quiet but, its not a primary consideration
- I'd prefer onboard graphics, given that its just going to be a server

I would like a spec for the following:
- motherboard
- cpu
- cpu cooler
- hdd 1 for OS (size? no idea)
- hdd 2 and hdd 3 (both identical 500GB which, I'll use RAID 1 for data)
- dvdrw drive
- psu (prefer modular to keep case tidy but, not essential)
- ram (1GB minimum though, 2GB might be preferable)

Cheers,
Doogs
 
Here ya' go:
overclockersukyourbaskexd0.gif

This should do nicely. That PSU should be more than capable. It's a bit overkill but it was the cheapest modular PSU OcUK had in stock.

If I were buying I'd shop around for the ADA3800CUBOX, the 35W version of the X2 3800+. It uses less power so it'll end up costing less to run over the life of the machine.
 
Last edited:
No way in heck you'll require 2 gigs of RAM.
My server copes perfectly on 512mb, thats running an internal webserver (PHP, CGI plus a couple of other bits), file serving, print serving & downloading (Amule & Azureus), RAM in use tends to hover around 380- 400mb.
The processor is also way over spec, but thats irrelevant really :)



Add drives to suit, no difference in them really if its going in a cupboard as opposed to on your desk.

I'd also highly recommend picking up a cheap & nasty black or similar full-sized case, as three HDDs in there is going to get pretty toasty.

FWIW, this is my spec:
Athlon64 3200+
Epox S754 mobo of some description
512mb RAM
1x 20gb HDD (Ancient, has OS on it)
4x 160gb HDD
1x 500gb HDD
Dual Gigabit LAN (1x onboard, 1x PCI card)
Ancient junk case ;)

-Leezer-
 
I agree that you don't need 2 GiB RAM, but since it's so cheap why the heck not.

If I were buying I'd probably get the RAM you have there, leezer.

I, however, would most certainly go the AMD route since they're cheaper; 104.55 for your combo, 91.63 for mine.

Heck, any old P3 with 128 MiB RAM will do the job just fine, really. ;)
 
True, but my C2D spec would have better overall performance & IMHO better value :p
Swings and roundabouts really- You're not going to see any real difference over a cheap box with a load of HDDs bunged in, unless you start to do more with this than just serve files.

I'd also highly recommend a gigabit LAN switch if you don't already have one, will make things seem that bit more smooth.

-Leezer-
 
Thanks for the responses so far.
I tend to agree with the recommendations put forward however, I'm not sure what the server might expand into in the future. One of the main reasons for doing this is to try and limit data loss (I had a hdd die on one pc, losing all data for the last year - last time it was backed up was 12 months ago doh!)

Apart from serving files to the rest of the pc's in the house, what others tasks might one employ a server for?

Cheers,
Doogs
 
Lots of things, really. I use mine to run Folding@Home. You could put a capture card in it and use it as a MythTV backend. You could install Apache on it and host your own web sites. You could put some game servers on it and host your own games.
 
Would I need to up the specs much to do some of these other tasks?
I'm not thinking about it immediately but, it might be useful in the future.
 
Just a suggestion, something im personally looking to do

Iv got a Q6600 for my 'bits n bobs server' and a 4gb RAM. It's a bit overkill, but I have some files I read/write a lot

It might be an idea to setup a RAM disk - a virtual HD literally loaded in the RAM with some of your HD where you can store stuff that needs to read/written to a lot; and not hugely important / can be written to disk every x time.

Is just a passing idea :) I mean it would make the 1gb conn closer to 100mb/s
 
get some cheap single core parts from ebay.. a amd venice single core will be cool and quiet + use little power... You dont need loads of cpu power for a fileserver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom