home server poweredge replacement spec

m_cozzy · 30 Jun 2007 at 12:51

I run a server at home for 2003, exchange, multiple virtual machines, fileserver etc etc.
I have had a dell poweredge 1600sc dual xeon with a raid5 1.5tb array for quite a while now which was fine if a little loud + getting on a bit. I recently changed this for a poweredge sc440 (which I got new for a very good price!)with a pentium d but the problem is it only has 2 hard drive slots & rather than bodge in another 2 disks I though I may sell it and use the funds from this + the 1600 + the raid card to buy a new server which is up to the task.
So assuming about £400 I have come up with the spec below. Stability is the key here, not overclocking hence the intel mobo. The case jumped out as being reasonably priced, 5 drive bays with active cooling + a psu included.
Any comments or opinions

Asus GeForce EN7100GS 512MB Turbo Cache DDR2 TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail £24.99
(£29.36) £24.99
(£29.36)
Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 "LGA775 Allendale" 2.00GHz (800FSB) - Retail Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 "LGA775 Allendale" 2.00GHz (800FSB) - Retail £73.99
(£86.94) £73.99
(£86.94)
Antec NSK6500 Super Midi Tower Case - 430W PSU Antec NSK6500 Super Midi Tower Case - 430W PSU £58.99
(£69.31) £58.99
(£69.31)
Crucial 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C5 Dual Channel Kit (CT2KIT12864AA667) Crucial 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C5 Dual Channel Kit (CT2KIT12864AA667) £42.99
(£50.51) £85.98
(£101.02)
Intel DP965LT 965 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard - Retail Intel DP965LT 965 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard - Retail £59.99
(£70.49) £59.99
(£70.49)
Sub Total : £303.94

stickroad · 30 Jun 2007 at 13:37

Hey m_cozzy, if your on a low budget and your not overclocking go AMD, AMD offer slightly better price/performance ratio if your only spending a few hundred pounds.

This should do you fine:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4600+ 2.40GHz (Socket AM2) - Retail
Asrock ALiveSATA2-GLAN (Socket AM2) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C5 800MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
Asus GeForce EN7300TC 512MB DDR TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Antec NSK6500 Super Midi Tower Case - 430W PSU

£280.71

m_cozzy · 30 Jun 2007 at 14:15

Thanks for your input

I have never had an amd system before so know very little about them. Is the faster geil 6400 nessesary for amd? as it £5 more than the crucial 5300 I spec'ed, well £10 actually as I will buy 2 x 2gb kits.
That asrock board is a big saving though compared to intel, good stability on these boards?
I will have to check out amd more thoroughly.

stickroad · 30 Jun 2007 at 14:20

m_cozzy said:
Thanks for your input
I have never had an amd system before so know very little about them. Is the faster geil 6400 nessesary for amd? as it £5 more than the crucial 5300 I spec'ed, well £10 actually as I will buy 2 x 2gb kits.
That asrock board is a big saving though compared to intel, good stability on these boards?
I will have to check out amd more thoroughly.

The 6400 Memory will help slightly, the spec i done for you is under budget so no reason not to get the 6400.

To tell you the truth if your keeping everything at stock you wouldn't notice the difference between a £40 board and a £140 board. If your overclocking well thats a different ball game.