Low Power Home Server Spec Needed

RedTen · 31 Oct 2009 at 09:48

As title really.

I need something reliable, doesnt have to be a power house but I'd like quick access to media and downloads and plenty of space for backups.

The biggest factor is low power consumption.

As for budget. Id like to say 400 at the very max but I'd hope I dont have to go anywhere near that..?

(Budget doesnt include OS btw)

Thanks for any suggestions!

Kelah · 31 Oct 2009 at 10:20

Does it need to be a server if you are just using it for media and downloading, have you considered a NAS?

RedTen · 31 Oct 2009 at 11:30

Kelah said:
Does it need to be a server if you are just using it for media and downloading, have you considered a NAS?

Its going to be for restores too. Plus i like the capabilities of WHS.

Bry · 31 Oct 2009 at 12:12

Do a google for Tranquil BBS2 (barebones2)

it sounds like it would meet your requirements and is what I use and find it fantastic

RedTen · 31 Oct 2009 at 12:37

It looks good but it seems a lot of money, considering I'd need to buy the drives on top. Having had a look at WHS requirements I could do make with an old skt939 build.

Shame I've got nothing laying around..

ringo747 · 4 Nov 2009 at 20:47

Bry said:
Do a google for Tranquil BBS2 (barebones2)

it sounds like it would meet your requirements and is what I use and find it fantastic

Do you use the BBS2 with WHS or something like FreeNAS?

asm495 · 4 Nov 2009 at 21:09

Have a look at getting a dual core Atom motherboard combined with a PCI SATA controller card. Will be very low power and support lots of storage.

Rinseout · 5 Nov 2009 at 00:10

asm495 said:
Have a look at getting a dual core Atom motherboard combined with a PCI SATA controller card. Will be very low power and support lots of storage.

+1

asm495 · 5 Nov 2009 at 08:50

Here's a basic spec. Add a case/PSU of your choice and have a look on some popular auction sites for PCI SATA controllers with 4 ports. Gives you 3TB of storage and in a very low power setup for £400.

Presuming you only use the 5 bays in the backplane then it gives you an extra 3 HD spots to fill. Personally I would put one main HD on the internal rack which you install the OS on and keep the backplane for expansion. I would also recommend permanently keeping one slot on the backplane empty for each upgrade (add new hard disk into empty slot and then remove the smallest capacity drive and sell).

Icy Box IB-555SSK 5-Bay SATA/SAS Hard Drive Backplane £96.99
(£84.34) £96.99
(£84.34)
Samsung EcoGreen F2 1.5TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD154UI) £72.99
(£63.47) £145.98
(£126.94)
Gigabyte GA-GC330UD Intel Atom 330 Mini-ITX DDR2 Motherboard £65.99
(£57.38) £65.99
(£57.38)
Crucial Value 2GB (1x2GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C6 Single Module (CT25664AA800) £27.99
(£24.34) £27.99
(£24.34)
Sub Total : £293.00
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £10.00
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £45.45
Total : £348.45

jbloggs · 5 Nov 2009 at 10:32

I went with:

Asus Vintage V2-P5G45 Barebones

Intel Celeron E3200

2GBs (2 x 1GB) OCZ PC2-6400 ram

WHS

Already had a few HDD lying around, but if you're buying now, then 1.5TB EcoGreen F2s...