Mini ITX i3 for Linux server - first time build

otoh

otoh

otoh

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I'm looking to make a Mini-iTX PC to use as a Linux server - I currently have an old Mac Mini doing the job, so I'm happy to keep it as a SFF PC - I don't need any fancy high-end server stuff, but it will be running 24/7 so reliability is more important than performance. My spec is roughly:

  • Mini ITX board
  • Intel Core i3 (eg 3220)
  • Case to take 1 or 2 drives, inc eg 1TB Caviar Black (always had better luck with WD)
  • Possibly optical drive (will put one in if the case supports it; if I find a good case that doesn't I may give up on it)
  • 4 or 8GB RAM

I've done lots of hardware repairs and upgrades before - going as far as replacing logic boards on various Mac laptops - but this is my first time to build a PC from scratch so am a bit vague about some specifics, eg:

  • Other than it being the same socket as the processor - eg 1155 seems to be the common one - does my choice of MB have much bearing on anything? Any that are particularly known for good (or bad) reliability?
  • How do I figure out what size of PSU I need? (And as above re reliability?)
  • With my choice of processor, do I need any additional cooling - and does it have any impact on the size of case I choose?
  • What other bits will I need to order - eg what (if any) cables do cases/MBs usually come with and would I need any thermal paste for the processor?
  • Any extra things to consider when targeting Linux rather than Windows?

Any advice on the above - or anything that I'm glaringly missing - much appreciated!
 
Intel 1155. All boards / systems you buy these days shouldn't have much of a problem or reliability issues for linux.

Are you going to be using Ubuntu Linux Server 12.10 ?
 
Well if you go with WD Scorpio drives (i.e. 2.5" ones) you can go really small if you want.

I've currently looking at a tiny web server comprised of:

MSI H61I-E35
Celeron G550 2.6GHz
Avexir Core 8GB 1600MHz
Crucial V4 32GB SATA-II SSD
Hitachi GST Travelstar 500GB
Antec ISK110 (includes 90W brick)

Just shy of £280

No optical drive though, but I won't need one. Stock Intel cooler, but it's so quiet on my Pentium G850 I don't see it being an issue.


If you want the optical drive, you could get the Streacom ST-F1CB EVO and a slot-loaded drive, but you've also need a Pico PSU too. Still fits 2 2.5" drives if your cooler is short enough though.
 
Many thanks all for your helpful replies, much appreciated. Some clarification

iP0werSav3 said:
Are you going to be using Ubuntu Linux Server 12.10 ?
Click to expand...

I'll probably be running Zentyal, which is an Ubuntu-based small business server. It's 12.04 based, since that's a LTS. Hopefully that will work out of the box with most MBs...

LePhuronn said:
Well if you go with WD Scorpio drives (i.e. 2.5" ones) you can go really small if you want.
Click to expand...

I originally thought the 3.5" for capacity, speed & reliability - this will be running as, among other things, a file server for maybe 8 people. But if the Scorpio drives are good, I could probably get away with the 750GB, as long as I've got space for another if I need it! But the Sugo SG05 looks good - it takes a 3.5" and a 2.5" which could be handy.

You mentioned fit of cooler - I am assuming the CPU comes with one, which I'll fit in addition to the case fan? How do I know what fits in what case? And how do I figure out what PSU I need? Sorry for such basic questions - this is a bit new to me!
 
If you buy a retail CPU then yes there's a basic cooler with it. Most of the time they're pants though, but if your CPU is low-enough power it won't stress the Intel basic cooler much (certainly my Pentium G850 even at full whack never exceeds 50 degrees so the stock cooler doesn't get noisy).

As for the PSU, it depends on your case. If you're running a basic CPU and a couple of hard drives then you won't need too much - the 90W brick that comes with the Antec ISK110 will be plenty for CPU and 2 2.5" drives (all you can fit in the case). The 300W in the Sugo SG05 has a couple of SATA power, couple of Molex and a 6-pin PCI-E so will be PLENTY for what you want.
 
LePhuronn said:
If you buy a retail CPU then yes there's a basic cooler with it. Most of the time they're pants though, but if your CPU is low-enough power it won't stress the Intel basic cooler much

The 300W in the Sugo SG05 has a couple of SATA power, couple of Molex and a 6-pin PCI-E so will be PLENTY for what you want.
Click to expand...

HUGE thanks for your help and advice, much appreciated! It's really helped me slot things together in my head. Have decided on:
Intel Core i3 3220
WD Caviar Black 1TB
Kingston HyperX Grey 2x4GB
Asus P8H77-I
Sugo SG05

Went up on the MB a bit since I wanted USB3 for backup drives; and went for the 3.5" HDD since I want it fast and reliable as I'll be using it as a file server. But the CPU usage should be modest, so hopefully the stock cooler will be OK - and the SG05 has a fan too, which I guess should help.

Again, much appreciated!
 
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The only other thing I would suggest you check out is the low power versions of the i3.

I have an i3-2120T running in my server to reduce heat, noise and power consumption.

Unless you are doing anything extremely CPU intensive, the performance should be great.

Cheers, Des.
 
DesG said:
The only other thing I would suggest you check out is the low power versions of the i3.

I have an i3-2120T running in my server to reduce heat, noise and power consumption.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! Alas I had already got my 3220 by the time I saw it :| But this is going in a wiring cabinet, so I'm not too worried about fan noise etc. But assuming this goes OK, I may make some similar machines for desktops, so will consider the 2120 for those - thanks again!
 
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