SFF for a NAS... and a dedicated server?

[Bossk128]

I'm currently using a ReadyNAS DUO as a NAS but I'm looking for a bit better performance (I also use it to stream media and as a SlimServer). I've also got an old desktop (socket A at 1.5GHz) used as the occasional game server (older games, NWN UT2004).

Can I combine the two? Is there a reason an ION board with a low power C2D and a couple of 1.5Tb rives wouldn't like to serve more modern games? I doubt the CPU load is intense, but disk activity may be high and RAM load would potentially be high.

I'd prefer to use a low power supply too (like the outboard 150W things). Obviously graphics can be as low as possible.

 

[lsg1r]

if all you want to do is server data rather than play the games (not quite sure how a game server works as I've never done one) I'd say you could get away with an atom 330 and ion based mitx board. Some even come with 4 sata and a pci-e slot so you could always add in a raid card if you wanted to offset the hd processing etc.

You could pick up a point of view 330 ion gf9400 based board (has pci express slot) for around £100 quid from a competitor, add in up to 4 sata hard drives (3 if you want optical), couple of sticks of ram and an os (linux maybe?) into a case of your choice (150w psu will be fine) and you would be good to go for around £500 tops.

 

[Bossk128]

Thanks. Looks like I got confused with the Zotac 775 board and the ION Atom boards. I'd be concerned that the Atom CPU wouldn't be much better than the one in my current NAS, and there is no way to upgrade it. I think I'd prefer a low speed C2D if possible, but those boards look like they are disappearing!

 

[lsg1r]

you could go the amd route if you feel the atom isn't enough, theres some jetway am2 boards which could give you access to the low power amd dual cores etc, probably work out cheaper than a c2d approach. Having said that I'm sure theres a c2d mitx on the site

edit: yep there is