Spec me a server for windows server 2003

[Psycho Sonny]

THIS MUST RUN WINDOWS SERVER 2003

Processor: - Intel Dual Core E2200 2.20Ghz or is there a better cheaper cpu? (wont be overclocking)
Memory :- 4GB RAM (any really just need good cheap ram)
2 x SATA Hard Disks each around 100 GB each (wont be holding vast amounts of information, its for a shop's epos system)
DVD/RW (cheap)
Floppy Disk (cheap)
Cheap graphics card that supports windows 2003 server or one built into motherboard
MotherBoard that can support Windows 2003 Server
Mouse :- cheap as chips
Keyboard :- Cheap as Chips
case with plently of cooling (MAX) - Including Dust covers - i was thinking about the antec 900 - but last time i tried to fit the dust covers on one of these it was a complete failure - so i need a case with as good or better cooling but with dust covers already installed

 

[Jimathy]

If you shop around you can buy a big brand entry level server that surpasses your spec for not much more than £400 including a 3 year next day onsite warranty.

Sorry to sound dull, but your not going to be doing anyone any favors if you build it yourself, least of all yourself if you run into any issues or any of the hardware fails.

Remember. If you build the server, it goes bang and you can't repair it quickly, your in the $£$^. If <Insert Manufacture Here> builds the server, it goes bang and they can't repair it quickly, they're in the $%@.

I would only ever consider building myself at server to have at home, with a business there can be too much at stake.

 

[sprognak]

I've just done this for my new storage/login/company server

Here's what I used:

Asus P5K Pro Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Akasa AK-ZEN-01-BK Zen Black Case - No PSU
Intel Core 2 Duo E2200 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.20GHz (800FSB) - Retail
OcUK GeForce 8400 GS 256MB DDR2 HDTV/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 (OCZ2G8004GK)
4x Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103UJ)
OCZ StealthXStream 500w Silent ATX2 Power Supply
Samsung SH-S202JBEBN 20x DVD±RW IDE Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM

Total cost was £641.89 + VAT - but bear in mind that's got 4Tb (3Tb in RAID-5) of storage.

Finished installing 2003 Server R2 64 Bit edition about 10 minutes ago, had some trouble with the system BSODing on the install, but flash of the latest bios and using the latest image drives for the ICH9 Intel Matrix RAID fixed that.

If you're not planning raid, it's an easy build, if you are going to use raid then I'd suggest getting an extra hard drive to sit outside the array for bootup. Getting Intel Matrix Raid to flag a RAID-5 array as bootable is a pain in the arse. I ended up doodling down to my local... loathed, hated PC shop and shelling out £45 for a crappy 250Gb drive lol...

 

[sprognak]

Oh and btw, I'd self build over a "branded" server any day of the week. Only exception is if I'm using rackmount gear or it isn't for me (ie, for a client) - then it's branded and warrantied!

For my own company, I'll self build every day until I convince the wife to let me have a full height rack in the office

 

[Jimathy]

First thing I'd ask is if it's for a shops epos system is "Whats their daily turnover"? Then spec something with raid/warranty as necessary.

I know for a fact that there is nothing a shop owner hates more is to be unable to take peoples money off them because the server that young Johnny built for us before he went off to college is down and I don't know who to call.

Sure build them for yourself but for someone else, even family/friends, never.

 

[sprognak]

Missed the part about the shops EPOS system.

Get a branded warrantied system. Make sure it has a DVD burner (their backups won't go over one DVD imo). Make sure it has RAID-1 (Mirroring).