Spec me a sever

Domo · 29 Jan 2016 at 15:40

32GB RAM. 8 cores (physical, not HT).
Need a list of components. Will be running Windows server OS.

Need to keep costs down.

I browsed the components on the OC web site and I don't know what goes with what if that makes sense. Been years since I built a gaming rig (this isn't for gaming mind!).

Thanks.

blueacid · 29 Jan 2016 at 22:32

What's the requirement? Is it just something for home, or is it for work? With a server, chances are you'll want reliability and redundancy, so the chances are high you'd be better off buying a pre-configured one if it's for commercial use... but if it's for a home lab then building your own could have course be cheaper

Domo · 30 Jan 2016 at 00:43

Kind of half way between the two. Need to run application software on it for pre-sales demos, so not a production environment as such. Currently using Amazon EC2 but the software vendor's hardware requirements have just been raised significantly. The EC2 costs soar when you approach this configuration.

The server will host SQL, app Sevices and IIS to serve web pages.

Appreciate what you say with regards to redundancy and everything else - we're simply putting all options on the table for now.

BlizzardX · 30 Jan 2016 at 04:27

If you want a pre-built proper server then ebay UK should hold a number of ex-lease LGA1366 dual cpu servers which would be fine, either in tower or rack format.

I personally use Dell R410s/710s for my homelab as they provide value for the ex-lease price and being the nahelem/westmere gen they are actually power efficient; my Dell R410 uses no more than 120W with 8 cores/16 threads plus 32GB DDR3 Rdimms and 2 7.2K HDDs.

Perhaps it might be useful to know if you're after a feature set; e.g. number of NICs, remote access, etc.