ultra low energy home server ?

negger · 17 Apr 2009 at 20:54

Looking to build my first server and i want it to be able to serve hd video files to four popcorn hour media players throughout my home.

so far i've looked at the following components -

Intel D945GCLF2D dual core atom itx motherboard
2 no. Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (WD20EADS)

i'm not sure about the power supply but i've seen this -Akasa AK-P040FG8-BKUK 400W Green Power 80+ Power Supply - but it seems a bit hefty for this kind of set up.

the server will be on 24/7 so i don't mind buying expensive kit if it will pay for it's self with low power consumption over time.

any advice welcome.

negger · 17 Apr 2009 at 21:23

thanks for the reply - interesting thread, and the power consumptions not that bad, but i'm after a server that could perhaps half the power of his htpc when idle perhaps even lower if thats possible.

negger · 19 Apr 2009 at 20:41

wild9 / cybergeek - just what i wanted to hear, i've read a lot of reviews regarding the dual core atom being underpowered etc but none that have said it can make a cracking server. i've looked at tranquils servers which are based on this motherboard cpu combo and they appear to get good reviews but are a bit expensive for me.

i think i've narrowed my build down as follows -

Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA-II 32MB Cache £250.69
Microsoft Windows Home Server 32-Bit £81.64
Netgear GS608 8-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch £50.59
Coolermaster Elite 334 Case - Black (No PSU) £28.74
Intel D945GCLF2D dual core atom 330 itx motherboard £78.51 (seen for £62.00 but out of stock)
PicoPSU-120 £30.96
ACDC-12V/110W power brick £31.36
Startech Quad SATA card - Add 4x internal SATA ports using the PCI slot £35.45
2gb memory stick £20.00

Total £600 ish

just not sure about the western digital 2tb hd at that price it's not really value for money, perhaps a pair of wd 1tb greens to start with and save £100.00 ?

negger · 21 Apr 2009 at 17:40

wild9 / just what i was thinking with the hard drives, i know i originally posted 'ultra low energy' but in a year or so i bet those 2tb hd's are down to the 1tb prices.

encephalopathy / i put gigabit down just to be on the safe side - along with the 4 popcorn hours i'm also having music on demand to 5 rooms, though i know i'll only have half the stuff running at any one time max. btw do you have problems with both your gs608s, perhaps i should look at a different make as the server and switches are going out of the way and i think it would get a real pain if i had to keep reseting them.