Spec me a server - custom build

gman

gman

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Graham
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I need to build a new computer for someone I know which is acting as a file sharing server.

Here's the setup: Server computer connects directly to a wall mounted switch. There's about 7 computers accessing the network via a patch panel and into the switch. Current storage space on the server is about 20GB and it won't increase significantly so I'm thinking x2 SSD drives (may as well get the speed if I don't need the storage capacity) - one for the OS and one as the shared drive and also a third regular drive as a backup. I've got an external one for offsite backup also.

There's no particular budget, just good quality but not looking to put unnecessary components or spec'd items in. The server machine isn't used and just sits there on.

Here's the essential part though: cooling. It sits in a small room which isn't used for anything else except a little storage and gets very hot in there during summer with little ventilation in the room. I'm thinking a big case to allow airflow etc.

Any thoughts?

Also, is Windows 7 any good for file sharing as it's currently using XP?
 
SSD are wasted over a network.

hp microserver + ram upgrade + multiport NIC for port teaming. job done.

mine sits in a cupboard, albeit ventilated and never ever runs hot. i should also say that a big case doesnt necessarily mean it'll run cooler. if youre soaking the machine in hot air it'll run hot either way. you need airflow (i.e. fans and cool air) to aid cooling.

7 should be fine for sharing, you just need to make sure the "server" has all of the same local usernames/passwords as the clients.

moar microserver thread - http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=446804
 
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+1 on the microserver

If OS is an issue, consider one of the free Linux distros
 
Jeff Spangle said:
+1 on the microserver

If OS is an issue, consider one of the free Linux distros
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:agree: samba shares are more configurable IMHO than windows shares in a non-domain environment.
 
I was thinking big case so I could get cables out of the way and have decent airflow? How come SSD are wasted over a network?

I'm really looking to build something from scratch though.
 
Yup. 120Mbytes/sec is what you can max (and I mean MAX) out a Gbit interface. If you are doing lots of small accesses, SSDs may help (reduce access times) but a single modern HDD can stream at 120MBytes/sec (although you are getting close to its limit).

Airflow in the case isn't particularly important if the rest of the room is warm. Heatsinks provide a differential. Assume a heatsink provides a differential of 50 deg C when the CPU is running flat out. If the room it is in is 20 deg C, that means the CPU temp will be 70 deg C. If the room temp is 40 deg C, the CPU temp at the same load will be 90 deg C....

If I were building from scratch and a microserver were out, I'd be looking at something like the i5-4570S (S parts are 65W) as I'd end up using it to do other things. For a server, you could probably get away with one of the cheaper AMD fusion devices.

Depends on budget and expandability requirements. 20G shared via a single Ethernet port is pretty low spec stuff really.
 
Cheers all. You can be hitting well over 30 degrees in the room, would liquid cooling be an option? Or perhaps those factory sealed liquid cooled heat sinks etc?
 
gman said:
Cheers all. You can be hitting well over 30 degrees in the room, would liquid cooling be an option? Or perhaps those factory sealed liquid cooled heat sinks etc?
Click to expand...
Get a low enough power CPU and it isn't an issue.

You really don't need much horsepower for sharing 20G of storage space...
 
Hmmm, custom build coming in at over £800 when that HP thingy is under £300. Can things be changed easy enough in the HP one?
 
gman said:
Cheers all. You can be hitting well over 30 degrees in the room, would liquid cooling be an option? Or perhaps those factory sealed liquid cooled heat sinks etc?
Click to expand...

30c is easy, my spare room has been well over that recently.

unless youre hammering the CPU then standard HSF should be fine, the HP actually doesnt use a CPU fan persay it uses the rear fan to pull air over a HS.

gman said:
Hmmm, custom build coming in at over £800 when that HP thingy is under £300. Can things be changed easy enough in the HP one?
Click to expand...

like?

memory is upgradable. drives are upgradable. couple of PCI slots (varies between models).
 
I was thinking about popping one of those dual network cards in it?


THIS ONE to be specific.
 
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