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Build Advice Custom home server or microserver

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by chrisc1277, 16 May 2014.

  1. chrisc1277

    chrisc1277 Minimodder

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    So here is the thing.

    I’ve had enough with my dlink 320 NAS box and I like the idea of building a home server.

    I’ve got 2 ideas, but I’m a little bit stuck with deciding what to do.

    For (roughly) the same price, I can either build one from parts I have chosen and already own, or buy one of these hp microservers I have heard a lot about.

    If I were to build one, I would be looking at the following;

    AMD Athlon 5350 AM1
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/amd-athlon-5350-kabini-quad-core-am1-205ghz-2mb-25w-retail

    ASRock AM1B-ITX
    http://www.cclonline.com/product/14...N-Integrated-AMD-Radeon-R3-Graphics-/MBD1325/

    8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333Mhz
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-...66-(1333)-non-ecc-unbuffered-cas-9-9-9-24-15v

    Corsair CXM 430W
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/430w...rid-modular-85-eff-80-plus-bronze-eps-12v-atx

    Fractal Design Node 304
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/frac...te-mini-itx-case-with-usb-30-w-o-psu-(std-atx)

    1 x ssd and 2 WD 2tb green caviars I already own.

    If I was to get a microserver id bee looking at the HP ProLiant MicroServer G7 N54L

    http://www.ebuyer.com/616877-hp-pro...1p-4gb-u-non-hot-plug-sata-150w-ps-744900-421

    Things I would be using it for are;

    File storage internal network and accessed from internet.
    Media server / Stream to other pcs
    Downloads
    Possibly teamspeak server.
    backup
    My SQL
    vpn??
    potentially home automation

    Id like the option to try other things on it.
    Id like it to be low on power consumption as well (who doesn’t).

    Let me know your thoughts.
     
  2. GeorgeK

    GeorgeK Swinging the banhammer Super Moderator

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    Personally I'd go for a microserver but wait for the cashback offer to come back on - it comes around every couple of months and brings the effective price of the microserver to closer to £100 :)
     
  3. chrisc1277

    chrisc1277 Minimodder

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    Cheers, George. Do you own one?
     
  4. GeorgeK

    GeorgeK Swinging the banhammer Super Moderator

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    I certainly do - it's an older model now (N36L I believe) but it's an excellent bit of kit :thumb:
     
  5. Mister_Tad

    Mister_Tad Will work for nuts Super Moderator

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    Microserver IMO, but I thought that the cashback offers were all done now on account of the G7 being EoA?

    If that's the case, IMO you're better off with £120 more for a G8 model.
     
  6. chrisc1277

    chrisc1277 Minimodder

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    You wouldn't by any chance know what sort of power consumption it has could you? Also, what sort of things do you use yours for?
     
  7. chrisc1277

    chrisc1277 Minimodder

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    Those g8's are a lot more money. More than building from the parts above. Would you say these micro servers have advantages over custom builds?
     
  8. SchizoFrog

    SchizoFrog What's a Dremel?

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    If you are going to buy a MicroServer, get it from ServerPlus which was recommended to me from Gareth the last time Bit-Tech did a NAS box review. He went in to quite a lot of detail about it's benefits. It's also currently cheaper by the looks of it (approx £187 including delivery). I also just got my cashback cheque from HP too making mine cost a fabulous £97 and as they are still selling the G7 I would imagine the cashback will return at some point.

    http://www.serversplus.com/servers/tower_servers/hp_tower_servers/704941-421
     
  9. GeorgeK

    GeorgeK Swinging the banhammer Super Moderator

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    That could well be the case - I haven't been keeping up with these tbh...

    I don't but I'll try and remember later on / tomorrow to hook mine up to my power meter thingy to let you know. I use mine as a file server - it runs WHS2011 so can be accessed remotely using a web link. Using the lights out extension it turns itself on daily and serves files to my PC / my wifes and also hosts music / video which we watch through the HTPC in the living room.
     
  10. samkiller42

    samkiller42 For i AM Cheesecake!!

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  11. RichCreedy

    RichCreedy Hey What Who

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    I have 2 HP microserver n54l's they are perfectly good, they aren't speed monsters being based on amd turion II neon, 1 has 6GB ram the other 16GB. they hold 4 drives as standard, but can hold more with a bit of playing.
     
  12. chrisc1277

    chrisc1277 Minimodder

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    Thanks chaps, seems like a micro server it is. how much RAM would you guys recommend? also what OS do people use? im swaying towards Freenas, but ideally id like WHB2011. cant seem to get hold of it though...
     
  13. Mister_Tad

    Mister_Tad Will work for nuts Super Moderator

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    There's a G1610t model on Amazon for £320, though I've not looked in to the seller.

    Main advantage of the G8 over the G7 is the socketed CPU, which can be swapped out for any range of IB based Xeons.

    IMO the main advantages over a home brew server is pre-boot ILO and ECC memory. Granted you can get these things on components for a custom build, but they will end up costing you a great deal more than even the G8.
     

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