Build Advice Server Cases

Hi all,

I'm looking for a case for a Windows Home Server, that has 3 3.5" HDD spaces, and space for at least an ATX sized Motherboard.

Also, i need advice on the Motherboard, CPU and PSU (like what wattage?)

Cheers

I-E-D

 

The buyer's guide on the main site is a good place to start.

For only 3 HDD's you don't need a "server" case, nearly any reasonably-sized case will take a minimum of 4 HDD's, often a lot more if you use a drive-bay converter.

A server doesn't need to be powerful either, something like an Athlon XP or A64 would do.

 

All depends on budget/main uses etc.
Give that information and people will be better able to help you get what you want.

 

I only said server case, because that's all i could think of.

I realise that the CPU doesn't have to be powerful, and was wondering whether i should go with Intel or AMD?

I'm going to get a 1.5TB HDD and 2/4GB of Ram, probally 2.

Would a 350w PSU be good enough?

Slizza, what more can i give apart from budget which is £300/400

 

Also, where can i get a manufactorers edition of the Windows Home Server OS?

 

What is it going to be used for? 2GB of RAM is far too much just for a fileserver.

 

For a home server anything will do. Any case will do from ebuyer, most of the sub £20.00 ones have 5x3.5" drives. I'd go for a second hand CPU from ebay as it really doesn't have to be powerful at all. You'll probably be able to find a very cheap Pentium 4 or Celeron (LGA775) on ebay that will do the trick. 1gb of RAM is more than enough for Windows Home Server and so is a 350W PSU.

I have Windows Home Server running on a Pentium 4 (2.8ghz), 1gb DDR2 533mhz and a 350W PSU with about 6 different hard disks and it runs fine as a file server.

 

Cool, thanks. I also plan to attach 2 printers (one black and white laser and one all in one colour), does that mean i'll have to get more ram? And maybe a bit of remote access, i dunno.

Also, if i plan to (maybe) use it as a gaming server as well, do i need to do anything differently?

Once i have a shopping list, i'll post it up, and tell me what you think please?

 

Case
PSU
RAM
CPU
HDD
Motherboard

I'll borrow a GPU and Disk Drive from the family's existing machine, or force my dad to buy me a GTX 275 and a Bluray drive

 

Bump?

 

Honestly for what your planning on doing you don't need anything fancy. I've started to put put my home network in order.

One PC as a file server w/6xHDDS an AMD 3800 64 with XP Pro w/2 GB of RAM. Works a treat, make sure you have a gigabit network switch/router, you'll find it a lot faster for video playback.

Regards
GiGo

 

That list will work fine, and give you a pretty beefy server that'll do nearly anything.

 

Cheers, will it be able to host a game like Crysis?

 

With an E5200, certainly. It's not like you're actually running it, graphics and all

 

Nice, thanks everyone.