Stereodude
Not really a
Ok, so I need to build a inexpensive but solid server. This will either replace my backup server or replace my primary server (which will then become my backup server).
Current Backup Server:
P4-3gHz w/ HT
2GB RAM
3ware PATA raid card with 2TB RAID-5 array
PATA OS HD
On-board 8MB ATI Rage graphics
Windows XP Pro
Runs ~15 minutes a day (at 2am).
Current Primary Server:
Core2Duo E5200
4GB RAM
Gigabyte mobo with 2 PCIe-x16 slots (solid caps + all that jazz)
Dell Perc 6i raid card with 9TB RAID-6 array
2x1GB RAID-1 array on Gigabyte/Jmicron SATA controller (OS + some other stuff)
PCI graphics card
Windows XP x64
Runs 24/7
The reason for this upgrade is that the 2TB RAID-5 array in the backup server is nearing full and I have no viable upgrade path for that machine. It has a 64bit PCI slots, but no PCIe slots.
My first preference is to build a totally new inexpensive machine from scratch that will get the Dell Perc 6i raid card with a 9TB RAID-6 array (8 x 1.5GB) from the primary server and the primary server will get a "new" Dell Perc 6i raid card with a 12TB RAID-6 array (8 x 2GB). This means I just need pretty much the cheapest robust mobo + CPU solution with a single PCIe x16 slot (for a Dell Perc 6i). Power consumption is not very important since the machine runs ~15 minutes a day.
I assume this is an AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 solution with a single PCIe x16 slot, built in gigabit LAN, on-board graphics + 2GB of RAM in a case that can accommodate 10 3.5" HD's + optical drive and a power supply that's up to the task.
I haven't built an AMD solution in 4 years, so I have no idea what I should be looking at in terms of chipset or motherboard brand. I don't need much, but I want something that's robust, has on board graphics, has a single PCIe x16 slot, on board gigabit LAN, supports RAID-1 (for OS drive).
Suggestions?
Case: ?
Motherboard: ?
CPU: Cheapest dual core AM2/AM2+/AM3 CPU
Power Supply: I've had good luck with the Seasonic built Corsair units, so I'd start looking there
RAM: Cheap, but well reviewed 2x1GB DDR2 (or DDR3 if necessary)
The alternative scenario is to try to get an inexpensive Intel Core i3/i5 system with dual PCIe x16 slots (to allow for two PCIe RAID cards), built in gigabit LAN, and on-board/on-chip graphics + 4GB of RAM + case + PS to replace the current primary server trying to minimize power consumption, but I assume this is a much more expensive path to go down.
Current Backup Server:
P4-3gHz w/ HT
2GB RAM
3ware PATA raid card with 2TB RAID-5 array
PATA OS HD
On-board 8MB ATI Rage graphics
Windows XP Pro
Runs ~15 minutes a day (at 2am).
Current Primary Server:
Core2Duo E5200
4GB RAM
Gigabyte mobo with 2 PCIe-x16 slots (solid caps + all that jazz)
Dell Perc 6i raid card with 9TB RAID-6 array
2x1GB RAID-1 array on Gigabyte/Jmicron SATA controller (OS + some other stuff)
PCI graphics card
Windows XP x64
Runs 24/7
The reason for this upgrade is that the 2TB RAID-5 array in the backup server is nearing full and I have no viable upgrade path for that machine. It has a 64bit PCI slots, but no PCIe slots.
My first preference is to build a totally new inexpensive machine from scratch that will get the Dell Perc 6i raid card with a 9TB RAID-6 array (8 x 1.5GB) from the primary server and the primary server will get a "new" Dell Perc 6i raid card with a 12TB RAID-6 array (8 x 2GB). This means I just need pretty much the cheapest robust mobo + CPU solution with a single PCIe x16 slot (for a Dell Perc 6i). Power consumption is not very important since the machine runs ~15 minutes a day.
I assume this is an AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 solution with a single PCIe x16 slot, built in gigabit LAN, on-board graphics + 2GB of RAM in a case that can accommodate 10 3.5" HD's + optical drive and a power supply that's up to the task.
I haven't built an AMD solution in 4 years, so I have no idea what I should be looking at in terms of chipset or motherboard brand. I don't need much, but I want something that's robust, has on board graphics, has a single PCIe x16 slot, on board gigabit LAN, supports RAID-1 (for OS drive).
Suggestions?
Case: ?
Motherboard: ?
CPU: Cheapest dual core AM2/AM2+/AM3 CPU
Power Supply: I've had good luck with the Seasonic built Corsair units, so I'd start looking there
RAM: Cheap, but well reviewed 2x1GB DDR2 (or DDR3 if necessary)
The alternative scenario is to try to get an inexpensive Intel Core i3/i5 system with dual PCIe x16 slots (to allow for two PCIe RAID cards), built in gigabit LAN, and on-board/on-chip graphics + 4GB of RAM + case + PS to replace the current primary server trying to minimize power consumption, but I assume this is a much more expensive path to go down.