Super deal on a dual processor 133Mhz bus SCSI server NOTE: Hotter, now with 256Mb PC133 ECC

[Kwad Guy]

MicroWarehouse.com has the Compaq ML350 Server *IN STOCK*
for real and ready to ship. Price is $699 plus
reasonable shipping.

I just talked to someone
@ MicroWarehouse and she confirmed with the warehouse
that the server is really and truly in stock and ready
for immediate shipment. Everyone else who has this
at a comparable price doesn't have it and can't get it.
So if you want one, this is your chance.

This is an unbelievable deal on this server. You get
a ServerWorks 133Mhz onboard SCSI based server. The
motherboard itself sells for $400-500. You also a hot-swap
SCSI backplane with 4 slots, a 32X (IDE) CDrom,
two *64 bit* PCI slots and 4 32 bit PCI slots, 1 ISA
slot, 128Mb of PC133 memory included.

Note: Only includes one PIII 600Mhz processor. YOu need
to buy the second processor (or a matched set of faster
processors) if you want SMP. (I've read varying things
about whether you also need to buy a VRM for the second
processor if you want to use it. Anyone know? And if the
answer is yet, anyone know where to pick up a VRM for the
SuperMicro board cheaply?).

Note2: Comes with no hard drives (or OS, obviously). That's
your responsibility!



What a deal...Go for it!

 

[geoffct]

pretty sure that VRM for proc. #2 is NOT necessary, I have run 2 p3-500s on my Supermicro p6-dgh, no issues.

Geoff

 

[RoadRuner]

older compaq's require dual vrm's and they ship with the oem processors, which also happen to have wacky heatsinks (no cpu fan) on them..

might consider that.

 

[rootaxs]

I checked with Compaq on this and they said you need it alright. The worst part? The processor upgrade with the adapter will cost just as much as the entire server itself ~ $600

 

[kombatmud]

I have a supermicro PIIIDME that dosen't need a VRM for dual CPUs. What model board is in this machine? Also, have you tried calling supermicro? I know they'll send CPU terminators for free if you need them, maybe they'll send you a VRM.

 

[Kwad Guy]

Oops...SOrry. I shoulda notta written that posting when I was
tired. I believe the motherboard in this server is a ServerWorks
MB, not SuperMicro. Sorry for the misunderstanding. This prolly
also explains why those who have SM MBs disputed what I said.
'Cause I made a mistake. Sorry 'bout that!

Kwad

 

[Gunbuster]

SCA backplane? With drive mounts?
how big is the power sup?

 

[setaanbomb]

I think this a fabulous deal. 64bit PCI is nice and the dual CPUs rock. Too bad its Intel, then again I can't go SMP with AMD just yet.

I'd love to pick this baby up and have it run Windows 2000 server.

 

[perry]

CDW sells the same thing for $720, but they aren't in stock.

 

[Kwad Guy]

Yes, a number of places claim to sell if for around the same
price, but none has stock. Onvia had it for around $660 or so
delivered, but they too have no stock. And when I called them,
they told me that it was discontined and that they would not
be getting more stock. They said that Compaq said that the
only ones left were already in the pipeline. That means if you
order from someone who doesn't CURRENTLY have stock, you're not
likely to get it...

Kwad

 

[Kwad Guy]

Deal got hotter: Choose item BN7871, and you get the
same server PLUS an additional 128Mb PC133 ECC memory
free (total 256Mb memory included).

Only a very few left in stock.

Gotta be the only new-in-box
133Mhz FSB 256Mb memory SCSI system
@$699 in the world right now.

This is also part of Compaq's commercial line (about
10x better than their consumer grade stuff), which means
it comes with a good warranty...

Kwad

 

[Darthkim]

Is it right, when they said shipping was 73 DOllars for ground? They do weight a ton.... 76 pounds... got lucky and grabbed 2 from Onvia.

and yes... they come with the mem upgrade.

you can buy another 256 for 204 at Crucial.com

now....only to find some drives.... They are hella expensive.
I may sell one of them.... since the other one was sent by accident (the guy on the phone clicked on the order 3 times!!!!!! and didnt tell me about it!!!!.)

 

[J9JM3]

This is a incredible deal. I ordered some from Onvia since I got a good source for parts(drop me a email if you need accessories for it). It has all the right specs and Compaq is great about server support. The hot plug bay is great. Just slide a drive out and slide another one in to boot another OS. If a drive failed they will ship you one right away and just mail the broken one back. At work they use all compaq servers and they are pretty solid.

 

[Kwad Guy]

Mine was $44 for shipping. I am in the New England area. Their
shipping was quite reasonable, I think. Just not as good as
the (no longer available) free shipping at Onvia.

If anyone knows where I can get a cheap VRM for the second
processor slot, let me know...

Kwad

 

[jolottashakn]

Darthkim and J9JM3,

When did you get these systems from Onvia. Their site currently shasw a price of $899.?

 

[Kwad Guy]

The hot-plug version is no longer available at Onvia and
doesn't appear in a search. The version that's $899 is the
non-hot-plug version and IMHO is much inferior.

Much better to get the one mentioned at the beginning of
this thread.

MUCH MUCH better. And cheaper.

And better.


Kwad

 

[e-Spider]

I have an Adaptec Raid controller, will it work w/ this server?

 

[Bezell]

Does it have a 4x AGP???

 

[Kwad Guy]

No AGP at all, I believe. This is a server, after all. Comes with
adequate (for a server) graphics built in. But if you want
it for a gaming rig, you're gonna have to make due with a PCI
graphics card.

I am also not clear if it has built-in USB. Perhaps someone
who already got one can comment on that...If not, you're gonna
want to put a USB card in it, most likely...Probably not in one
of the 64bit slots, though

Kwad

 

[her209]

Arent proprietary computers not as good in terms of upgradability?

 

[Kwad Guy]

As a general rule: Proprietary computers are to be avoided.

However, to each rule there is an exception and that is:
A proprietary computer that allows expansion via generic
interfaces (PCI, ISA) and which offers incredible value both
because of the features being offered and the quality of the
components being offered at a low price is NOT to be avoided, and
in fact represents a good buy.

I wouldn't purchase a consumer level HP Pavillion or Compaq
whatever. But HP Netservers and Compaq Proliants are well built
solid machines. And if you can get one at a steal of a price,
go for it. As in this one.

The achilles heal of this deal is finding a VRM for the second
processor at a reasonable price. But even as a single processor
machine, it's a steal!

If anyone knows of a generic and/or non-COMPAQ branded VRM that
works with this, or else a source for a cheap 2nd VRM for the
MB, let me know!

Kwad

 

[joefart]

ok, got a question... what is a VRM?

 

[RoadRuner]

Compaq's are decent servers, no upgradability path, except for cpu's, cause they're Proprietary motherboard layout!

VRM's and cpu's are non-standard on these boards, good luck, check e bay for what you need, if you need it cheap..

the ugprades for the cpu's are not cheap at all. They usually come with a massive heatsink instead of a cpu fan

Never the less good deal, for a small server..

Most compaqs are on-board everthing, video,sound,ethernet, too..

 

[tim0thy]

How much do HDD run on these servers? This definitely looks like a good buy provided that the necessary accesories don't run my wallet into the ground. I saw some Compaq drives off of uBid, but not sure if they are the correct ones. Anyone have experience with these servers?

 

[Darthkim]

Hey guys, i'll check with a couple of my resellers to see if i can get ahold of these VRM's (works out perfect for me...have a spare PIII 600 laying around)

If i can get some, how many of you guys are interested? LMK