WHS First Timer Build

[UpstartXT]

Final Configuration Purchased:


CASE: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119137
$69.99

CPU: AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Processor Model SDX140HBGQBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103698
$37.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128342
$54.99

RAM: Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2/2GR - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134632
$29.99

Video Card: Integrated in Motherboard

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139008
$49.99

Hard Drive: 2x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F2EG HD154UI 1.5TB 5400 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152175
$199.98 (for both combined, not each)

OS: Microsoft Windows Home Server 32 Bit 1 Pack (Power pack 1) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16832116550
$94.99

Fan/Heatsink: Stock provided with Retail CPU

CD/DVD: SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151187
$29.99

Total: $567.91




The Original Thread was as follows:
____________________________________________________________________
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Running Windows Home Server to backup computers on network as well as stream DVD rips to a HTPC.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$500-$700 (U.S.)

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

U.S.A.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Intel and nVidia fanboy

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Just the peripherals.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Default speeds as it is just a server.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

No gaming.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

ASAP.



Hey guys, I have never built a server before. I think I can handle the install okay, and I know how to put together a computer (done it for many, many gaming rigs). However, I have no idea what goes into selecting the parts for a good server.

I was told performance is not really a big deal, it's all about the hard drive space. I think this is especially true in my case because I will be ripping Blu-Ray DVDs. I then plan on streaming this media to a HTPC.

I have chosen the following components, but am open to completely changing them. Note: I went with kind of a better motherboard than I probably need merely for the extra SATA ports. I chose the coolermaster case because i have one for my gaming rig and I love it but maybe these server rack things are the way to go? I have no experience with these.


COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$69.99

3x Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
$284.97 (total)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$54.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$134.99

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail
$63.99

Microsoft Windows Home Server 32 Bit 1 Pack (Power pack 1) - OEM
$94

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail WITH COMBINATION SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Video ... - Retail
$94 (for both)


Thank you very much for your time. I can edit with links to the components if that's easier for people.

 

[JackMDS]

Nice choices but too much, your choice is like you are building a scaled down gaming Rig, most WHS servers would do just as well with half the power of every thing that you choose. There is about $200 waste in your choices.

mATX Mobo with onboard graphic is good enough most people do not even connect a Monitor to a Server.

WHS comes with a connector software that lets it control By a network computer.

Given that WHS run 24/7 and does not go to sleep you want a more docile computer that would keep electrical cost down.

 

[UpstartXT]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Nice choices but too much, your choice is like you are building a scaled down gaming Rig, most WHS servers would do just as well with half the power of every thing that you choose. There is about $200 waste in your choices.

mATX Mobo with onboard graphic is good enough most people do not even connect a Monitor to a Server.

WHS comes with a connector software that lets it control By a network computer.

Given that WHS run 24/7 and does not go to sleep you want a more docile computer that would keep electrical cost down.

I think you're absolutely right. The cheaper the better, and to me this seems just like a gaming rig that I usually build. Where can I cut some corners?

In terms of the MicroATX Motherboards, won't these have a lower amount of SATA ports and therefore limit my expandability?

I see that there are "green" products like green power supplies and green hard drives. Are these any good. Any recommendations?

If I do not get a DVD drive, how do I do the initial install of WHS? (Stupid question, I know)

Any different case recommendations?

Thank you very much Jack

 

[Beanie46]

Remember, Microsoft cites the minimum hardware requirements for Windows Home Server as a 1GHz Pentium III (although a Pentium 4, AMD x64 or newer CPU is recommended) with 512MB of RAM and an 80GB hard drive. And while you may think the minimum recommendations are like those listed with a game (that is, the minimum specs will barely function), in this case, the minimum specs are not overly optimistic spec.....the machine with minimum specs will work fine.

I built a WHS machine, just to play with it, with a 1.2GHz Pentium III with 512MB of RAM and a Seagate 160GB hard drive and Windows Home Server was surprisingly responsive and stable. After all, home servers don't carry much of a load if they're just sharing files and printers.

I'd really scale back your choices of memory, cpu, motherboard.......look for something like an Intel G31 board with a bunch of SATA ports. About all you need. Heck, you could even move backward to even older chipset motherboards....like the 965 or 945 based ones. Why spend a ton of $$ on something that's not going to return any benefit?

 

[Beanie46]

dp

 

[mc866]

Also, you won't need 4GB of memory even though it's so cheap right now, you are limited with the 32 bit os so a $25 2GB dimm would do you just fine.

And like Jack said you may want to take a look at a lower power option such as a Zotec board with the Intel Atom processor, the main thing I would worry about is to make sure you have enough internal SATA connectors.

 

[JackMDS]

The sweet spot of WHS is something like the E2160 (or similar class) and 2GB of memory with a Giga NIC.

If one wants to save on Energy an ATOM based Mobo would work very well too.

There is a collection of ATOM Motherboards and barebones here, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...tList.aspx?Submit=ENE&
Description=intel%20atom%20330&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE

The 80GB Drive means minimum to be able to install, but it is quite useless to build a storage and backup server with 80GB.

WHS does not need RAID it has its own system that actually more safe than hardware RAID.

WHS has a special system under which you can add drives at any time and they are incorporated into the system without any functional changes to the existing storage (you add a drive and it becomes part of the general \\whs\ network share).

So I currently start with at least 4 SATA and 1.5 TB Drive. taking into consideration that under the current price structure by the time I need to enlarge the storage the 2TB drive would get down to around $100-$120 and thus my projection is that with 4 SATA connectors I would end up with 1.5+2+2+2=7.5TB (or probably more depending on what would come after the 2TB drives).

If money is Not an object you can start with 4 2TB Drives right now.

120 days Trial, http://www.microsoft.com/DOWNL...b2dadca&displaylang=en

Few additional remarks about WHS, http://www.ezlan.net/WHS.html

Example Add-ons that are used to mange and stream media.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://brentf.com/blog/addins/releases/tv-manager-v1-5-preview/">https://brentf.com/blog/add......ager-v1-5-preview/</a>

http://www.mediasmartserver.ne...ewtopic.php?f=3&t=3999

http://www.mymovies.dk/

http://www.asciiexpress.com/webguide/homeserver.aspx

 

[UpstartXT]

Hey guys thanks for the replies.

I am a total noob so I am not familiar with barebones systems. Jack, I was not able to get that link to work. Anyone else able to? I searched for some barebones systems myself, but most have only 4 SATA ports. Wouldn't it be worth it to buy a more expensive mobo that had, say, 8 SATA ports?

Also can someone explain to me the advantages/disadvantages of server racks vs. doing this in a normal tower case?

Lastly, how important are these "green" products. I have heard that the "green" hard drives actually fail sooner than regular hard drives, defeating the cost-saving benefits.

 

[yh125d]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103698
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128342
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134632

+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16816124026 for 4 more SATA ports if you want for 10 total

$167 + PSU with a handful of SATA connectors and a case with plenty of 3.5" mounts

 

[UpstartXT]

Hey yh125d, thanks a lot for spelling it out for me.
Can't get the public wish list thing to work but anyway.


I am revising the build to this:

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$54.99

CPU:
AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Processor Model SDX140HBGQBOX - Retail
$39.99

RAM:
Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2/2GR - Retail
$25.99

GPU: (integral)

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
$64.99

Case:
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$84.99

HD: 2x

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM
$129.99x2= $239.98

Total: $573.92

I am holding off on the SATA controller for now until I actually need the extra SATA ports, but thanks for answering my question about this. Now I know I can buy the microATX boards and not have to worry about expandability.

Any further comments before I pull the trigger?

 

[yh125d]

The Seagate is a bad idea. When it released they had such horrible failure rates it was ridiculous. 20% or something. They released a firmware update which IIRC fixed some of the problem, but it's still much less reliable than you'd expect. If you can deal with the lower RPM (and you probably can, it's a server after all high speed isn't that important) I'd get two of the Samsung 1.5TB drives. If you buy 2 or more they're only $100 each with free shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16822152175)

That PSU is only $50 minus $20 rebate at newegg, not $65

And I don't think that case is necessary. I'd get an Antec 300, which is a tad cheaper, has 1 more 3.5" bay for 6 total, but is otherwise very similar

 

[nobb]

If you are going for energy efficiency, maybe take a look at motherboard based on the G31 chipset, they are supposed to be pretty efficient. As for the CPU, maybe a Celeron 430? I also agree that it's a bad choice to go with the Seagate 7200.11. Look into the WD Green, that's more than enough for a home server. For the power supply, I would look at the lowest rated psu that is 80 plus certified...maybe something like an Antec Earthwatts 380.

 

[UpstartXT]

Well I was just about to pull the trigger on this build I have now, with the hard drives changed to samsungs as suggested. Is it really necessary to go green and change everything, or will what I have selected work well?

 

[JackMDS]

The Server suppose to work for long time to come 24/7.

It is better to be Wise, a little patient, and take few extra days now, then to endure a hot, noisy, $$$ guzzler box in the years to come.

 

[yh125d]

I think the build is already about as green as you can get. A new 45nm single core sempron probably only pulls what, 20w? motherboard with 740g, maybe 15? 4w stick of ram, 5w x 2 HDs... couple low speed 120mm fans 6w, like 50w? It would use less than that most of the time it's idling anyway. It doesn't get much greener...

Nobb, the 400w he picked is 80+, it's fine for a low power build like this. Yeah he could step down to like a seasonic 330w or something, but then he'd lose connectors. He's already using a modest PSU, no need to downsize more really.

 

[UpstartXT]

I also heard some weird things about green hard drives failing more frequently. Something to do with setting the heads. Sorry I can't be more detailed, I don't really have the level of expertise that you guys have.

From what yh125d is saying, this sounds like it is already a pretty green build anyway. If I were to switch to green hard drives, I would be going way down on the bang for buck scale in terms of the space to cost of hard drive ratio. It's hard to beat $100 for 1.5 TB.

@Jack: I do have gaming rig experience and what you're saying is absolutely true. I'm not ordering anything until people here say they definitely think it's the best way to go.

So what I have as of right now (btw I have stuck with the same case because it matches the another I currently have that it will be going right next to, unless this is a big deal. The many 5.5" bays are 3.5" convertible with no extra parts necessary):

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$54.99

CPU:
AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Processor Model SDX140HBGQBOX - Retail
$37.99

RAM:
Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2/2GR - Retail
$25.99

GPU: (integrated)

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
$49.99

Case:
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$69.99

HD: 2x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F2EG HD154UI 1.5TB 5400 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
$199.98 (for both, not each)

OS: Windows Home Server
$94.99

Total: $533.92


Edit: Corrected prices to accurately reflect instant rebates

 

[yh125d]

The 5400RPM samsung drives are "green" drives, their equivalent to the WD Caviar Green drives which I think is what was being referred to


Probably what you heard about green drives is parking the heads more often than non-green drives. The only ones I've heard of doing that are the WD green's but I haven't heard any mention of any reliability issues (except the seagate model from earlier). Lots of people are buying green drives these days for storage duty, I think you're safe

Looks good! :thumbsup:

 

[LeonarD26]

Here's a build I put together in March:

GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor
Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

It's been very stable for me.

 

[UpstartXT]

Originally posted by: LeonarD26
Here's a build I put together in March:

GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor
Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

It's been very stable for me.

Wow that's almost exactly the same. What are people's thoughts on the Sempron 45W I have in the list above vs. the Athlon X2 45W dual core?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: UpstartXT

Originally posted by: LeonarD26
Here's a build I put together in March:

GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor
Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

It's been very stable for me.

Wow that's almost exactly the same. What are people's thoughts on the Sempron 45W I have in the list above vs. the Athlon X2 45W dual core?

Since they they both ratet 45W (I am not familiar with the Sempron) go with the stronger one and make sure that it is x64 capable.

The next major upgrade of WHS probably would go x64.

Otherwise, I think you did well and you are ready to go. :thumbsup: - :thumbsup:

 

[yh125d]

They're both rated 45w but the dual core will definitely pull more power. It will be faster though. The sempron is basically an Athlon II X2 with one core disabled. A single core 45nm CPU will definitely pull less power than a 65nm dual core


Something like a 4850e would be faster yes, but if a much cheaper single core uses less power/heat and is still more than plenty fast for the task at hand... do you really need to step up?

 

[UpstartXT]

Originally posted by: yh125d
They're both rated 45w but the dual core will definitely pull more power. It will be faster though. The sempron is basically an Athlon II X2 with one core disabled. A single core 45nm CPU will definitely pull less power than a 65nm dual core


Something like a 4850e would be faster yes, but if a much cheaper single core uses less power/heat and is still more than plenty fast for the task at hand... do you really need to step up?

First of all, I can't even find an X2 on newegg that only uses 45W. The chip that he has seems to be discontinued, and I couldn't find it on TigerDirect either.

yh125d I am thinking the same thing you are thinking, as why upgrade if the current processor is cheaper (probably) and most likely uses less power, yet will not be any slower for the applications I will be using it for?

Again, the main thing I am worried about is this baby being able to stream uncompressed blu-ray video and audio to an HTPC. Will I see any benefit for this specific use by going to a faster CPU than the Sempron?

 

[yh125d]

It's discontinued on newegg but I think it's still in production

And no. If you're just hosting the files on the server the only limiting factor will be the network speed, and that mobo has gigabit ethernet. Assuming your HTPC does too, I don't see a problem. Your HTPC will be the one rendering the video so the server doesn't need decoding capability

 

[UpstartXT]

Originally posted by: yh125d
It's discontinued on newegg but I think it's still in production

And no. If you're just hosting the files on the server the only limiting factor will be the network speed, and that mobo has gigabit ethernet. Assuming your HTPC does too, I don't see a problem. Your HTPC will be the one rendering the video so the server doesn't need decoding capability

Well this is great news I think I am going to go ahead and get this configuration then.

One last question, what could I do with WHS that actually WOULD require a beefy processor?

 

[yh125d]

Nothing comes to mind. I don't think it can really be used as a normal OS really with 3rd party apps. Maybe F@H? but who's going to fold on a WHS anyway...