Having downloaded WHS CTP, I realise that my aging grab-bag of PC goodies won't cut the mustard for an installation of WHS.
I have an ATX tower case with enough drive bays, and some DDR2-400 memory (3x 512 Mb sticks), I've got a DVD drive, but I'm trying to work out what the best Mobo and CPU combo is. Starting at www.Pricespy.co.nz there is a plethora of boards and now I'm just getting a wee bit confused by all the options.
So, the requirements: Ability to run in 64-bit mode (futureproofing). More than 2 (pref 4) SATA or SATA2 connectors for expansion as I add extra disks. Perhaps a single IDE header. Some USB ports but don't need a million. I don't mind if it runs a socket 775 Intel (Celeron 3100??) or an AM2 AMD (Sempron anyone?). Would prefer ATX, but mATX is fine. Onboard video preferred but I can lay my hands on a AGP video card somewhere...
Finally, it has to be cheap, but not nasty. A couple of the bottom-line Asustek boards or a Gigabyte one looks OK. Why do I get the feeling "Foxconn" and "never with a barge pole" can be used in the same sentence??
What does anyone think of AMD's Cool n' Quiet technology? I'd kinda like a CPU that doesn't suck much power when it's not under load, which of course for a home server is 99.9% of the time.
Has anyone got any thoughts or comments about relative merits of said boards or processors? I really don't feel like spending more than $150ish for a Mobo + CPU combo, although I'd go to $200 for the right reasons.
Any ideas appreciated.
Cheers
Jon