Opinions on this build please

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lNomNoml

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Topic # 161819 20-Jan-2015 21:55

The following will be used as a server for about 20 people. I know this isn't server grade hardware, the budget is around $2000.

Case: Thermaltake H21 - $50+-

PSU: Corsair 650W CS650M - $140+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=PSUCOR2651&name=Corsair-650W-CS650M-ATX-Power-Supply-80+-Gold-Cert

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H Socket 1150 - $165+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MBDGBM2905&name=Gigabyte-GA-H97-D3H--Socket-1150Intel-H97-Chipset-

CPU: Intel NEW Haswell Core i7-4790 - $385+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=CPUIT4790&name=Intel-NEW-Haswell--Core-i7-4790-3.6GHz-8MB-LGA1150

RAM: Transcend 2x8GB 1600MHz Memory - $250+-

Could use this: http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MEMKPR1131993&name=KINGSTON-16GB-Kit-1333MHz-DDR3-ECC-Reg-DIMM-DRx4
Nice that it has ECC

SSD: Samsung 850 Pro MZ-7KE1T0BW 1TB - $825+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=HDDSAM5710&name=Samsung-850-Pro-MZ-7KE1T0BW-1TB-2.5--SSD--3D-V-NAN

HDD: Seagate SV35 Drive , 1TB 7200RPM SATA3 HDD - $85+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=HDDSE6010&name=Seagate-SV35-Drive--1TB-7200RPM-SATA3-HDD--durable

Going to use this 1TB hard drive for backup purposes, nothing more.

Fans: Corsair/Coolermaster - $50+-

Any recommendations or opinions please.

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Mark

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Reply # 1218682 20-Jan-2015 22:38

What sort of server is it to be ? File ? Database ? Remote desktops ?

lNomNoml

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Reply # 1218699 20-Jan-2015 23:14

Mark: What sort of server is it to be ? File ? Database ? Remote desktops ?

File and database, will be running server 2012

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DravidDavid

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Reply # 1218713 20-Jan-2015 23:25

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The memory might be ECC but does that particular CPU and motherboard support ECC? I'm pretty sure they all have to be ECC compatible for it to work. I would suggest a Xeon series CPU. They are not much more expensive than the usual range of CPUs and will take full advantage of ECC memory.

With servers, it's important that you check the memory compatibility with the board manufacturer. Yes, DDR3 memory will work DDR3 boards. But you will find the manufacturer of your motherboard will specify memory types that have been certified to work well together.

If it's not going to be a hardcore, relied upon 24/7 appliance, I probably wouldn't worry about the above. If it is, I'd definitely fork for the server board, Xeon CPU(s) and ECC memory. You may find it comes up reletively the same price, maybe $300 dollars over budget or something.

Sometimes what you don't get is a blessing in disguise!

lNomNoml

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Reply # 1218714 20-Jan-2015 23:28

DravidDavid: The memory might be ECC but does that particular CPU and motherboard support ECC? I'm pretty sure they all have to be ECC compatible for it to work. I would suggest a Xeon series CPU. They are not much more expensive than the usual range of CPUs and will take full advantage of ECC memory.

With servers, it's important that you check the memory compatibility with the board manufacturer. Yes, DDR3 memory will work DDR3 boards. But you will find the manufacturer of your motherboard will specify memory types that have been certified to work well together.

If it's not going to be a hardcore, relied upon 24/7 appliance, I probably wouldn't worry about the above. If it is, I'd definitely fork for the server board, Xeon CPU(s) and ECC memory. You may find it comes up reletively the same price, maybe $300 dollars over budget or something.

Thanks, would you be able to post a recommendation of memory, motherboard and CPU?

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JWR

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Reply # 1218726 20-Jan-2015 23:49

lNomNoml: The following will be used as a server for about 20 people. I know this isn't server grade hardware, the budget is around $2000.

Case: Thermaltake H21 - $50+-

PSU: Corsair 650W CS650M - $140+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=PSUCOR2651&name=Corsair-650W-CS650M-ATX-Power-Supply-80+-Gold-Cert

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-D3H Socket 1150 - $165+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MBDGBM2905&name=Gigabyte-GA-H97-D3H--Socket-1150Intel-H97-Chipset-

CPU: Intel NEW Haswell Core i7-4790 - $385+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=CPUIT4790&name=Intel-NEW-Haswell--Core-i7-4790-3.6GHz-8MB-LGA1150

RAM: Transcend 2x8GB 1600MHz Memory - $250+-

Could use this: http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MEMKPR1131993&name=KINGSTON-16GB-Kit-1333MHz-DDR3-ECC-Reg-DIMM-DRx4
Nice that it has ECC

SSD: Samsung 850 Pro MZ-7KE1T0BW 1TB - $825+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=HDDSAM5710&name=Samsung-850-Pro-MZ-7KE1T0BW-1TB-2.5--SSD--3D-V-NAN

HDD: Seagate SV35 Drive , 1TB 7200RPM SATA3 HDD - $85+-
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=HDDSE6010&name=Seagate-SV35-Drive--1TB-7200RPM-SATA3-HDD--durable

Going to use this 1TB hard drive for backup purposes, nothing more.

Fans: Corsair/Coolermaster - $50+-

Any recommendations or opinions please.

It is hard to know if building your own server is a good idea or not.

I guess it is trading reliability, support off against cost.

The bottleneck for your system will probably be the networking.

But, you do have a few options. You can buy more single port cards or multi-port cards (quite expensive).

Server 2012 does easily support teaming of Ethernet cards. Of course, it is better if your switch also supports it too.

Also, I don't like the idea of backing up to another drive in the same system.

Backup is another whole topic. But, I don't think you are placing enough importance on it.

gzt

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Reply # 1218739 21-Jan-2015 00:24

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Why the decision to build?

Edit: this is not a rhetorical question : ).

Lias

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Reply # 1218769 21-Jan-2015 07:27

For 2 grand, buy this instead.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=836204747

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timmmay

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Reply # 1218787 21-Jan-2015 08:04

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Pretty sure i7 processors don't support ECC, some i3 do but that's less power. Xeon aren't badly priced, especially if you import from newegg, though for a business server I wouldn't do that - fast local support is better. I like SuperMicro boards but they're super expensive and hard to find in NZ.

SSDs fail (one of my older models did), if you can afford it suggest you mirror them, or at least have regular backups.

That server linked to looks great, though at that price I wonder if it fell off the back of a truck.

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Reply # 1218866 21-Jan-2015 09:51

Is this a "business critical" device?

i.e if it dies, how long is an acceptable recovery time?

I would be really leery about home building a "server" from desktop components unless you can afford to be relaxed about its performance and reliability.

If you only needed storage a decent Synology NAS would probably serve you better at that price point...

Otherwise for the DB aspect and general server/domain functions you may need to either up your budget and buy an entry level ProLiant or PowerEdge or look at second hand.

gzt

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Reply # 1218881 21-Jan-2015 10:16

Looks like a general purpose small business server for 20 people.

Is the ssd spend really needed? Many times there will be other limitations present negating the benefit.

1101

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Reply # 1219128 21-Jan-2015 14:10

Lias: For 2 grand, buy this instead.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=836204747

or maybe something like this . Always some risk in buying used of course. Hunt around, maybee you could find something used but still under manufacturers
warranty .
http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/servers/servers/auction-835207505.htm

If you decide to build it yourself (I wouldnt) , perhaps think Enterprise/server grade hardware .
Not consumer grade SSD's , at least WD Black/red (server grade HD's) in some sort of true hardware raid
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/server-motherboards/server-board.html

Also, did you factor in cost of Server OS & user licenses

JWR

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Reply # 1219159 21-Jan-2015 14:39

1101:
Lias: For 2 grand, buy this instead.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=836204747

or maybe something like this . Always some risk in buying used of course. Hunt around, maybee you could find something used but still under manufacturers
warranty .
http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/servers/servers/auction-835207505.htm

If you decide to build it yourself (I wouldnt) , perhaps think Enterprise/server grade hardware .
Not consumer grade SSD's , at least WD Black/red (server grade HD's) in some sort of true hardware raid
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/server-motherboards/server-board.html

Also, did you factor in cost of Server OS & user licenses

I would consider the Samsung 850 Pro as more reliable than any hard drive.

These things have been hammered in testing and hold up pretty well.

Also, they come with a 10 year warranty. So Samsung must trust them too.