Server recommendation

[norburban]

I live in the GTA & ordered my SageTV hardware & software, but now I need to build a server. I tried to resurrect one that crashed a couple months ago, but no luck. Any recommendations on where to pickup a cheap barebones system?

[wayner]

I like Canada Computers - they will also put a system together for you for about $50-$75. I would recommend WHS as your OS and buy a motherboard that has lots of SATA ports - my mobo has 8 ports and I am currently using 6 with my 5.2TB of drive space. I have an Asus mobo - I think it is a P5Q pro or something like that for about $140.

My case is an Antec Three Hundred which holds 6x3.5" drives and 3x5.25" drives. You can use adapters to put hard drives in the 5.25" space since you won't need more than one optical drive in a server and maybe you don't even need one.

If you don't mind putting everything together yourself then ncix.com or newegg.ca are also good for components at low prices.

In terms of CPU soemthing like an E8400 or E7300 should be more than sufficient - even if you are doing comskip of H.264 files.

[freedml]

I have been buying equipment from HP's businesss outlet. They have overstock and refurbished units, some at great prices. Email Shawn at sbyrnes@smbhp.com and he can send you a list of what's available. Ordering is easy and they also have great specials on add-on accessories when you buy a system.

[wayner]

IMHO it is much more important to get what you want in specific hardware and brands that you are familiar with in components. In buying from HP, or any other "name", you don't really know what you are getting since HP does not make PCs, they just assemble them. The actual hardware is made by others like Asus, Western Digital, ATI/AMD, Nvidia, Intel, etc.

And for a server you don't care about stuff like video or sound cards so you run the risk of paying for features that are useless. You really care about stuff like # of drive bays, fans, and SATA ports.

Therefore when buying a server think about what you need in terms of specs and make sure you buy at least as much as you need because upgrading later can be a pain in the butt.

[norburban]

Thanks for your help. I ended up fixing my old XPMC and paid too much for it, but I didn't realize it would cost so much. I would have been better off buying a new barebones. Oh well, this will have to do for a while.