Dual Dual Core Xeons with Sage

[compuguru]

I was offered a PC for $150 that I am leaning toward buying to move my current server to. I have an HDHR, and a 1600 as my tuners. The current server runs WHS, so I plan just to move that over. Right now the most strenuous thing it does is Comskip, but I would like to be future-proof, at least for awhile.

My question is, would this PC make a SageTV/server? The specs look really good, but I'm not sure about the processors because they seem a bit old.

SuperMicro Server
2U form factor, 26" deep
Dual dual-core Xeon 2.8Ghz CPUs (=4 cores per server)
4GB FB ECC DDR rams
space for 6 harddrives in front (not hot-swap)
each comes with 1x 160GB Seagate SATA drive
Legal Win XP Pro on each server
CD/floppy
dual ethernet/VGA/PS2/USB

[bcjenkins]

only thing to consider is power consumption.

[sic0048]

I suspect it is also very loud.

[Fuzzy]

Plenty of horsepower for a sage server (which really requires practically no CPU, on it's own). As stated, probably a bit expensive in the power use department for what you get. Considering you can buy a new power-sipping atom330 based system for that much, and it'll perform sage server duties just as well.

[davephan]

A computer like that for $150 is dirt cheap, unless there is something seriously wrong with it.


Dave

[gplasky]

Consider the noise and the heat generated. Especially if placing in a small area.

Gerry

[paulbeers]

I assume those are old Netburst 2.8ghz Xeon processors, which means you are going to be paying rediculous amounts to keep it running and getting very poor performance. Plus 6 - 160GB hard drives means you are only getting about a terrabyte of storage and having to pay to keep 6 drives running (a single TB drive will only cost you about $80). You could easily get a low end Phenom quad core (9600 for example), which would as fast and use considerably less power. Does the server even have PCIE slots? While you might not need them now, the future is PCIE. There is a reason why these servers are being dumped by everyone and their brother for cheap prices. The cost to maintain and the poor performance makes them unsuitable in a server environment.