Jul
3
Potential Virtual Server Parts
Filed Under Computers, Projects, Virtual Server
After thinking about a potential new Virtual Server for at home, I figured I should at least put together a rough parts list and see where abouts I would be. A few things are pretty easy, as I want a matching case to my WHS — mostly because I am anal that way, and I really liked the power supply unit that I got, so I would be considering that again.
So, here is the first stab at a “wish list” parts list:
- Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 $59.99
- Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II SS-500GM 500W $94.99
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R $114.99
- Processor: Intel C2Q Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz/12MB 95W $219.99
- Memory: G.Skill (2 x 2GB) 240-pin DDR2 1066 $59.99
- HDD: <TBD>
Total: TBD, currently @ $549.95
I am uncertain what I want out of a HDD at this point. I almost debate going for something like a 10k raptor drive, just because I will be using this for VM’s, so I would like to have a level of performance. Potentially a WD 150GB ($179.99) or a WD 300GB ($229.99), putting my total at $729.94 – $779.94. However, I also realize I will not be throttling the machine by any means, so it is probably unnecessary — in which case I could use one of my old 500GB’s from my current WHS.
Additionally, I do not plan on a video card for this server, being as it is pointless. I would either temporarily borrow a video card during setup, or if a motherboard happens to have onboard video, well that’s fine too — but still not required.
I would like to start with 8GB, but realistically I want to do this as cheap as possible, so I plan on starting with 4GB of memory (2×2GB) just to keep my cost down, but eventually I would still expand this to 8BG or more.
I looked at going for 16GB initially, but 2×4GB is near impossible to find at an affordable price.
Aside from recycled power supplies and such that is what I’ve considered for an upgrade path as well.
Using the case from your WHS from last year?
Not re-using, re-purchasing. So I’ll have two matching servers side-by-side.
A little lame, yes? But I like the case, and I think they’ll look better if they match. :/
Also, just for fun I looked up what “real” server parts would cost:
MB: TYAN S5375G2NR-1U i5100X 2xLGA771 Xeon $299.99
CPU: Intel Xeon QC E5405 2.0GHz/12MB 80W $224.99
RAM: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 667 ECC $56.99
Using the same case and power supply and still no HDD, would be:
Total: $736.95
Ouch, but yet awesome at the same time. Upgradeable to a second Quad Core processor, and up to 32GB of memory.
I’d consider that build path at work since space oddly isn’t the concern in datacenters these days. Places being power nazi’s mean we have to buy a full rack long before half a rack is filled.