New Server Build

[w0z]

AMD A6-3670 Black APU Quad Core Processor Socket FM1 2.7GHZ 4MB Cache 100W Retail Box

ASUS F1A55-M/CSM mATX AMD A55FCH FM1 APU DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 2PCI-E16 1PCI-E HDMI DVI VGA Motherboard

Crucial CT2KIT25664BA1339 4GB 2X2GB PC3-10600 DDR3-1333 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit

Bitfenix Merc Alpha Steel Black ATX Mid Tower Case 3X5.25 7X3.25 1X2.5 *No PS* Top USB2.0 Audio

everything else i have from my old server

what do u think of the parts...

power consumption is mostly what i am worried about as it running all the time

i also like the onboard graphics

thanks for the comments

w0z

[Keywork]

What is this server for exactly?

[w0z]

its going to be a file server... possibly might host a website

[CMetaphor]

Originally Posted by w0z

its going to be a file server... possibly might host a website

either way the built-in APU seems slightly overkill? If its just a file-server you could get away with an E-series APU built into an ITX motherboard, then a small ITX case (fractal and lian-li come to mind) with lots of space for hard drives. Much lower power consumption and it would work just fine.

[w0z]

Originally Posted by CMetaphor

either way the built-in APU seems slightly overkill? If its just a file-server you could get away with an E-series APU built into an ITX motherboard, then a small ITX case (fractal and lian-li come to mind) with lots of space for hard drives. Much lower power consumption and it would work just fine.

you have my attention lol...

the 4 parts i listed are 242.53 before taxes and shipped...

what is the cost for the parts you suggest?

thanks again for the help

w0z

[CMetaphor]

For the smallest possible:
Newegg.ca - LIAN LI PC-Q25B Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case (this case screams NAS/file server - hot swap bays)
Newegg.ca - ASUS E35M1-I Fusion AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD Hudson M1 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo

Just add your flavor of ram. Slightly more than 250 though, but still quite reasonable, considering the hot swap bays

Slightly larger, but cheaper:
Newegg.ca - ASUS E35M1-M PRO Fusion AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD Hudson M1 Micro ATX Motherboard/CPU Combo (larger version of the above mobo, this one is mATX and has pcie/pci for sata controller cards, should you want them.
Fractal Design Define Mini mATX Computer Case - Fractal Design - FD-CA-DEF-MINI-BL (nice ultra silent case, lots of hard drive space)

It really comes down to you though to be honest. You can always just ignore our opinions and go with your own, because thats the one that matters.

[w0z]

wow this is something to consider. I will do a little research.

Thanks!
w0z

[BlueByte]

Yeah APU is bad choice for a server I think. There is also the amd 3200 series processors that were announced recently, 45 watt and you could use the cheap one that is $99. My suppliers tell me may 9th is real ship date for canada. Just a consideration since they fit the AM3+ socket. If this has your interest peaked wait for the benchmarks, basically there is very little info other then what amd has released as a media blitz. But $99 for a opteron is not bad if it's like the old desktop 160's back in the day.

[Keywork]

45 watts isn't bad for ^^, but you can't beat $120 bucks for an ITX CPU MOBO combo that has more features than he even needs. The AMD E-350 platform is what I chose for my file server as well.

[kingnubian]

I've built a number of servers for myself and clients. For simple file serving and or serving web pages the cpu, even an Atom, is usually not the limiting factor at all. My last server was built around an Intel ITX motherboard with a dual core atom cpu running CentOS and i performed beautifully.
Presently my latest home sever is built around the Intel G530 celeron (Sandybridge based) cpu. This is a great choice for this use as it combines good performance, outperforming an Athlon II 245, with low power. Included in this build presently are 5 2Tb hard drives running FreeBSD 9 (Previously Freenas 8.04).

Home servers are rarely cpu limited when simple file serving or a web server are used. Since this box will be on most oofe time, I would build it for low power usage & stability first.