Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Building a cheap server computer, need component suggestions.

xepherys · 07-06-2005, 12:43 PM

I agree that a good linux distro will get you further along than Windows, and often without any learning. But if you have a licensed copy of windows that you can use... well, whatever floats your boat. Win2k3 does have higher requirements than Win2k server, so if you require windows, you may want to look into 2K instead.

Any parts you need to buy new, get from newegg.com... they'll ALWAYS have tight deals on a lot of products. You can get a cheap LG or Lite-On DVD-ROM there (if you need one) or CD-ROM. Try getting parts on Ebay, or a local small computer shop that may deal in used products. Go to a PC trade show (they have them once a month somewhere near Milwaukee I think) and pick up some dirt cheap items.

The drive you listed, however, is SATA, which means you'll likely be picking up a new mobo. Brand of mobo can be a make or break for your system. Personally I recommend none of the "cheap" boards. I tend to go with Soyo or Asus myself, thoguh Abit and Tyan are both also top tier.

Newegg has the PATA version of the drive you mentioned : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145058 : for $2 less. Hitachi is good, Seagate and Maxtor are also good. Each model of drive needs to be looked at seperately for reliability rather than brand overall. Hitachi/IBM had a HUGE problem that ended in a class-action lawsuit over three models of DeskStar drives. Since then, they've regained most of their reliability status in the market.

If you want more info (specifics), send me a PM.

07-06-2005, 12:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	I agree that a good linux distro will get you further along than Windows, and often without any learning. But if you have a licensed copy of windows that you can use... well, whatever floats your boat. Win2k3 does have higher requirements than Win2k server, so if you require windows, you may want to look into 2K instead. Any parts you need to buy new, get from newegg.com... they'll ALWAYS have tight deals on a lot of products. You can get a cheap LG or Lite-On DVD-ROM there (if you need one) or CD-ROM. Try getting parts on Ebay, or a local small computer shop that may deal in used products. Go to a PC trade show (they have them once a month somewhere near Milwaukee I think) and pick up some dirt cheap items. The drive you listed, however, is SATA, which means you'll likely be picking up a new mobo. Brand of mobo can be a make or break for your system. Personally I recommend none of the "cheap" boards. I tend to go with Soyo or Asus myself, thoguh Abit and Tyan are both also top tier. Newegg has the PATA version of the drive you mentioned : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145058 : for $2 less. Hitachi is good, Seagate and Maxtor are also good. Each model of drive needs to be looked at seperately for reliability rather than brand overall. Hitachi/IBM had a HUGE problem that ended in a class-action lawsuit over three models of DeskStar drives. Since then, they've regained most of their reliability status in the market. If you want more info (specifics), send me a PM.