I'm interested in building my own servers, to save some money, and allow me to support the servers better, since I know all about the parts used. I'm looking for suggestions for what and where to buy the key parts, and estimate the total costs.

There are basically 2 different servers to look at.
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1. Cheapest IDE based server to be similar to, but more powerful than a Raq. Probably in the area of single 1Ghz processor, 20-40gig HD, no Raid, 256 - 512 ram and only 1 ethernet card. Since it's raq mount, you don't really need CD/Floppy/or maybe even video, but I'm not sure.

2. Powerfull server for high traffic / database type sites. Dual Processor, SCSI, Raid capabilities, and 2 ethernet ports.
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I'm mostly interested in 1., the cheaper server, although discussion about the more powerful server would be nice as well.

Main Parts and related questions:
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1. Where and what 1U case to get, how big should power supply be?
Here is a sample website with cases for sale:
http://www.online-spectrum.com/RackmountMain/rackmount_sub.htm
$200-$350 with power supply 180 watt

2. What and where to get mobo?
Don't know much here.
$??? (i've seen mention of $400-$450, hoping it's less)

3. Low profile memory? (not sure if this is still a major issue)
256MB Crucial, etc....
$35.00

4. Intel or AMD? I personally like AMD but Intel has a stronger name.
1Ghz either chip
$80 for AMD $150 for Intel

5. Hard drive, cheapest or just go with IBM GXPs IDE/ATA?
20GB - 40GB
$80 for cheap, $120 for 40GB IBM

6. Ethernet is usually built into mobo, right?
FREE

7. Am I missing anything? Don't really need sound, CDROM, Floppy. Maybe I should have at least a floppy.
$20 floppy

Are there places to get volume discounts on 5-10 qty?

TOTAL Price (without really knowing much yet) would be in the area of $800-$900. Similar systems would probably go for just over $1000 from a vendor.

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NOTES:
I've build plenty of desktop computers
I'm familiar with pricewatch.com and resellerratings.com
I've searched this board and found dozens of vednors who sell already built systems.
I'm looking at building 5-10 to start with, and up to 40+ down the road if all goes well. So saving a couple hundred dollars isn't bad, plus I would have a few extra parts laying around.


TIA for you feedback

You will need to get a special power supply for it. and Low profile ram. and everything else is the same. (right?):cool:

From my own experience .. furget about it

Call Dell or get a Supermicro Server .. it costs more, but it will also give you less headaches

I just successfully build myself a 1u server. Here's what it costed me:

GigaByte/Enlight bare-bones dual P3 system (1u case, 250W, 6 fans, slim CD drive and floppy, two copper heat sinks, IDE RAID) = $820
dual P3 933 Mhz $180 each x 2 = $360
4 sticks of 256 Mb ECC PC133 RAM $40 each (1 Gb total )= $160
2 ATA100 20 Gb Fujitsu HDDs (fastest IDE drives on the market right now) $90 each (40 Gb total) = $180

Total price: $1520

Similar ready-to-order systems = $2200+
Similar system from DELL = $2700+

If I was into hardware, I would've already started my own business with profit margines this high. :)

Can I ask you where u bought the components for that server?

Chris

Originally posted by fatale
I just successfully build myself a 1u server. Here's what it costed me:

GigaByte/Enlight bare-bones dual P3 system (1u case, 250W, 6 fans, slim CD drive and floppy, two copper heat sinks, IDE RAID) = $820
dual P3 933 Mhz $180 each x 2 = $360
4 sticks of 256 Mb ECC PC133 RAM $40 each (1 Gb total )= $160
2 ATA100 20 Gb Fujitsu HDDs (fastest IDE drives on the market right now) $90 each (40 Gb total) = $180

Total price: $1520

Similar ready-to-order systems = $2200+
Similar system from DELL = $2700+

If I was into hardware, I would've already started my own business with profit margines this high. :)

yeah, that's what I used to think as well, until I started to realise that all my clones crash in a weekly base, while the brand name (and very well built) go on for months :(

hi,

we built our server and not had any problems yet

we are based in the uk so parts are a bit more expensive

we use standard size memory, low profile stuff wasnt needed

motherboard, this was for a celeron proc but it only cost about $100 and it had onboard video/sound/lan and then we added an lan card in the pci slot

you would need video, else the system would not boot up

reliability wise we have had it connected for a month now and it has never crashed, it has been rebooted twice due to us upgrading software.

i would recommend building yourself as $2000+ for a server seems very expensive, especially with a p3 1ghz , 256 + 60gb only costing about $1000 to build

Originally posted by fatale
I just successfully build myself a 1u server. Here's what it costed me:

GigaByte/Enlight bare-bones dual P3 system (1u case, 250W, 6 fans, slim CD drive and floppy, two copper heat sinks, IDE RAID) = $820
dual P3 933 Mhz $180 each x 2 = $360
4 sticks of 256 Mb ECC PC133 RAM $40 each (1 Gb total )= $160
2 ATA100 20 Gb Fujitsu HDDs (fastest IDE drives on the market right now) $90 each (40 Gb total) = $180

Total price: $1520

Similar ready-to-order systems = $2200+
Similar system from DELL = $2700+

If I was into hardware, I would've already started my own business with profit margines this high. :)

Whoa... I could build your system in a 1U chassis that cost only $1200 or even less!

I've learned that for DIY systems to be stable, it should be burned in with some stress testing software and all. Learnt all that when I was so interested in overclocking. Apparently found out that Dell/Gateway/etc does burn-in their system with certain in-house software before granting approval to ship out a machine. Go figure! :D

I have found that low-profile RAM is not required for the Intel 815E motherboards, haven't worked with others... but don't assume you need it -- Crucial (Micron) 256MB module RAM fits fine in my systems.

Does Low profile cost more?Or is it the same price?

low profile costs more and harder to find. Most "real server motherboards" have slanted slots.

12 months ago high density modules used to be "oversized' and you had to pay special attention. But these days, especially with 256MB modules, standard size or low-profile is easy to find.

I guess you guys haven't used (or seen) QSOL?
http://qsol.com/

I'm thinking that some of their cheapest stuff is several hundred dollars cheaper than building yourself -- and they have a 3 year warranty!

Dan

What is some of there cheapest stuff?

you would need video, else the system would not boot up

You do not need video.. you just need a OS that supports no video..

We build our own servers and have had no problems at all

12:24am up 71 days, 5:48, 1 user, load average: 0.29, 0.41, 0.48

We took it down 71 days ago to add more ram .....