I dont have anything yet, and i'm thinking about builting my ownserver.

I have 1.5K just for a server., and planning to go for intel.
What kind of memory cards that we should use for servers (ECC or NON ECC)? Do i need to have an Aluminium Case? What about Processor? and MotherBoard?

Do i need fans to keep the server cool down? Do i need to have a large HD? Do i need to have a CD/DVD Buner? Do i need a floppy Disk?

Should i install Window or Unix? Whick version is better? I do have Window Server 2003, i dont know if it good enough.

After windows/unix installed, what else do i need to install and setup?

I'm new to this, but i want to learn. That 1.5 K is for me to learn how to built a server, and have it work.

Your asking very basic questions. A lot of this depends on what this server is going to be doing. And I would recommend AMD as a server processor. They are amazing with a 64 bit OS.

If your new to this I would recommend you put the 1.5k towards a good server at a good datacenter and get a hang of it. Once you do so and are successful in your business then go ahead and begin building boxes and colocating it.

As for right now, i have only one forum, and the server that im hosting with is not as good as i expected.

I want to have this server builted so that i can host for my own site ( It gonna get big soon). Thats all at this moment. I know with that much money i could get a better server, or a dedicated server, but i really want to learn how to built a server and have it working.

try tomshardware.com (http://tomshardware.com) , for basics on how to do some pc stuff...

The problem with your own server is the bandwidth, you need to get a dedicated ip from your broadband isp

Should i install Window or Unix? Whick version is better? I do have Window Server 2003, i dont know if it good enough.


Depends on what you want to do with it. However, they'll both work equally as well. Just choose which ever your familiar with. :)

If you're looking to run PHP, it can be installed on IIS if you wish, or you can use Apache on Linux. If you're looking to run ASP/ASP.net, you must use Win 2003.

You really don't need all that money and stuff. It's way cheaper to just rent a dedicated server if you're just starting out small. Colocation will only be cheaper than having a dedicated server only after running it for about two years. If you are new, it is highly not recommended that you build your own server. It is highly suggested that you start building your own desktops before you try a server.

You should just probably get a simple P4 or AthlonXP dedicated and get it over with. Those should easily be able to handle a large forum.

Well, that depends. He could be looking at this as a learning experience - in which case he may want to build it.

I know before I got started in computing, I wanted to know how to assemble them first. Not much too it really I know but never the less. ;)

A base athlon 64 Server costs about $500 to build it yourself, thats not two years more like 6 months. now if he was going for a dual opteron or simular them rent might be a better idea. DC's make a decent amount of money of of renting servers.

There really isn't much to learn when putting a server together. Building a server from scratch will not teach you how each hardware component operates/interacts with the other hardware.

Nevertheless, it may be rather fun for some to construct a box from scratch :). However, you don't need $1,500USD to build a server. You could put something good together with about $600-700USD. Nonetheless, you may even try to build two separate types of servers with that $1,500.

You may have two different hardware/software platforms to play with. For example, build an Intel Based system running a variant of UNIX and an AMD based system running a variant of Windows.

I believe the best way to learn anything is by doing all of the practical work and research on your own. The requirements for your server will strictly depend on it's soul purpose. Give us an outline of what you intend on using this server for in the real world along with any expansions you have in mind.

There really isn't much to learn when putting a server together.


I know when I learnt - it was a lot easier for me to remember what did what when I could see them, but then I'm more hands on than book reading.

I know when I learnt - it was a lot easier for me to remember what did what when I could see them, but then I'm more hands on than book reading.


So, by sticking the CPU in you could tell how the FSB interacts with the CPU? I suppose we're referring to two different things here. I'm talking about getting an understanding of how the internals of everything operates/functions. Surely building a system is not going to tell you how data is read on the hard drive?

Oh no - not at all... that's not what I'm saying.

What I'm saying is - it gives you a basic insight as to what does what... I am talking the very basics of course.

Surely building a system is not going to tell you how data is read on the hard drive?

Taking a drive a part helps... :) Of course it's highly unlikely to work again afterwards. :P

building a pc and server is the same. if you know how to build pc then you just replace the desktop part with server grade part or if you build a sup up pc you can use it as server.

the line between pc and sever had really blurred by dedicated server provider. for example, LT have AMD Sempron, and Celeron, are they server grade hardware, no. can they do web hosting/game server/file server...etc. yes, do you think it can handle massive load, maybe not.

heck, you can even stick a laptop on a net and call it a server.