Hello,
I am thinking about building a small game server for use with my friends and maybe even renting a few slots to people. I could build a PC with my eyes closed, however, I have barely any knowledge with servers, so I need your opinions. It will probably be running 24/7 but uptime issues won't be much of a problem as it will be low key and with friends. Thanks.
Two Questions before proceeding ;) :
Should I use Windows Web Server 2008 or a Linux based OS?
I was looking at my Power Supply. Is 550 Watts too much for a application like this without a high end graphics card? Or is it an alright choice?
Full Specifications: Going for a economic server but I think powerful enough machine to run most applications and games. I will probably be using CAT6a cables for LAN. If I have Windows installed (not sure yet), I can get rid of bit of buffer so it will be pretty fast. Additionally, the hard drives will most likely be in RAID 5, if I am using Windows, or if I am not, I'll just have to get a non Windows controller.
Added a bit of cash to each original price to show tax and shipping (if bought online).
CPU:
Intel Xeon E3110 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
$190.00
Motherboard:
ASUS P5BV-C LGA 775 Intel 3200 ATX Server Motherboard
$160.00
Case:
Thermaltake Soprano RS 101 Mid Tower Case Black
$60.00
Hard Drives (2x):
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$160.00
Memory (2x):
2GB 800MHz DDR2 ECC Low-Latency CL4 (4-4-4-12) FBDIMM (Kit of 2)
$260.00
Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
$80.00
OR
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply <<<Less wattage, no overkill?
$60.00
CD Drive:
LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04
$20.00
Thanks for your opinions in advance! :)

I believe it is cheaper to just rent a server. Electricity can be a real bother

your also going to need a really good connection with a brilliant upload speed espcially its really not recommended to run a game server from home, you could however build a server and then get it co-located for a resonable price at a DC

Even so, with all the trouble, your best bet would be to rent a server. It's cheaper and easy managed by the DC as they already have it.

You wouldn't need anything really high end to host one or two game servers. You biggest bottleneck will probably be your upload speed. Aslong as you configure the servers to not overload your uplink when full; it should be fine for you and your friends.

Thanks guys. For the connection and network, I would be using CAT6a cables, with a 10/100/1000 D-Link broadband router. Regarding the bandwidth, I only have 2 mbps upload, but if I were to actually do this, I would probably upgrade to 5, possibly.
However, now that I see reality I may not actually even come through with this project, and if I did it would probably be in another year or so. I will see if I could find another similar project because servers do interest me. Although I have not gone to school for networking or large-scale computing, I would like to get some practice in and experience with them.
Thanks.

Running from servers is a great learning experience. I started with a crappy little box that had an integrated VIA CPU, 512MB RAM, 10GB HDD. I learnt how to configure and run what I needed off of that, e.g. FTP, HTTP, VOIP, Game Servers, etc. I did that with a residential DSL with less than 1MB of upload. The point was more proof of concept and for some friends to join me for some games.
Sounds like your situation is alittle more semi-serious. The server build sounds good, thoug you can save some money but not buying the lowest latency RAM. The second PSU will be enough for that system. The upload you have mentioned will be enough to get you off the ground but don't try to break out into anything serious as most residential connections have a TOS which do not allow servers. Are you putting the HDDs in a RAID?

Hi Lauxenburg,
You could build this server alot cheaper. Since its a server most of them don't really require an Optical Drive. Initially yes use an optical drive for OS Installation and Installation of major apps, from there on you could install apps over your local network connection. Also being a server that will sit in a corner somewhere and not exactly out on display for all to see you don't really need an expensive case, a cheap basic case that doesn't vibrate would suffice. Lastly since you're not looking to have an awesome Graphics Card (or 2) in this system you don't require an SLi Compatible powersupply simply one with reasonable wattage of reasonable quality. If you have the money to spare you could then use what you saved on Case, PSU, Optical Drive to purchase a slightly better Processor.

Creed,
Yes, the HDDs will be in RAID-hopefully 5 or 10 if I ever get the project of the ground.

UsefulPC,
Thanks for your input. I will do some further research on some of the items your mentioned. The PSU is acutally one of the cheapest 80 Plus Certified I could find with good protection and things like that. But, yes, I will keep looking at it. =)

As latency is important on game servers, running from home is usually a bad idea.
You should get a few people to ping and traceroute to your internet connection to start with. If they are receiving higher pings to your servers than others around them, the likelihood that they'll just play in other servers, and you won't want anyone wanting to rent is very high. Although if its just for your friends and family, they MAY not be too bothered.
As others have said, you don't need a CD Drive, you could use the one in your PC or any (if applicable) you have lying about to install the OS, after that, using the network to transfer files and get applications is the best way. Saving money and power - Although at home, i suppose power isn't that big of a deal when compared to a DC.
Again, with game servers and a home connection, your most likely downfall will be the latency. For web servers, its not so bad.
Windows or Linux both run game servers, however depending on the games you play, Linux binaries may take longer to be released (For example, COD5 released in November 08, is still awaiting Linux binary release.)
Nevertheless, starting from home may be the best way for you at the moment if you have the time to learn, however, never put renting out of the question, as then you will have no need to worry about the speed of the network/internet connection and thus those all important latencies for gamers. :)

Lauxenburg,
That computer is junk. What website did you get this from? Their are parts better or the same for better prices.
260$ for 2GB Ram? Wow, please tell me that is a typo!
Xeon processor? Overrated, get a QuadCore & Overlock?
Get a Noctua heatsink, their the best when it comes to cooling their about 70$
You don't need a graphics card for a server thats just blah your not running the game itself your running the server part.
You don't need a server motherboard, get something decent for overclocking Gigabyte and just get a cheap graphics card cheapest you can find that works in PCI-E x16.
Processor - Quad Core Q6600 Can be OC'd past 4.0GHz (easily) mines at 4.5GHz and stays very cool^^ 160$
Heatsink - Noctua NBH-U12 Or something like that, it's what I have. 70-80$
Ram - Any, 2x 2GB Stick DDR2 800MHz 20-30$
Case - Something with decent airflow (thats important)
Fans - Buy as many fans as your case can hold air will break or make your server and its' 24/7 so 30-40$ for fans won't hurt.
Harddrives - That kind of money get 10,000RPM WD Raptors.
OS - Windows Operating System, so ALL games will work on it.

Hope I didn't offend anybody, but I don't want this poor guy wasting money!
Best Regards,
Trent Hallmark

UsefulPC,
Thanks for your input. I will do some further research on some of the items your mentioned. The PSU is acutally one of the cheapest 80 Plus Certified I could find with good protection and things like that. But, yes, I will keep looking at it. =)
You're welcome. I wish you all the best, let us know how your tests go. :)

Sorry to disappoint anyone who has been monitoring this thread, but I just ran into a halting financial problem, and as of now, I do not know if I can even afford to dish out $500, so we will see. Thanks for everyone's input, however.
Lauxenburg

If you do ever look into this again look at renting a server, you would be MUCH better off!

OS - Windows Operating System, so ALL games will work on it.
What game servers do not run on linux? I cant really think of any that are worth playing.

crysis, garrys mod, command and conquer renegade, just a few off my head

What game servers do not run on linux? I cant really think of any that are worth playing.
The entire Call of Duty series are not supported by Activision with regards to Linux.
Linux binaries have to be made by a third party, which often takes weeks and months.
For example, as i mentioned earlier, COD5 which was released in November, is still awaiting Linux binaries...
COD4 took 3 weeks, maybe more, can't recall.
These games are worth playing.. :)

crysis, garrys mod, command and conquer renegade, just a few off my head
There is a Linux FDS for C&C Renegade....;)

Oh lets see, Tom Clancys Rainbow Six 3 RavenShield, has Linux Binarys that don't work at all.
Crysis, says it right their the pc killer yeah thats right..

Just a thought, what game is it? I successfully ran a CounterStrike server in a VPS. It was quite popular as well :)
I ran it on a $25 unmanaged windows VPS. Worked great.