I have a pc sitting at home that's basically useless right now. The current specs are:

Dual P3 800EB 133Mhz
Abit VP6 Motherboard (Via chipset)
64MB Generic NVIDIA GeForce 2 based Video Card
256 MB PC 133 SDRAM
20 GB WD Hard drive
Linksys 10/100 NIC

My thought was to up the ram to 1-1.5GB and swap the 20 GB hard drive for an 80 GB instead, install Linux and other software I need for my site. Then, I thought I could send the server out to AtWebHost for colocation at $79 / month w/ 500 GB transfer and replace my current server setup.

My current setup is with Transoptics/Hostmania and is only a Celeron 1Ghz, 512 MB RAM and 40 GB hard drive. Bandwidth is Cogent only and I'm currently paying $140+ / month for this!

I'm just wondering if this would be a good setup with RH Linux... will the chipset have problems... what about the video card? I'm used to already having Linux installed for me, so I'm not sure where to pick up the correct copies, etc.

I think this pc will be more than enough for us. Right now things are just fine, but we're awaiting the arrival of the Lancer Evo and there will probably be big surge in usage. FYI, our site is basically 100% database driven so it may be more CPU/memory intensive then a typical site.

Thanks,

Mark

I don't see there being any problems. That is a really solid board, I've used it before. The only thing that you might want to look at is putting in a 3Com NIC. Also, make sure with the new hard drive you get that you get at least 7200 RPM. That would round out the system quite nicely.

and if you put it into a small rack or something make sure you have plenty of fans pulling the heat out of the box..

It sucks to have hardware die because you didn't spend $15 on a fan.. :-)

You shouldn't have any problems with that Video Card. I have used that one on Linux and there were no problems.

Is that $79 quote for a 4u space? Generally thats the amount of space needed to fit a tower.

No, it's their special:

Mid-tower colocation
10/100 switched port
500 GB bandwidth
Month to month contract
5 IP addresses
Extra bandwidth @ $1 / GB
$79 per month, $30 setup!

Yeah, I'm basing the price on their current special. I'm using an InWin mid tower case with 2 case fans. I got the retail version of the CPUs so I've been using the Intel fans up to this point. They seem to have done well... the computer is on 24/7 w/ 0 reboots unless I needed to. I also have some huge GlobalWin (I think that's what they are) fans I could replace the Intel fans with. I'll definately get a 7200 rpm drive.

One other question... what would I need in order to remotely reboot the server? I don't think this is included with colo through AtWebHost.

Thanks,

Mark

why do you need a 64mb video card for a server???? use an 8mb and save money!

I just have that card already in the pc. I guess I could pay to replace it and use the 64MB card someother way... or just sell it :)

Mark

If you think about it. You probally won't ever have a monitor connected to it. Only for SSH anyway. so I guess you could swap it out with a $15 card.

Is this a good deal on memory for the server? I was going to go with Crucial memory, but this seems to be a good deal with free (2nd day shipping):

http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80316-K

Mark