windows home server

[Chris Linder]

Guys
I'm building another windows home server for a client , Whats the best mother board to use that will work well under long periods of being on. I guess im looking for a good business class board. That and would it be worth putting a quad core for windows home server. I was thinking 2Gigs ram.



?



Thanks

[EzyStvy]

A server class mobo would in theory last longer then a standard mobo if ran 24/7. But at 2 to 3 times cost, I'm not sure it'd be worth it.

The quad core might come in handy if you're backing up 100+ computers. How many machines are you talking about.

[Panama Red]

In a true HOME environment with 6 machines or less, I don't think the cpu will make that much difference. My first build for WHS used a 2.2GHz Celeron on an Asus 845 Chipset mobo. I'm still using the same board now with a 2.66 P4.

Here's some things I would consider important.
1- the amount of hdd storage. Make sure to use 2 like sized hard drives. I prefer Seagate sata. Something in the 320 - 500 range would be good.
2 - gigabit lan. Might as well get a mobo with it built in and add gigabit lan cards to the pc's it will serve. You'll also need a gigiabit switch before any router currently in use.
3- power supply. Think in terms of efficiency rather than max power. Mine has a 380watt Antec Earthwatts. I'd highly recommend that one.

Here's a link to MS's "WHS Getting Started Guide". Pay particular attention to the 32bit-64bit info as well as the Network router/firewall requirements.

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ingStarted.pdf

Notice MS doesnt' recommend a large amount of ram. 512Mb is the minimum and the recommended. Mine has 1Gb cuz I had a 2x512 kit in stock at the time I built it.

edit:

Had some time to do a little digging at Newegg and came up with a mobo and cpu idea for your consideration:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131350

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116039

That's less than $100 and gives you onboard video (for setup) and a gigabit lan. Throw in a Gig of Corsair Value select @ $7.40/512 stick and you have a great platform.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145529

psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371005

case, pick one of these Rosewills with 120mm fan for quiet, efficient cooling:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

[Chris Linder]

just two systems at home , notebook and main gaming rig.

OOO my god. I was going to just buy the server from HP but with your idea I have a grand start at only $100.00 ..... WOW Im ordering now. Ill put 1Gig ram and stick a 500Gig drive in it. I have another 500G drive at home so Ill just raid it and make 1tGigs


I love this site so much
Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Panama Red]

No need to raid the drives. When you run two like you plan, one will automatically become redundant to the other. That way you have a full backup should one of those drives fail.

[cmichael258]

If you're gaming, you might need to add a graphics card, rather than use the onboard video.

[Chris Linder]

who games on a server ? WHS is not to be used as a PC at all. It runs in the background of all your other PCs at home.

Guys I came up with a list, I upped the processor to a 2.0 I think Im going to order unless I hear any good ideas. O and yes WHS runs the drives as redundant automatically when you add a drive, Thats what I meant not raid. sorry !!!


http://i511.photobucket.com/albums/s...Newegglist.jpg

[Panama Red]

Push the "order" button. Looks good to me. You buying the OEM software or do you already have a copy?

[Chris Linder]

Ya I have a copy I got a wile back. Iv been building these things with other systems like DELLs and HP. This is my first custom built one. I have three copys that are unopened.




Thanks for your help man