So, here's the deal. In the coming weeks, I'll be building a Nerd Forum server. It won't be for the site itself, but it will be host to things like a Minecraft server, retro gaming servers, and many test projects. There is a $500 budget limit to start, though building one that can be expanded upon is encouraged. The budget does not include software, a case, or RAM, provided non-ecc ram can be used. Ebay, and other used parts dealers are perfectly acceptable, nothing has to be new.
Lets see some suggestions.
Lets build a computer!
Started by SpleenBeGone, Feb 03 2013 02:29 PM
43 replies to this topic
#1
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 02:29 PM
#2
Coconut Man
-
- Members
-
- 798 posts
Gigabyte
- LocationThe latest Smash Major
Posted 03 February 2013 - 02:31 PM
Can I see a PayPal link (at some point, not now) to donate more towards the $500 budget?
#3
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 02:32 PM
Sure, I can make that happen if anyone wants to donate, but I have $500 of my own, personal money to spend.
#4
Coconut Man
-
- Members
-
- 798 posts
Gigabyte
- LocationThe latest Smash Major
Posted 03 February 2013 - 02:38 PM
Alright, maybe we can make our own DnD client and connect to said server and have some serious fun! 
I'm not so good in the Mac department, but a quick Google search resulted in this.
CPU:Intel Pentium G645 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard:ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory:Pareema 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card:XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($158.98 @ Newegg)
Case:NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($31.64 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive:Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
I'm thinking about building my own computer sometime soon, so I'll probably start researching this more.
I'm not so good in the Mac department, but a quick Google search resulted in this.
CPU:Intel Pentium G645 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard:ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory:Pareema 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card:XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($158.98 @ Newegg)
Case:NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($31.64 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive:Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
I'm thinking about building my own computer sometime soon, so I'll probably start researching this more.
#5
Dasherman
-
- Members
-
- 496 posts
Megabyte
- LocationAzeroth and Sanctuary, simultaneously by using quantum powers
Posted 03 February 2013 - 02:41 PM
I don't think an optical drive will be neccesary, or do you like one?
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
(//MihiPotestasSit\\)
(//MihiPotestasSit\\)
#6
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 02:50 PM
No optical drive needed. No video card either. It's a server, not a gaming rig.
#7
Coconut Man
-
- Members
-
- 798 posts
Gigabyte
- LocationThe latest Smash Major
Posted 03 February 2013 - 02:55 PM
Okay, besides that, is it good?
#8
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 03:20 PM
Honestly, the processor is very limiting, as well as the ram. Also, no case needed, as it's going in an old rackmount.
#9
Dasherman
-
- Members
-
- 496 posts
Megabyte
- LocationAzeroth and Sanctuary, simultaneously by using quantum powers
Posted 03 February 2013 - 03:27 PM
Are you going for Xeon?
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
(//MihiPotestasSit\\)
(//MihiPotestasSit\\)
#10
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 03:39 PM
Xeon or Opteron, not picky. That's why I said ebay would be fine though, much cheaper to find those parts second hand.
#11
Guest_ElatedOwl_*
Guest_ElatedOwl_*
-
- Guests
Posted 03 February 2013 - 05:00 PM
You leaning towards Windows Server or linux? Also, you virtualizing each server purpose separately (ie, a VM for minecraft server, seperate VM for some other game) or letting it all sit on the same OS?
#12
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 05:08 PM
I honestly haven't decided yet. I was waiting to see some hardware ideas, and see what would work best. I may split it into 3 VM's, one for minecraft, one for retro games, and one for steam games. Windows server would be easier, just because I have more experience, but I have successfully set up two *nix webservers, so it could be done, if it would make things run better overall.
#13
Guest_ElatedOwl_*
Guest_ElatedOwl_*
-
- Guests
Posted 03 February 2013 - 05:38 PM
I like virtualizing for a few reasons personally,
But there are advantages to not virtualizing (ie, managing server software across multiple platforms and keeping it up to date can be a pain)
As far as windows vs. linux I can't speak too much there. If it were me I would do windows purely because that's what I'm comfortable with.
- Forced restarts don't take down everything (IE patch something on the minecraft VM and you don't have to restart the retro games and steam games server)
- Back ups are easier - can literally just back up the VM and be done with it
- Event logs stay cleaner, easier to search through etc. etc.
- Everything is isolated, if someone somehow breaks in if the security is set up right (which it is by default on most platforms) they're contained to JUST the VM.
But there are advantages to not virtualizing (ie, managing server software across multiple platforms and keeping it up to date can be a pain)
As far as windows vs. linux I can't speak too much there. If it were me I would do windows purely because that's what I'm comfortable with.
#14
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 05:47 PM
Honestly, if it won't make a performance difference, I'd rather do VM's. I just don't want a ton of them floating around, as you said it makes it a pain to keep them all up to date.
Looking around on ebay, 2p 1366 boards can be had for around $100, with compatible 6 core xeons around $200-$300. Would it be better to go with an older system like that, and add a second processor later, or go with something more modern, a single processor 1155/AM3+ with no further upgrade path?
I'm also looking at G34 boards, but since they're still in use, they're a good bit more.
Looking around on ebay, 2p 1366 boards can be had for around $100, with compatible 6 core xeons around $200-$300. Would it be better to go with an older system like that, and add a second processor later, or go with something more modern, a single processor 1155/AM3+ with no further upgrade path?
I'm also looking at G34 boards, but since they're still in use, they're a good bit more.
#15
Guest_ElatedOwl_*
Guest_ElatedOwl_*
-
- Guests
Posted 03 February 2013 - 06:21 PM
Are those 1366s used or just old in packaging still? I don't know if I could ever trust going with a used motherboard, never know how much abuse its taken. What kind of cooling are you going to have available for this? Do you have a room with some AC that you're going to dedicate?
#16
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 06:28 PM
Most of them are used, but look rather clean. I can get quads for rather cheap that are still boxed though.
Cooling wise, I'm going to talk to my boss about putting it in the rack at work, I doubt he'll mind as he normally supports any of my ventures like this. I'll have to measure, but I'm pretty sure I can fit 212's in a 4u case, if not, I'll go with the smaller (92mm?) cooler they have.
Cooling wise, I'm going to talk to my boss about putting it in the rack at work, I doubt he'll mind as he normally supports any of my ventures like this. I'll have to measure, but I'm pretty sure I can fit 212's in a 4u case, if not, I'll go with the smaller (92mm?) cooler they have.
#17
K_N
-
- Members
-
- 576 posts
Megabyte
- LocationPhoenix
Posted 03 February 2013 - 06:32 PM
Speaking as someone who's done this before for a minecraft server, I feel I should warn you that you're going to add $200-400 a month to your power bill, and you'll need to expand your internet connection to the best thing your ISP can offer.
Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.
#18
SpleenBeGone
-
- Administrators
-
- 14,951 posts
Deer Leader of the Goriest Revolution
- LocationHouston
Posted 03 February 2013 - 06:41 PM
I get charged $0.09 kw/h. $200 more a month would be something that runs 3,300 watts. I'm going to discuss with my boss about using our setup at work. if he OK's it, which I'm 99% sure he will, I'm looking at 10Mb/s uploads. If I have to run it from home, I'm looking closer to 5.
#19
Dasherman
-
- Members
-
- 496 posts
Megabyte
- LocationAzeroth and Sanctuary, simultaneously by using quantum powers
Posted 04 February 2013 - 12:08 AM
Your boss sounds cool.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
(//MihiPotestasSit\\)
(//MihiPotestasSit\\)
#20
Matty_poo
-
- Members
-
- 770 posts
Gigabyte
- LocationNew Jersey
Posted 04 February 2013 - 05:35 AM
I'm not great at setting up computer stuffs but seriously, get that paypal up so I can throw some bucks your way. This is awesome.
Mighty horse rocks, he rocks the fat ass.
youtube.com/Geekcitypodcast
soundcloud.com/newgeekcity
