Configuration for a cheap home server?

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bikalpapaudel

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Hi guys!

I need to set up a linux server in my home for file/printer sharing, backups and media streaming. I will just need a CPU, Motherboard, RAM, HDD and PSU. I already have an extra ATX tower cabinet that I can use. Can one get a special small form factor cabinet available as well? Will get that too, if price is sensible.

Would have used the recommended format for asking a configuration, but as my needs are pretty different and have mentioned them already, I thought it wouldn't be required.

I would also like if I could keep power consumption and noise levels to a minimum.

What is the cheapest I can get everything done in? I wouldn't like to spend more than INR 10,000.

I will be probably get the stuff from Delhi, so please tell me where and in which shop exactly I can get all of that in Delhi for a good price without much bargaining.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

Oh well, I will need about 1 TB of storage. And perhaps something that is not too old. I don't need it to be fast, just recent - as in it should support the latest technology, like DDR3 RAM and stuff.
 
@ALPHA17 I found that the template does not exactly work for somebody looking for stuff that I am. Many questions are unnecessary, many other things would go unanswered. Which is what I meant to say in my first post.

Still, here goes.

Q: What is your budget?

The least possible with which I can get hardware necessary for my usage. Think around 10k.

Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy?

CPU - Any dual core or above.

Motherboard - Gigabit Ethernet. Onboard graphics with DVI-D support. Should support discrete GFX, fast DDR3 RAM - like 1333 Mhz, SATA III - can compromise.

RAM - 2 GB or above.

HDD - 1 TB or above.

PSU - Something reliable, producing relatively clean power.

Q: Where will you buy this hardware?

Delhi. I hear Nehru Place is the place to go. Please tell me where to go and which shop offers good prices without much bargaining.

Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware?

Home server for file, media streaming

24/7 download rig

Local web server

Web browsing

Q: What is your preferred monitor resolution for gaming and normal usage?

Should support my 1920 x 1080 DVI monitor, if I decide to connect it.

Q: Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?

Linux and Windows both. I would love if I could put in Mac OS X on it as well. But well, not important. Just need something reliable for a server.

Q: What else?

Doesn't need to be powerful (obviously, at such low price) but should be upgradeable, with regards to RAM, CPU and GPU; if I decide to turn it into our family desktop later. Just for the peace of mind, I prefer to have an upgradeable computer, as I tend to use them long before retiring. Still, the most important use is - low power consuming, low heat producing, low noise producing, fairly upgradeable and reliable computer that I can trust with my data, media and backups.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---
dOm1naTOr said:
AMD Athlon II X2 250 3.0 Ghz: 2.6k

Asus M4A68 LT-E: 2.4k

2TB WD Green: 4.2k

2GB DDR3 value : 0.8k

total 10k
Click to expand...

Would that rig have any heat/noise issues compared to Intels? I don't think so, but still. Also, can you compare that CPU to some Intel Core 2 Duo, so that I will be able to relate with how powerful it is?

Will that board accept upgrades to newer CPUs later? Maybe this is asking too much. Still, is it AM3 compatible?

Wow. That WD Green HDD is cheap. I've been outdated on PC prices for quite some time.

I also need a PSU. A reliable one with clean power output for low/mid range rigs like that.
 
Guys? How about an Intel Atom processor + Board? Can we get those in Micro ATX format? If not, where and for how much can we get cheap Mini ITX cabinets here, that will still fit a couple of HDDs?

Let's say what's the cheapest way to approach a home server setup, if I forego the capability to transcode media?
 
^^ The ATOM is going to be split up into further sub-atomic particles if you try to run a server of it, aim for a dual-core minimum, wait for sometime extend your budget by ~5000/- and go for a much better tri-core / quad-core set-up from AMD, but if you're inflexible on budget and time, here goes --

AMD Athlon IIx3 440 ~ 3400/-

[cheapest compatible board which will be 760G based] -- 2500/-

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB ~ 2700/- [add another 1TB later down the line and then, you'll have data redundancy as well], I'm not recommending a Western Digital Green because I've had bad experiences with them.

2GB Kingston / Corsair ValueRAM ~ 900/-

FSP Saga II 350W ~ 1500/- this will be the most important part of your system, buying anything else on the cheap will be the stupidest thing you can do for a back-up system, so don't compromise on this equipment please.

Any Zebronics / iBall / VIP of your choice ~ 1200/-

Hope this helps, Sire and I've not been rude.
 
^ Thanks. So AMD is the way to go for this price, eh? And I don't need a cabinet. And why would you have been rude? :P

Can somebody recommend an Intel configuration for the same kind of performance, so that I can compare the price?
 
Athlon X2 250 compares to Pentium Dual core E5700, but The X2 250 is better in most aspects and is cheaper too. Performance is really close to E7400 comparing to a C2D. And Athlon II runs really cool, you wont even see them beyond 40 ~45c in non overclocked condition and its quiet enough too. Just set the CPU fan to intelligent/silent in BIOS. And its and Am3 proccy and that mobo i suggested too is Am3. You can upgrade to any quad/hex Phenoms on same mobo too with 95W or lesser tdp and it can run 125w proccy too (one of my friend is us8ing the combo for 1 yr) but dont think of ocing on that mobo.

and +1 to FSP Saga 350. It can easily handle the config and offer long life for the components.
 
Components Description Price (INR)

Processor AMD Athlon II x2 250 2750

Motherboard Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-S2 2450

RAM Kingston 2GB DDRIII 1333MHz 700

HDD Seagate 1TB 7200.12 2800

PSU FSP SAGAII 350w 1500

Total 10200

If Intel then Intel PDC E5700 ~ 3k and Gigabyte G41M-T S2P ~ 2.45k

If you can spend a bit more then you can get the latest Sandy bridge CPU and H61 mobo. It has much better IGP.Intel PDC G620 ~ 3.45k and Intel DH61WW ~ 3.2k or Gigabyte H61M-D2-B3 ~ 3.4k
 
Components Description Price (INR)
Processor AMD Athlon II x2 250 2750
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-S2 2450
RAM Kingston 2GB DDRIII 1333MHz 700
HDD Seagate 1TB 7200.12 2800
PSU FSP SAGAII 350w 1500
Total 10200

If Intel then Intel PDC E5700 ~ 3k and Gigabyte G41M-T S2P ~ 2.45k
If you can spend a bit more then you can get the latest Sandy bridge CPU and H61 mobo. It has much better IGP.Intel PDC G620 ~ 3.45k and Intel DH61WW ~ 3.2k or Gigabyte H61M-D2-B3 ~ 3.4k
 
bikalpapaudel said:
I need to set up a linux server in my home for file/printer sharing, backups and media streaming.
Click to expand...

I would suggest that you have a look at TonidoPlug - Tiny, Low Power, Low Cost, Linux Home Server | Access your files, music and media from anywhere

It can do all that you require (you need to connect it to a USB HDD though).

Plus it will have a lower electricity consumption than a full fledged computer and will result in a lot of savings, especially if you are going to run it 24x7.
 
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