Looking for a lightweight server/build

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snowflake

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Sep 24, 2016
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I've been trying to learn how to build my own server but during my research I read that for the sake of money and performance, it would be better to buy one. But from all the 2U rackmount servers (the type I am looking for), I have not found one to be in the <20lbs range. If possible I could go for one that was built or go back to my original idea of building my own. My budget is $500 but I am willing to go above for a little bit.

I should also note that the main purpose of the home server would be an all in one. (Wi-fi router, network file share, web development server, and anything else one would use for a home server) I already have an HDD and SSD handy to cut my costs a little. I needed at least one gigabit port so that the ssd speeds wouldn't be bottlenecked on transfer. Hopefully the build or whatever server I get won't sound like a jet engine, or else I might have to drop the idea.

Here I'll list the specs that I currently have in my shopping cart:
2U Chassis: Athena Power RM-2UC238 Black 1.0mm SECC 2U Rackmount Server Case PS3 Single 2 External 5.25" Drive Bays - Server Chassis - Newegg.com
Power Supply: iStarUSA TC-350PD3 20+4Pin 350W Single PS3 Power Supply - Newegg.com
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary LGA 1150 Intel H97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220V3 Haswell 3.1GHz LGA 1150 80W Server Processor BX80646E31220V
Gigabit Switch: 8 Port Way Ethernet Network RJ45 Gigabit 10/100/1000Mbps Switch Splitter LAN Hub
Wireless Adapter: New 3 Antenna Mini PCI-E to PCI-E Express X1 WiFi Wireless Extender Card Adapter
Access Point (maybe?): New 300Mbps Wireless Wifi High Power Router Wall Mount Ceiling AP Access Point
CPU Cooling: Dynatron K17 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler for Intel LGA Socket 1151 / 1150 / 1155 / 11

I am more than willing to listen to any opinions or suggestions that may help to improve this build.
 

TLN

Active Member
Feb 26, 2016
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I can throw another idea: HP Microserver G8.
It might end up a little more, than $500, but it's nice small box, that does everything you're looking for. It's silent and small.
For AP/Switch I'd go with Mikrotik. You can even run Mikrotik as VM Instance. It supports save cpu, as you have - e3-1220, however 1230 or 1265 is a better choice, i think. (1230 gives you HT, 1265L - ht+ low voltage).

I'm currently typing from that box. I've passed through a videocard, and using it as my desktop/nas/dev machine. I'm living in studio, and it works 24/7 within several foot from me bed - not completely silent, but noise was never an issue.
 
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snowflake

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Sep 24, 2016
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I can throw another idea: HP Microserver G8.
It might end up a little more, than $500, but it's nice small box, that does everything you're looking for. It's silent and small.
For AP/Switch I'd go with Mikrotik. You can even run Mikrotik as VM Instance. It supports save cpu, as you have - e3-1220, however 1230 or 1265 is a better choice, i think. (1230 gives you HT, 1265L - ht+ low voltage).

I'm currently typing from that box. I've passed through a videocard, and using it as my desktop/nas/dev machine. I'm living in studio, and it works 24/7 within several foot from me bed - not completely silent, but noise was never an issue.
Sorry but that's way over my budget. Plus, I like the idea of having a rackmount server. Gives me a bit of a headstart in creating my homelab. If I didn't mind about the type of server I wanted and budget, I would go for the one you recommended.
 

BlueLineSwinger

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Mar 11, 2013
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That PSU looks like old junk to me. It's not even 80+ rated. Look at the Seasonic SSP-300SE, or one of their other models with a rear-facing fan, instead.

Bump up the CPU to at least a E3-1230v3 to get hyperthreading. I wouldn't bother with any of the low-power Xeon CPUs. They're mainly meant for systems that are much more thermally constrained than a 2U chassis, and will save you little if any power usage.

No RAM is listed. Whatever speed/type the chosen mainboard supports should be fine. I'd suggest starting with at least a 2x8 GB configuration, leaving room for additional if needed later.

Are you sure that CPU cooler will fit in a 2U chassis? Regardless, it probably won't gain you anything over the stock cooler.

Is rackmount really a requirement? it does limit your options a bit, and it'll be harder to cool while keeping quiet.

I'm not sure I'd trust any of that eBay networking gear.
 

Patrick

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Dec 21, 2010
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Maybe something like this? Looks pretty decent for the money but you would need to work on cooling 1U Supermicro Hosting Server X9SCL-F Xeon E3-1230 V2 Quad Core 16GB 4 Bay or ASUS RS300-E7/PS4 1U Rackmount Server IntelXeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz 8GB Ram 1TB HD

10Gb XFP (which I do not recommend) Intel 1U Server R1304RPSSFBN w/ S1200V3RPS + E3-1230v3, 16GB, 10GB NIC, Centos

On the microserver I do like it. I bet you could get this for $500 on a best offer and it comes with 4x 1TB drives HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 E3-1220v2 4x1TB Svr/S-buy 783959-S01

Another option I would STRONGLY consider: 8 Core 16GB ECC RAM SuperMicro A1SRi-2758F Mini-ITX Motherboard for NAS ESX PLEX

Get a case of your choosing and fit a fan on the passive heatsink. 20w TDP is really easy to cool. Plenty of network ports and CPU power for a router/ firewall/ NAS server.
 

Chuntzu

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Jun 30, 2013
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That last one for the super micro a1sri made me double take I thought it was you since the user name is atrick-pay and then noticed it was in Oklahoma and realized it wasn't you. But I got a kick out of the pig latin!

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
 

Patrick

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Dec 21, 2010
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That last one for the super micro a1sri made me double take I thought it was you since the user name is atrick-pay and then noticed it was in Oklahoma and realized it wasn't you. But I got a kick out of the pig latin!
Ha! I did not even notice that until now. Thanks for point it out. Too funny. I am still a heavy C2558/ C2758 user.
 

snowflake

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Sep 24, 2016
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I may go to thinking about changing back to a 1u system if it helps with the weight problem. I went for the idea of 2U because I figured there would be more room for our cards.

But also @Patrick
Are those servers <20lbs? (The exception of HP server)

@BlueLineSwinger
I'll switch the PSU as well. Well I forgot about the RAM but that really isn't that big of a concern since I can just fill it in after I've found my parts xD
I would say that I prefer to have a rackmount.
 

Blinky 42

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Aug 6, 2015
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Out of curiosity, are you looking for something < 20 lbs so it is more portable, you need to ship it around, or something like weight limits on how you intend to install it? That could help suggesting something that works for your application better.

You said you have SSD & HDs already, using 3.5" drives will add a lot to the weight of the system and may be a place to swap $ for weight if you don't need that much storage.
 

snowflake

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Sep 24, 2016
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Out of curiosity, are you looking for something < 20 lbs so it is more portable, you need to ship it around, or something like weight limits on how you intend to install it? That could help suggesting something that works for your application better.

You said you have SSD & HDs already, using 3.5" drives will add a lot to the weight of the system and may be a place to swap $ for weight if you don't need that much storage.
I'm trying to put it on a shelf and I don't know how sturdy it is so I'm trying to be as safe as possible. I'm using something along the lines of this right now:
5 Tier Metal Plant Stand Decorative Planter Holder Flower Pot Shelf Rack Bookcas | eBay

Not exactly that product but similar.
 

Blinky 42

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Aug 6, 2015
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If your shelf isn't very deep like that then I would consider chassis along the lines of Supermicro | Products | Chassis | 1U | SC510-203B and the other SC5xx models that are all small and light (~10lbs). Also some of the mass-produced workstations and workstation chassis are not very heavy because they can be made out of light materials as they don't need to be supported from 2 ears at the front of the chassis.
 

snowflake

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Sep 24, 2016
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I figure that my words aren't probably as good as showing the actual space so here's a picture. I'm really liking everyone's ideas. I'm actually considering going towards 1U but is there even the slightest possibility of a 2U server since I will be adding some nics in there?

 

Marsh

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May 12, 2013
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Just asking, are you planning to put the server next to the green plants?
 

snowflake

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Sep 24, 2016
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Just asking, are you planning to put the server next to the green plants?
The plants will be moved no need to worry about that.

And I just found a flaw. The depth won't be enough for a regular rackmount server :mad:
 

TLN

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Feb 26, 2016
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I wanted to comment, that if you're going to grow and build a full rack for testing, then microserver is not a good idea. But building something interesting requires a bit more investment. Personally I believe that Microserver is really good thing for what you mentioned.
Another idea is older tower server. I'm pretty sure you can get a G8 tower for that price. Just put it on a floor. Put plants on top.
 

tenet

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May 4, 2015
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Ix-nay on the dynatron cooler. I own one and it doesn't cool that processor enough, the fan will always be running. If I might suggest the following (assuming you go with SSDs):

1-Supermicro X10SLH-F Motherboard (X10SLH-F-O Supermicro LGA1150/ Intel C226 PCH/ DDR3/ SATA3&USB3.0/ V&2GbE/ MicroATX Server Motherboard - Xeon Server Motherboard - SuperBiiz.com) $199.99
1-Xeon E3-1231 v3 3.4GHz (BX80646E31231V3 Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3 Quad-Core Haswell Processor 3.4GHz 5.0GT/s 8MB LGA 1150 CPU, Retail - Intel Xeon - SuperBiiz.com) $249.98
1-Samsung DDR3-1600 8GB (M391B1G73QH0-YK0) (- - SuperBiiz.com) $58.18
1-Supermicro SNK-P0046A4 Processor Heatsink (SNK-P0046A4 Supermicro 2U+ Active Heatsink For LGA1156/ 1155/ 1150 - Server Fans & Heatsinks - SuperBiiz.com) $29.98
1-Supermicro internal 2 bay 2.5" for SSD (MCP-220-00044-0N) NeweggBusiness - SUPERMICRO MCP-220-00044-0N 1x3.5" to 2x2.5" HD Converter Bracket For 5015A Series Barebone - Server Accessories $6.98
1-Supermicro CSE-502-200B chassis (NeweggBusiness - SUPERMICRO CSE-502L-200B Black 1U Rackmount Mini Server Chassis 200W) $77.98

Grand total (including shipping): $623.09

Yes, it breaks your budget. The ~$45 premium you pay for nets you server grade parts, and IMO, the best thing, IPMI.

I should note that you never really mention what you intend to use it for, which probably has a larger impact on what one would recommend.

Edit: Whoops. I meant CSE-502, not 504
 
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Netwerkz101

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Dec 27, 2015
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@tenet - How would you fit that Heatsink/fan combo in a 1U chassis?

@snowflake - consider 3U: 3U (1 x 5.25" Open + 3 x 3.5" HDD Bay) (ATX / Micro-ATX / Mini ITX) (11.81" Deep) (Front / Rear) (Rackmount Wallmount Chassis) IPC-3013S (PLinkUSA.com / RackBuy.com)
- 12" depth
- Room for larger/quieter cooling gear
- Room for full height add-in cards

Note:
Nothing wrong with 1U chassis ...it's just they are hard to cool and keep quiet at same time.
40mm Noctua fans are very quiet but you would likely need 2+ to keep anything other than an atom/avoton processor cool. You are also usually limited to using a single PCIe slot too.

If you are in the Lower 48 states and interested in used gear, I have the following combo:

MOTHERBOARD:
============
SuperMicro X10SL7-F-O uATX LGA 1150 Intel C222
(The I/O shield will be included as well, but no screws/standoffs for mounting)
Supermicro | Products | Motherboards | Xeon® Boards | X10SL7-F

PROCESSOR:
==========
Intel Xeon E3-1220V3 Haswell 3.1GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1150 80W
Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1220 v3 (8M Cache, 3.10 GHz) Specifications

CPU COOLER:
===========
Stock Intel CPU Fan

MEMORY:
=======
Crucial 32GB (2x (2 x 8GB)) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Crucial 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) DDR3L-1600 ECC UDIMM | CT2KIT102472BD160B | Crucial.com

Feel free to PM me if interested before I list the combo for sale.