Cheaper server build

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Parmenides

Supreme [H]ardness
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I'm looking for suggestions for a server:

In this thread: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1455484 there were some suggestions for a cheaper server. I thought the suggested hardware might be a good fit for what I have. Just wondered what you think.

The server will be for:
-Non-profit office.
-Potential to facilitate remote desktop connections for 5 simultaneous users.
-The programs ran on it will be mainly SQL server and MS Access.
-No heavy number crunching except for rare times when an admin will preform database calculations. (Other users should be off at such time anyways). Performance is not an issue here.
-RAID
-WIll be using Server 2000, possibly 2003

I'm trying to keep this under a $400 budget, but not an absolute.
 
AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model ADX620WFGIBOX - Retail and ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail combo $194

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT - Retail $69

POWERCOLOR AX4350 512MD2-H Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $35

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $60 Free shipping with promo code EMCMMLP22, ends 11/9

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $50

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $55

Microsoft Windows Home Server 32 Bit 1 Pack (Power pack 1) - OEM $100

Total Before S&H $563 w/ OS.
 
We have Server 2000 already (not 2003). Would Microsoft Home Server be a good option for web applications?
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 Gskill DDR2 800 4gb kit $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273369 Asus M4785M/Athlon II x4 620 combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119088 Coolermaster Centurion Case $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371005 Antec Earthwatts 380 $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231207 Gskill 4gb DDR2 800 kit. $88.99 (crime in italy)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395 Barracuda 7200.12 500GB $54.99 (grab this or the samsung f3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030 Sony Optiarc SATA DVDrw OEM $27.99

This is just building off of lt_shiros Idea really. RAM prices suck, I went with an alternative mobo to get the onboard IGP vs. a discrete card to save a buck that way. You won't see a lick of difference between DDR2/DDR3 with AM3 cpu's, but the mobo prices and feature's vary widely. Most of our parts are interchangeable and you won't go wrong with either build.

I get a total of around $423 before shipping and I included a DVDrw as I assumed you'd need one for this machine. If not and you dump that your under $400 minus an OS of course, as I have no idea what you should use. Either build will suit you just fine though, if your thinking of upgrading CPU's and such down the road grab lt_shiros as his is more future proof. If your looking to get out of this as cheap as you can, and forget about the machine once it's done till you need to replace it in 4 years then mine will be a touch cheaper. If you can source some used parts by all means I would do so (at least RAM, maybe a GPU for lt_shiro's build if you go that way).

I also wanted to add if this thing needs to be up all the time (mission critical), or support needs I wouldn't recommend either of these builds. Your budget can be met with mainstream parts, but you'd be much better off in a business setting getting something either used or refurbished from a vendor who can support the product. You can build something that will work for $400, how well it works for your purposes and how long remains to be seen. ;) That would be my best advice I think. You may pay more up front, but in the long run it'd be a wise purchase.
 
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Thanks guys,
Trying to get a better feel for things, would you mind elaborating more on the "support" from a vendor part? You wouldn't consider either setup reliable? This box won't be used 24/7. Infact, it will most often be used by only one user at a time, though there is a potential for 5. If a part gave out, it wouldn't be the end of the world to wait a few days to see a replacement come in the mail. Although, a few weeks for an RMA might be pushing the limits.

For hard drives... do you like those Seagates better than the Caviar Greens?
 
Interesting... is Dell still bad about putting your own stuff in? Maybe swap out hard drives or something else?
 
They don't care if you put your own stuff in. However, their warranty/support will only cover original parts. If calling in for support, they'll ask you to remove any non-supported hardware for troubleshooting.
 
Vendor support is pretty much a CYA measure. Rather than you doing all of the troubleshooting and handling of RMAs, you're having Dell do it. In addition, you'll have someone else to blame should the system fail :)

While DIY both systems should be stable, the stability of a Dell server is better IIRC.
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Thanks again all!
So I take it that the only real con with the dell is that I'll be married to the motherboard and PSU? Everything else is fair game for 3rd party parts in the future (aside from support issues)?
 
For a non-profit look at techsoup.org for software. If your non-profit qualifes you can get the software really cheap.

For the hardware you really should look at a higher pricepoint.
 
Double check, but I think Dell uses standard ATX PSU's. If not, there should be adapters available. Yes, Dell designs their own boards, but again, for the most part, I believe they're ATX compatible. Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong. This may not be true for all lines/models, so double check with a Dell rep if nobody speaks up. I know in the past they were notorious for proprietary parts, but I believe they've reduced this practice greatly.
 
Sales rep wasn't sure... but told me the chipset, Intel 3420 (Ibex Peak PCH / ICH10R). At least some (if not all) Intel 3420 boards are ATX. Probably tells me nothing. I think I might grab this one.
 
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+1 for a OEM build...

Dell or HP, seriously cheap and for anything that revinue is tied to I would never build..... and I love building
 
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