New Q6600 Server PC Build - Need Input

[evilpenguin]

I keep my OS drive at 7 GB which, with compression, I can usually ghost image onto a single DVD.

Oh and also, Intel dropped quad-core prices so the Q6700 is in a nice price range now

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9924121-7.html

[Brent]

Originally Posted by evilpenguin

Oh and also, Intel dropped quad-core prices so the Q6700 is in a nice price range now

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9924121-7.html

Nice! I might just have to go with the Q6700 now (more power )

[gplasky]

So that price drop brings this question to my mind.

The price of the Core 2 Quad Q6700 (2.66GHz) fell 50 percent from $530 to $266, while the quad-core Xeon X3230 (2.66GHz) saw an identical cut: from $530 to $266.

From a performance aspect which would be the better processor? The Core 2 Quad or the quad Xeon? Pros and cons of either choice?

Gerry

[Humanzee]

Does the q6700 have a particular stepping to try and find like the G0 witht he q6600? Or are they all they same. I havn't seen a price as low as in the article but hopefully they will be down soon enough.

[rlvogel322]

Originally Posted by Humanzee

Does the q6700 have a particular stepping to try and find like the G0 witht he q6600? Or are they all they same. I havn't seen a price as low as in the article but hopefully they will be down soon enough.

No, all Q6700 are G0 steppings with a 10x multiplier. Great chip that overclocks like mad.

[Brent]

I'm inching closer - trying to resist just buying everything today....

Here's my current damage report - I mean shopping list:

Case: Antec 900 $100
Power Supply: $100 Antec 650 EDIT: $160 Instead I'll get this one
MB: $170 ABIT IP35 Pro
Memory: $60 Gskill 2G (2x1gb) PC2 8500 UPDATE: $48 2x1g kingston PC2 6400 (thanks for the advice)
Processor: $280 Q6700 2.66GHz Quad Core
VideoCard: $0 x300 from an older build
CPU Fan: $54 Zalman CPU Fan
HD: $230 Seagate 1TB - don't have to have this, but want it for my recordings drive
System HD: Use existing 250GB and partition off a bit for the C drive
Thermal Compound $6

I think I'll have 6 SATA drives in this server most of which I already have. I want it to be a little future-proof and as you can see I have fairly high demands already. I'll be locating it in the basement closer to my CATV amplifier. It will make my office look much nicer and will have the power to do the transcoding and commercial detection and even some video editing I'm wanting to do.

Approximate, Estimated Cost: $1,042 plus cost of OS.

EDIT: One last question for the crowd. Should I go Windows XP or consider Windows Server? I'm totally unfamiliar with server so any opinions either way is welcomed.

What do you think? Overkill? Anywhere I should consider saving some cash? I'm looking for some last minute input so give me any additional opinions. Thanks!

[gplasky]

I'm using WHS (Windows Home Server) with one managed drive and the recording drives umanaged. WHS is based on Windows 2003 server and I'm totally happy with it. And if you're not that familar with server OS's this will sort of insulate you.

What's overkill today is substandard tomorrow.
As long as you're not taking out a second mortgage for the PC go for it. (Meanwhile I just got approved for a second mortgage so now I can fill up the gas tank. )

Gerry

[Humanzee]

Originally Posted by Brent

Memory: $60 Gskill 2G (2x1gb) PC2 8500

That memory is more than the board can handle. At least published, maybe it can take it, but the spec says DDR2 800 PC6400
I'm going with this. Corsair 4-4-4-12

[evilpenguin]

Yeah, I agree, you could scale that memory back down to PC6400 without any issues.

I'd also go for the modular power supply (you can use the money you save by getting the slower RAM ). It makes cabling *so* much easier when you don't have to hide fistfuls of unused cables.

Also, that's a *really* good pick on the case

[Djc208]

Why the CPU fan? You picked the retail version of the CPU (according to the link) so it comes with a HSF which is more than enough for these cool running chips. If you're not over clocking or keeping this next to your TV (at which point I would think the 6 drives will cause more noise issues) then I don't see the need to spend the extra $54 (which isn't much in the scheme of things but would put you below $1000).

WHS would make it easier to remote admin the server and the backup features and simple redundancy is nice, but with the bugs it still has with data integrity I'm reluctant to spend the money on it right now. If you have an XP license I'd just use that for now and get WHS once they data flaw is fixed (or the next version released), if you have to buy one then I'd go for WHS and just be aware of what not to do http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=413.

[Brent]

Good point on the CPU fan. I won't be overclocking it so you're right - I probably don't need it.

For this week at least I'm putting this new server project on hold. Instead, I've purchased a CPU upgrade (single core to dual core) for my client PC so it can better handle the HD-PVR output. I'm hoping I get that very soon and can put it through the paces. And then the HD100 will hopefully handle the HD-PVR output well also.

Then, once I get that up and running I'll come back to this purchase.

[exdirtfarmer]

When you do get around to doing the server I would recommend considerring a case with plenty of 5 1/4 bays and using SATA swappable drive enclosures. They have fans to draw air across the drives and are available in many configurations. I dumped 2 Startech 3 drive SATA hot swaps in an old AOpen HX-08 case and have been real happy with the way it worked out. I also went with WHS for the OS and left all my SAGE TV drives unmanaged. I'm running a Q6600 and its been very very solid.

http://www.startech.com/category/par...ures/list.aspx

[Slipshod]

Icydock makes some nice ones as well, which are a little cheaper. I have a 5-in-3 one in my WHS as well, and will probably be adding another after I get a new case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=&srchInDesc=

Note: The 4-in-3 and 3-in2 ones fit in cases with support tabs that hold up the 5.25" drives. The 5-in-3 one has completely smooth sides. I had to take a pair of tin-snips to my case to be able to fit it in... In hindsight I would have gone with the 4-in-3 holder.