I Need a New Server; Suggestions?

[lazyfortress]

My parents have been complaining about me running my server for more than a few hours, as it's too loud, and they also say that it uses a lot of electricity.  How much electricity does my server use compared to a gaming computer?  

 

My server is a rackmount Dell PowerEdge 1950 with 2 Xeons (E5430).  I'm planning on taking the HDDs out (Windows Server 2016 installed on them) and selling the server.

 

I want a tower server that is quieter, allows for remote access, uses Intel processors, can run Windows Server 2016, costs less than $200, and uses somewhat less electricity than my old rackmount server.

 

I was considering the following servers:

• HP Microserver (older ones don't use Intel though)
• IBM System X3200 M3 tower
• An HP tower (Gen6 - Gen8 if less than $200)

Do any of those servers fit my criteria?  If not, any other suggestions?  I don't know much about the Dell tower servers.

[KarathKasun]

Get a cheap kill-a-watt type power meter to measure power usage.  At Idle it likely uses 150w and at 100% load its probably in the 400w range.

 

They just dont like the noise it makes.

[Dedayog]

"My parents have been complaining about me running my server for more than a few hours, as it's too loud, and they also say that it uses a lot of electricity.  How much electricity does my server use compared to a gaming computer?  "

 

That has no bearing here, as that's your relationship with your folks and not something we can help you with.  Seeing as how you pay rent and your share of the electricity in your own home.... you should tell them to F off

 

That said, what do you need the server to do?  Just host files or are you running game hubs for folks?  I kinda like your 1950 to be honest.

[lazyfortress]

1 minute ago, KarathKasun said:

Get a cheap kill-a-watt type power meter to measure power usage.  At Idle it likely uses 150w.

 

They just dont like the noise it makes.

 

1 minute ago, jstudrawa said:

"My parents have been complaining about me running my server for more than a few hours, as it's too loud, and they also say that it uses a lot of electricity.  How much electricity does my server use compared to a gaming computer?  "

 

That has no bearing here, as that's your relationship with your folks and not something we can help you with.  Seeing as how you pay rent and your share of the electricity in your own home.... you should tell them to F off

 

That said, what do you need the server to do?  Just host files or are you running game hubs for folks?  I kinda like your 1950 to be honest.

Love the sarcasm in the second quote.  I was planning on paying my parents a monthly bill of whatever the cost is to run my server 24/7 monthly.

 

They won't leave me alone about the noise it makes.  You can hardly hear it when the door is closed.  Noise is a big issue with the 1950.

 

As for the purpose of the sever, I'm planning on running BOINC and using it to (host?) files on a website I made.  I want to be able to do something useful with my server.  

[myselfolli]

I'd recommend finding the use case first and then getting a machine that fits those needs...

[lazyfortress]

1 minute ago, myselfolli said:

I'd recommend finding the use case first and then getting a machine that fits those needs...

Honestly, my main plan was to use a server over a browser to access files.  I have probably about 500GB worth of files.  Would a IBM tower server be overkill?

[KarathKasun]

12 minutes ago, lazyfortress said:

Honestly, my main plan was to use a server over a browser to access files.  I have probably about 500GB worth of files.  Would a IBM tower server be overkill?

You can use a standard PC for that.  Get a Dell/HP SFF desktop.

 

Something like this...

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAJ27BA9420

 

Or maybe this if you need 3.5" HDD bays...

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAJ26V69427

[Pixel5]

25 minutes ago, lazyfortress said:

Honestly, my main plan was to use a server over a browser to access files.  I have probably about 500GB worth of files.  Would a IBM tower server be overkill?

if this is all you want to do even a raspberry pi with an usb HDD attached is enough.

[KarathKasun]

Just now, Pixel5 said:

if this is all you want to do even a raspberry pi with an usb HDD attached is enough.

Ehhhh, not really.

 

RPi USB performance is TERRIBLE, and the ethernet controller runs through USB.

[Razor Blade]

1 hour ago, lazyfortress said:

My parents have been complaining about me running my server for more than a few hours, as it's too loud, and they also say that it uses a lot of electricity.  How much electricity does my server use compared to a gaming computer?  

 

My server is a rackmount Dell PowerEdge 1950 with 2 Xeons (E5430).  I'm planning on taking the HDDs out (Windows Server 2016 installed on them) and selling the server.

 

I want a tower server that is quieter, allows for remote access, uses Intel processors, can run Windows Server 2016, costs less than $200, and uses somewhat less electricity than my old rackmount server.

 

I was considering the following servers:

• HP Microserver (older ones don't use Intel though)
• IBM System X3200 M3 tower
• An HP tower (Gen6 - Gen8 if less than $200)

Do any of those servers fit my criteria?  If not, any other suggestions?  I don't know much about the Dell tower servers.

Those 9th gen dell rack mount servers were very loud and very power hungry... If you do consider another rack mount server, the 11th generation R710 is much much much much much quieter (see video below) and you should be able to easily get one in your price range.

 

 

When you say remote access do you mean using RDP or something like the DRAC 5 your 1950 may have? If you don't need something like IPMI, consider looking at workstation towers as many will take the same core components (server CPU and memory) but can typically be found cheaper.

[UrbanFreestyle]

Sounds a bit like having a server then finding a use for it "I want to be able to do something useful with my server."

Seriously i have used a Pi as a web host and file server for a while. Sure transfer speeds suck but it's a good starting point.

[KarathKasun]

24 minutes ago, UrbanFreestyle said:

Sounds a bit like having a server then finding a use for it "I want to be able to do something useful with my server."

Seriously i have used a Pi as a web host and file server for a while. Sure transfer speeds suck but it's a good starting point.

An old desktop at $100 is cheaper in the long run.  You have to count cost for SATA adapters on the RPi.

[UrbanFreestyle]

yeah i mean i guess i already had the pi3 and relevant usb enclosures etc. 

But yes some old machine with something like freenas / openmediavault etc on there would work better.