Recommendations for Home (dev) Server

[Guest MrE]

I am currently looking for a small but decently powerful home server which I will be using for development, hacking on etc.
I've been looking at many of the mini barebone PC's, like NUC, BRIX and so on, but I just cannot really decide what to go with.

Since CentOS does not support ARM, I am looking for an intel based system.

Again, is not a media server i am after but a code/development server.

 

I am looking for something in the range of:

- i3-i5 CPU
- 4+ GB memory

- Small form factor

- Obviously LAN and/or wireless required

 

My budget is around 500 USD ish.

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Anyone have any recommendations or experiences they want to share? Maybe a brand or like i should avoid?

 

Thanks !

[Jaybird]

you can build a mini itx rig with an i3 for about $400. I got a sweet deal on my i5 + mother board combo so I was able to build a server for about $500

[Guest MrE]

you can build a mini itx rig with an i3 for about $400. I got a sweet deal on my i5 + mother board combo so I was able to build a server for about $500

I did think about that, but I do not have a lot of room left in the office haha!

So ideally a small box or something would be great - though if building a small mini or micro atx rig is recommended then I'll probably do that

[Jaybird]

I did think about that, but I do not have a lot of room left in the office haha!

So ideally a small box or something would be great - though if building a small mini atx rig is recommended then I'l probably do that

not sure how much storage space you will need but how about a Node 302 for the case?

[Guest MrE]

not sure how much storage space you will need but how about a Node 302 for the case?

Not a bad idea, I guess I have to config a few builds from scratch and some in a mini barebone and see the price/space ratios.

small cases is new to me, so I barely know of any (like the node 302) which are recommended.

Thanks for the tip!

[Jaybird]

this is what I quickly put together. I did not add a powersupply becasue with these small chases you generally have to find a powersupply that isnt too long. also, that mobo isnt the cheapest. its just one I know is mitx and compatable with the cpu. 

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($119.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: Asus Z87I-Deluxe Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($142.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Corsair 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($47.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($86.30 @ Amazon) 

Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $487.24

[Guest MrE]

Thanks for taking the time to do that, it will serve as a baseline for the comparisons I'll make. Appreciated

[mariohead123]

I did think about that, but I do not have a lot of room left in the office haha!

So ideally a small box or something would be great - though if building a small mini or micro atx rig is recommended then I'll probably do that

Check out the SIlverstone raven rvz01 for a sff mini itx case, haven't built in it but it looks really great.

[Guest MrE]

Check out the SIlverstone raven rvz01 for a sff mini itx case, haven't built in it but it looks really great.

Thanks, i'll keep it in mind!