The Folding File Server

SuperShermanTanker · December 7, 2016

So I want to build a home file server to store files and movies on, and also act as a backup for my main desktop and family member's desktops. I also want it to be able to run folding@home and be as power efficient as possible. The current spare parts I have right now are a Intel core i3 4370, a AMD A8 7650k a GeForce GTX 650ti, and a Geforce 8600gt, I also have a MSI A78M-E35 board that has only 1 x16 PCI express slot and does support hardware raid (the A8 7650k does allow me to fold on it's iGPU), and I have a CSM-H87M-G43 that has 2 PCI Express x16 slots and supports hardware raid too. The spare power supplies and cases I have are a Thermaltake TR2 500watt PSU that is alreadty5 years old but works perfectly fine, and I have a 300watt Seasonic 80+ bronze efficiency PSU, and the 2 extra cases I have are a Antec P70 and a Cougar spike, and I don't mind getting a 5.25 inch hot swap bay for the hard drives. I want the build to be as silent as possible with me barely even able to hear it even when the room is completely silent since it's just going to sit in the corner of my office within 6 feet of my main computer setup and only like 2 feet from my ITX spare PC setup. I don't mind buying any new parts if any of the spare parts I have aren't good enough for the job but I would like to keep cost down so I would like to use some of the parts that I already have where they will work.

Joe_MacDougall · December 7, 2016

There's always the Hyper 212 EVO. It probably won't be too loud.

SuperShermanTanker · December 7, 2016

Just now, Joe_MacDougall said:

You could opt for passive CPU cooling. Or get yourself some 200mm fans. If it's gonna be close to your main setup I would go with passive cooling. You'll need some big ass heatsinks though.

I don't mind buying a lower wattage CPUs becuase it's main function is going to be a file server and it doing folding@home is just going to be somthing it does on the side with maybe a GPU in there to do most of the folding@home work and they do sell passively cooled GPUs

Joe_MacDougall · December 7, 2016

10 minutes ago, SuperShermanTanker said:

I don't mind buying a lower wattage CPUs becuase it's main function is going to be a file server and it doing folding@home is just going to be somthing it does on the side with maybe a GPU in there to do most of the folding@home work and they do sell passively cooled GPUs

You could get a GTX 970 with a good cooler if you want a lot of PPD. I would just get an R9 270X and call it a day. You can get one for like £70.