WHS Specs - almost ready

[andysl]

OK so i'm in the process of upgrading my current rig, and using some existing + new parts to get a WHS up and running.

Proposed WHS specs (blue specs are ones i'm buying, so comment on them if you feel the need)
E2140
Giga 965P-DS3
2x1GB ram 800mhz
2 x 320GB
2 x 500GB (1 new)
NZXT Hush case

PSU ?? - I currently have an iGreen 600W, but think i'll leave it in my current rig (OC'd E6600, 8800GTS, etc). What PSU do you guys recommend? It will have these 4 HDD's for a start, but can see myself adding more in the near future.

[Matt]

Those specs will kill it, what type of graphics card are you using?

For the record my WHS is using

- ASUS A8N-VM CSM (Nvidia 430/6150 Chipset)
- Athlon 64 3200
- 1GB RAM
- 1 x 430GB Seagate
- 2 x 250GB Samsung
- Coolermaster 830 case with around a 400W/450W power supply that was included with it.

This config has been buzzing away in the cupboard since early June 07 when I was part of the WHS beta, hasn't skipped a beat in that time.

For a power supply I'd go for a reputable brand, last thing you want is the P/S going 'fzzzt' and taking your hardware with it. I really don't think you'll need more that 500w as HDD's don't use heaps of power and your choice of CPU is on the low scale of power usage as well. The only real unknown is the choice of graphics card.

Cheers,

Matt.

[andysl]

As the graphics card will onyl be used when installing, I am going to buy a cheap 7200GS (~$50).

I can then use this as a backup in case my GTS dies in my main rig (don't have another PCI-E card lying around).

So you think a 500W PSU will be OK? Maybe a Antec NeoHe (500W is $130, + modular).
I don't really know much about PSU's, there's so many options! I have heard good things about the NeoHe's however.


EDIT:
I have about 600GB of stuff that i want to have backed up on several drives, so instead of bothering with RAID I decided WHS + 500GB drives was the way to go.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by andysl

As the graphics card will onyl be used when installing, I am going to buy a cheap 7200GS (~$50)..

ohh, I could be wrong, but I thought a graphics card was a required component in a PC and if you didn't have one it won't boot, with all the annoying systems beeps telling you so. Could be completely wrong though....

Originally Posted by andysl

So you think a 500W PSU will be OK? Maybe a Antec NeoHe (500W is $130, + modular).
I don't really know much about PSU's, there's so many options! I have heard good things about the NeoHe's however.

I reckon that choice is a pretty safe bet, have had a few Antec power supplies and they've been pretty good.

Originally Posted by andysl

EDIT:
I have about 600GB of stuff that i want to have backed up on several drives, so instead of bothering with RAID I decided WHS + 500GB drives was the way to go.

Good choice, WHS takes the guess work out of RAID for those unfamiliar with it, plus the requirements of tracking down identical drives if something fails down the track.

[andysl]

Originally Posted by Matt

ohh, I could be wrong, but I thought a graphics card was a required component in a PC and if you didn't have one it won't boot, with all the annoying systems beeps telling you so. Could be completely wrong though....

NAh i will leave the 7200GS in there, but if something went wrong in my other comp, i guess i'd find out if it would boot :P

I can't see why wouldn't, WHS is meant to be 'headless' (if thats the right word)

[Matt]

Originally Posted by andysl

NAh i will leave the 7200GS in there, but if something went wrong in my other comp, i guess i'd find out if it would boot :P

I can't see why wouldn't, WHS is meant to be 'headless' (if thats the right word)

Good move, you could test it though and lets is know how it goes.

Generally speaking though headless means no monitor, keyboard or mouse.

Cheers,

Matt.