Windows Home Sever Build Which Processor?

[WEW]

Hi - I have the following PC's setup right now.


PC ONE

E2160 Processor 1.8ghz*
Abit IP35-E Motherboard
4GB Ram (2 Slots)
500gb Hard Drive Seagate
Nvidia 7900GS Video Card
Antec Eathwatts 430 PS
Cooler Master ATX Case
Runs WinXP right now

* This PC is overclocked to 3.0ghz with voltage core at 1.485, this was done recently.

PC TWO

E5200 Processor 2.5ghz
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L intel g31 chipset micro ATX
4GB Ram (2 Slots)
500gb Hard Drive Maxtor
GIGABYTE GV-R435OC-512I HD4350 Video Card with HDMI port
OCZ Modular 500W Power Supply
Apex mAtx Case
Runs trial Windows 7 right now


I plan on turning one of them into a WHS build. PC One is what I built in Jan '08 and the PC Two is what I built last week.

Which build should I turn into the WHS? Also, do you recommend mix/matching any of the parts between them.

I want my WHS to be able to backup the PCs and stream video (xvid/etc.)

Thanks!

 

[RebateMonger]

Both setups are kinda' overkill for WHS. And those video cards are going to burn a fair amount of power even when idling.

Since the Gigabyte has a built-in video card, I'd choose that board. Or buy a $10 low-power video card and use that. Either way, I'd save those higher-end video cards for a PC that can make use of them. The only time you'd normally use a monitor with a WHS is during the initial install.

I'd use whichever CPU has the least value for you for other uses. I wouldn't overclock the E2160 in this application. It'll just run hotter and not provide any benefit to WHS.

If you have other uses for the memory, I'd only use 2 GB in the WHS. Having more memory won't do much for it.

 

[JackMDS]

Or to put it in other terms.

A Paasenger car is Not a scaled down Bulldozer.

A Server is Not a scaled down Gaming Rig.

 

[WEW]

Thanks for the input.

I guess I can use the E2160 overclocked as my main PC. Even though the E5200 is the new processor and i dont feel like swapping the processors between the motherboard.

Between the 7900gs and the gigabyte video card - which would be a good performer? I'll just put the other card in the closet as a spare.

 

[JackMDS]

Take a look at this thread, http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2329859&enterthread=y


No matter how stable OC CPU is, it is always more inclined to crash than CPU at it defaults.

Server properties are reliability, stability, and long life. Thus No Pro will OC a Server, especially since there is No Server related performance benefit the E2160, as is is allreday more than it is needed.

 

[WEW]

I agree - I wasn't going to OC the E2160 if I install WHS.

I am basically trying to decide which to use as my main PC - where I do our main web/video/downloads/some gaming.

Thus if I was going to use the PC ONE as the WHS, then I would reset it back to factory defaults.

I was in a dilemma which to use as my main PC since I bought the E5200 (PC TWO config) as new hardware.

So if I decide to use the E5200 (PC TWO config) as the WHS then I would leave the OC E2160 and just make it to be 6GB RAM.

or I was thinking along the lines of using the E2160 default speeds as the WHS with the separate video card, since there isnt one on board.