I need some advice on a server template

trist007 · 11-03-2009, 08:19 PM

I will be using Slackware 12.2

I want to use this computer for:

1. postgresql database which will be attached to a web server (won't be a very active server at all, maybe 2 accesses per day)

2. web server (as mentioned in previous)

3. ftp server

4. ssh server (for maintenance)

5. digital video recorder (for recording tv shows and movies)

6. ventrilo server (will use occasionally)

*I want this server to use as little electricity/audible noise as possible while maintaining good performance.

Here is the setup that I have chosen so far.

Intel Celeron 430 Conroe-L 1.8GHz LGA 775 35W Single-Core Processor

BIOSTAR G31E-M7 LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with built-in audio and video

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual
Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ

Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 380W Power Supply

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20

I have a few questions with this setup.

1. I heard that the stock fan that comes with this processor is loud and I would like to put a Zalman CNPS9500 but the computer case is not wide enough. Can you guys make any good suggestions for a short quiet cpu fan?

2. Is this processor good enough to be a digital video recorder? I'm wondering if low cpu performance results in stuttering/skipping recordings of the tv shows and movies I will record.

3. I want to run this computer headless. Should I get a motherboard that does not have onboard video so that the motherboard would draw less wattage? Or would I need to have a really good video card like a 9800 gtx to be able to use this computer as a digital video recorder?

4. If I run this computer headless, is it possible to ssh in and run a windows manager via startx? Is that configurable? or does it need to have a monitor for that?

5. With 1 terabyte of hard disk space, would it be better to partition it so that read/write will be shorter cause hard disk would not have to span across whole terabyte of space?

Please make critiques. I want this server to last. Thanks.

trist007 · 11-04-2009, 01:31 AM

Mod, can you please me move to Linux - Server. Thanks.

r3sistance · 11-04-2009, 02:56 AM

1. I have no idea about the stock HSF to be honest.

2. I am not sure the CPU could handle the digital video recorder, it depends on the level of TV input and the ammount of compression going on however if it's a low level of compression then possible, higher levels of compression I doubt a celeron could handle it.

3. if your doing digital video recording... do you have a TV In or some method to transfer whatever it is you want to record. As for the graphics card, on board would be advised, the system will turn the onboard card to the lowest possible setting anyways so the power draw will barely be noticable if at all.

4. As for ssh and startx, with x forwarding perhaps you could do this, there is also the option of using vncserver too and a vnc client.

5. Don't really get your question about the 1TB hard drive...

AngTheo789 · 11-04-2009, 03:40 AM

If you are going to deal digital video recording, then consider using a specialized graphic card for that purpose. For the main CPU all video processing will be a big burden.

trist007 · 11-04-2009, 09:19 AM

I can't decide whether to go WinTV-HVR-1600 or HD PVR model 1212 for the HD tuner. I will be using MythTV software. I would like to record HD movies as well. Assuming I get a graphics card to take most of the load off the CPU, would this processor be sufficient. Again I understand it depends on the compressions of the digital signal coming in from my cable tv provider. Assuming the compression is high, would this processor be able to handle it with the aid of a good pci-e graphics card?

As for questions 5, I'm wondering if I should leave the 1TB hard disk as one giant 1TB drive or if I should partition it into say 4 separate partitions (250GB each) to improve performance. Would it improve performance? I mean it makes sense for the read/write to increase if the hard disk only has to look through 250GB instead of 1TB.

6. If i get a pci-e graphics card, the card will only draw wattage if it's in use, correct? So if my understanding is correct, the graphics card will only draw wattage if it is recording a movie or show? Otherwise, it will be idle and will not draw much wattage?

7. Would the graphics card need to have HDCP?

8. With this setup, including a pci-e graphics card, if the computer is recording a movie, would it dramatically effect other services like my ventrilo server, web server, or even just running menial administrative tasks like running bash commands (ls, top, etc) Would those stutter?

I'm thinking about this card. I would need a minimum of a 400W psu.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161287