Ultra Low-Cost-Low-Power System recommendation

Hi guys,
Today I was having discussion with my girl about building a new rig for web server/downloading/backup etc. Currently we are using old P4 3Ghz/915 board/1gb ram/160gb drive system for the same. Now I'm planning to give that thing off to my brother and build a headless system.

Now, knowing me and urge to spend on computers... she asked me to come up with configuration which has to be low on power consumption and low on pocket as well. My upper limit is approx 10k (technologically kanjoos girl!!).

Quickly I could come up with following components. But I still find it hard to fit in 10k. Here's where I need you guys to help out. Suggest me alternative configs that are possible in given budget. I chose Intel as that's what I've been using and keeping tabs on. I don't mind AMD at all, but I'm not aware of components/prices.

My Configuration:

• Intel E2140 1.6 GHz, 800 FSB, 1MB Cache - rs. 2500
  
• Intel DG31PR Motherboard - rs. 3750
  
• Transcend 512 DDR2 667 x 2 - rs. 1150
  
• WD 500GB/640GB SATA2 HDD - rs. 4150
  
• Cabinet (low profile/slim) + SMPS (VIP Gold) - rs. 3000
  

Main Usage:

• Web Server (PHP/MySQL)
• File/Backup Server
• iTunes Media Server
• Dedicated Downloading (Torrent/Download Applications)

This is headless (no monitor/keyboard/mouse) system and will run 24/7.

About motherboard, I chose this board as it has onboard gigabit lan. I can get 945 based motherboard around 800-1000 rs. less, but then I will have to put around 700rs. for Intel Gigabit lancard. so it doesn't make much sense. Right now, I chose single 500/640gb drive. I can always shove in another 500/640gb later for bump up storage (as this will be downloading/backup system).

Anyway. Looking forward to your suggestions.

You got a good woman, she'll save you money in the long run.

The D201GLY boards seem to be the best best. There's a pretty long thread detailing the construction of a headless rig using that board. I think it was by superczar.

Should run on 15 watts without hard drives, add about 10 watts for each drive.

A Sempron LE-1150 and 690G combo will run up to 35 watts or so, and will be more expensive to start with too. I'm assuming you don't need the extra power of that combo.

Edit: the board (with CPU soldered on) is about 3K, IIRC. You can be well within your 10K budget with the machine.

Wow... that board does look good. Thx for the tip Sangram sir. Will look more into it.

EDIT: It seems that board doesn't have SATA. Problem is IDE hard drives with bigger capacity are expensive now, so I would prefer going SATA... as I need this rig for backup as well as to store MP3s to stream via iTunes. So HDD performance also would matter a bit. Ideally I think, from performance perspective I'm looking for something between D210GLY and Sempron/690 combo.

I have an EeePC lying around. Those make very good download rigs too, once you connect an external hdd to it.

i think for the usage intended (Web server, Backup server etc) the D201GLY would be highly under powered.
you should stick to that intel proc or perhaps try the sempron or athlon based config.
i think the AMD's would be more efficient than the old Intel dual cores.

I use a D210GLY2 board for almost the same purposes as you have mentioned. It does have 2 sata ports in addition to a IDE port. But takes only one memory module.

Yup, they have 2 Sata ports, at least the more common GLY2 does. The GLY is the older version and is not available anymore, AFAIK. The version 2 adds a quicker processor (and a small fan) and 2 SATA ports, at the cost of S-video output.

+1 for a Sempron LE 1150 and a 690G. The D210GLY2 seems a bit underpowered.

Umm, I would think the single core Merom on the D201GLY2 would actually be marginally better (or maybe arnd the same) than the LE 1150...


I am guessing it wil be a personal webserver not intended to be exposed to the whole wide world in which case
a processor even 1/4th the processing power would be enough

never seen processor loads above 10% on my Celeron 440 with avg load between 1-5% (single core 1MB cache Merom again)

The OP was about cost and power, so that is the primary criteria for selection, not performance.

The 690G consumes a lot more power than the Sis core on the GLY/2.

I don't see any reason to opt for the AMD rig, except future expansion and maybe slightly better performance (overall platform will be quicker given the more efficient graphics/memory controller).

As per original criteria, the GLY is probably the better bet. AFAIK this is a job right up Atom's alley, but that is some way away.

Exactly... I think then I must have seen GLY on Intel's website... not GLY2. In that case I think GLY2 would do the trick. I want this server only for internal use, not to be exposed on net. The web server will be used for my project testings only. So I don't need lot of power on that.

Thanks again Sangram sir and Superczar (I checked your home server guide, it's quite informative. ).

I think I should wait for some time, things are getting interesting on Ultra-Low-Power-Low-Cost front..

1) Intel Atom D945GCLF - ready Tranquil PC’s Weblog
2) VIA Isaiah becomes Nano in quest to topple Atom and Puma - Engadget

Off-course I don't these things will very cheap at launch, but as more variants start entering market. It should make enough choices to pick one that fits one's needs.

You can get that Intel Atom board from deltapage... atleast they lists one.

Or for a change you may wait for Asus EEE Box... see first impressions hereAnandTech

@superczar, how would be this eee box for a carpc built ??

Depends on the price I guess
Currently, you could build a setup around a D201GLY2 for fairly though the EEE would save you a lot of other hassles

Though even with the EEE box, you would still need to use an automotive PSU like the M1/M2 ATX

Yeh... just finished reading it, and came here to post about it... lol and saw your comment. That thing does looks good.

Well.. for a while now, I'm bringing up my old mac mini. It's not ultra-low-power, but definitely low cost since it's lying unused anyway. It's temporary off-course, will get bit hands on with X11 and apache configuration for web server. Although ultimately I will be going for IIS (need it for testing .net crap). I think it's smart now to sit on it, and see what good things come up.