Server Hardware Recommendations
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
Server Hardware Recommendations
Planning to move from my old Server 2008 R2 & Exchange 2010 box at home to Server 2012 R2 & Exchange 2016. Current box will not support x64 architecture. I have typically salvaged my servers from retired boxes at work for low cost, but nothing right now that will meet my needs.
Looking for a box on the cheap--like pre-owned Dell or something--with small form factor to hide inside the media tower.
Minimum 16GB mem, but would prefer ability for 32GB. HDD can be 128GB (so SSD is ok). OS is irrelevant since I will wipe it clean and start over.
Any suggestions?
Looking for a box on the cheap--like pre-owned Dell or something--with small form factor to hide inside the media tower.
Minimum 16GB mem, but would prefer ability for 32GB. HDD can be 128GB (so SSD is ok). OS is irrelevant since I will wipe it clean and start over.
Any suggestions?
#3
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,344
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineS...=28&l=en&s=dfb
dell outlet is pretty good (refurb/scratch&dent), they often have discounts/coupons too
not sure what your specs are.. maybe look at NUC if small box is useful?
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/...major-upgrade/
dell outlet is pretty good (refurb/scratch&dent), they often have discounts/coupons too
not sure what your specs are.. maybe look at NUC if small box is useful?
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/...major-upgrade/
Last edited by paperwastage; Aug 2, 2016 at 1:34 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,242
You may want to look at a Intel NUC. I'm using a Intel NUC6i7KYK for my Plex home media server and am very happy with it.
This model uses a i7-6770HQ processor. I've maxed it out at 32GB of ram, and have it setup as RAID 1 with two 1TB M.2 SSDs.
If you go that route, you buy the NUC, and add in the OS, ram, and HDs. It's about the size of a paperback book and is fairly quiet.
If you don't need that much power Intel does make cheaper/less powerful NUCs.
This model uses a i7-6770HQ processor. I've maxed it out at 32GB of ram, and have it setup as RAID 1 with two 1TB M.2 SSDs.
If you go that route, you buy the NUC, and add in the OS, ram, and HDs. It's about the size of a paperback book and is fairly quiet.
If you don't need that much power Intel does make cheaper/less powerful NUCs.
Last edited by wr_schwab; Aug 2, 2016 at 2:28 pm Reason: Grammer
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Dirt
Posts: 949
Another place to look is off-lease servers on dellrefurbished.com . It is run by Dell Financial Services and typically features 2-4 year old equipment. They often have 50% off coupons so keep an eye out for them on deal sites.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
You may want to look at a Intel NUC. I'm using a Intel NUC6i7KYK for my plex home media server and am very happy with it.
This model uses a i7-6770HQ processor. I've maxed it out at 32GB of ram, and have it setup as RAID 1 with two 1TB M.2 SSDs.
If you go that route, you buy the NUC, and add in the OS, ram, and HDs.
It's about the size of a paperback book and if fairly quiet.
If you don't need that much power Intel does make cheaper/less powerful NUCs.
This model uses a i7-6770HQ processor. I've maxed it out at 32GB of ram, and have it setup as RAID 1 with two 1TB M.2 SSDs.
If you go that route, you buy the NUC, and add in the OS, ram, and HDs.
It's about the size of a paperback book and if fairly quiet.
If you don't need that much power Intel does make cheaper/less powerful NUCs.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,344
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/...omparison.html
http://www.intel.com/buy/us/en/catalog/components/nuc
different versions, DIY (aka add your own memory/hdd)
gigabyte/... has their own version
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=-1&isNodeId=1
probably way too many choices
just note that they don't have as much cooling/support/fallback/RAID as a typical server build
Last edited by paperwastage; Aug 2, 2016 at 2:29 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
Fairly certain Win 2008R2 only came in 64-bit editions.
Another place to look is off-lease servers on dellrefurbished.com . It is run by Dell Financial Services and typically features 2-4 year old equipment. They often have 50% off coupons so keep an eye out for them on deal sites.
Another place to look is off-lease servers on dellrefurbished.com . It is run by Dell Financial Services and typically features 2-4 year old equipment. They often have 50% off coupons so keep an eye out for them on deal sites.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,344
just note that there may be minor issues (like the ones above).. not good for a "production" server, but if you're willing to manually fix it on your own, sure
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/...oards+and+kits
NUC6i7KYK officially supports 2012 R2, so you get the drivers and everything
official rigs (sold by Dell, or parts like Supermicro) have their own certification process for Server 12/R2
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,242
It broke down as:
Intel NUC NUC6i7KYK 649.99
2 Kingston Value Ram 16GB 260pin DDR4 SO-DIMM 117.98
2 Sandisk SD8SN8U 1TB m.2 SSD - 479.58
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,247
Can I ask why you need/desire to run an Exchange server out of your home?
I used to do it too, but with cloud Exchange running a total of $10/month for the two mailboxes I needed, it is much cheaper than hardware + electricity + licensing... if you're licensing Server 2012 R2 and Exchange properly, the cost of those alone exceeds $1k.
I used to do it too, but with cloud Exchange running a total of $10/month for the two mailboxes I needed, it is much cheaper than hardware + electricity + licensing... if you're licensing Server 2012 R2 and Exchange properly, the cost of those alone exceeds $1k.
Last edited by javabytes; Aug 2, 2016 at 5:49 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
Can I ask why you need/desire to run an Exchange server out of your home?
I used to do it too, but with cloud Exchange running a total of $10/month for the two mailboxes I needed, it is much cheaper than hardware + electricity + licensing... if you're licensing Server 2012 R2 and Exchange properly, the cost of those alone exceeds $1k.
I used to do it too, but with cloud Exchange running a total of $10/month for the two mailboxes I needed, it is much cheaper than hardware + electricity + licensing... if you're licensing Server 2012 R2 and Exchange properly, the cost of those alone exceeds $1k.
I long since moved on from netadmin stuff, but I still tinker.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
For less than $500 you can find dual E5-2670 1U or 2U servers on eBay. Very very hard to find a better value. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZT-2U-Storag...-/152186550866 this thing even has an LSI RAID controller in it! Or http://www.ebay.com/itm/1U-Rackmount...UAAOSwzJ5XYegy this one still under $500 comes with an SSD to boot. Hope you have a basement to hide it though because these are loud.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
That price point is good, but noise is an issue as I need to be able to tuck it into (preferable) or behind the media tower.
I think I will go with the NUC6i7KYK. Wife works for Intel and it appears their discount prices it at $476.
Thanks all!!
I think I will go with the NUC6i7KYK. Wife works for Intel and it appears their discount prices it at $476.
Thanks all!!