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Recently I have been on a linux kick. I decided to try to create a linux based server running in a virtual machine. This ended up being a very timely decision as the hard drive hosting the windows installation on my actual web server failed. I immediatly put the virtual linux server into use. I ran into a problem though. The virtual server was based on 64 bit CentOS and I had built it and run it on my newer game machine desktop. When I went to run it on my older webserver, I received an error messge that the processor, though 64 bit, did not support the necessary extensions to allow a 64 bit virtual machine to run. Doh!
Well I was not about to rebuild my virutal server in 32 bit mode so this left me one choice, upgrade the hardware on the webserver. I ended up spending about $270 getting a new motherboard, ram, and processor.
The processor is a AMD Athlon II X2, dual core running at 2.9 ghz. I dont really care about the speed that much. What was impressive about this chip was that it was about $60! It also is based on a 45 nm process. I could care less about the size of the chip however that size translates into less heat and less power consumed for the same performance. Now that IS important to me on a server that runs 24x7. Most importnatly, this processor supports AMD-V (v = virtualization) which is necessary to run a 64 bit guest OS.
I ended up getting 8 gigs of DDR3. This part was pretty costly at $140. Still, this is the primary asset of a server running a web server, ftp server, mail server, and a database. Even though 4 gigs would have probably been fine, I splurged. At least this way I should be able to host multiple virtual machines should I ever want to.
I wanted a bare bones motherboard. I dont use the sound card on the server. I dont play games on it so the video card was not an issue. I dont run a raid hard drive array (at the moment anyways). All I wanted was 4 DIM slots and plenty of SATA connectors for hard drives. After much back and forth I ended up getting a Gigabyte MA77OT-UD3P motherboard. Normally I only buy Asus motherboards but this time Asus did not offer a board in the right price range that had 2 PS/2 ports. They only offered boards that had a single PS/2 port. This matters to me since I use a 4 port PS/2 KVM switch to access my computers using a single monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I could get an adapter but I would rather have it right on the board.
Now that I have everything installed I must say I am extremely impressed with GigaByte. All their connectors are superbly labeled (best I have ever seen), the connectors are in locations that make sense, the back panel connector has clear labels, and over all the fit and finish of the board is great. If the board lasts, I may just have a new motherboard manufacturer that I prefer to use.
The computer is up and running now, and its running great. The new hardware worked perfectly to allow me to run my 64 bit linux based guest OS, and I went ahead and installed a different distrubution linux based host OS also. Pictures
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| | | | | | | mobo has all the ports I need and some I dont | | | | | extremely small factor heat sink, AMD must really be thinking this generates low heat | | | | | old motherboard and peripherals. still works but will be replaced | | | | | | new gigabyte board has excellent labels for connectors!! | | | | | again, you can see exellent labels for the power, reset, LED, etc. connectors | | | | | new mobo back panel, everything is highlighted and easy to read | | | | | | all assebled and ready to go | | | | | added a second fan on front to blow across hard drives, 3 HD total | | | | | also added new fan on side of case to blow down onto CPU, new fan not shown | | |
