Should I buy an IBM eServer x275 to install Windows Home Server on? (time sensitive!) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

telekinetic · 09-08-2009, 07:26 PM

There is an IBM x235 for sale for $80 locally, (similar to this one listed on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-eServer-xSer...3286.m20.l1116 but with more of everything) with dual 2.8ghz Xeon, 4gb ram, and 3x18gb SCSI drives. I'm thinking about trying to convert this to a Windows Home Server I already have several large SATA drives that I'll actually be using for storage.

Pros:
It's cheaper than any comparable mobo/processor/ram/case with that many drive slots combo I've found
It's a SERVER...100lbs of steel chassis, like God intended.
It's got hot swap slots already (although they're SCSI...I'd have to gut them or convert them to SATA somehow...custom backplane?)
It comes with some SCSI drives? I dunno if that's a pro or con.

Cons:
It's enormous. I kind of put this under 'pro' also, but still.
It might not be very green...I'm not sure on its power consumption
It's an IBM Server...I've heard this is hard to install various OS and drivers on? True/False?
No onboard Sata, I'd have to get a PCI or PCI-X card...not a huge problem...I need a gigabit ethernet card and another gig of ram for my current setup, so I figure it zero-sums.
Hotswap slots currently SCSI...like I said, I'd need to convert them.

Anyways, my goal for this is have a fun cool project that functions as a reliable always-on headless computer with 5 or 6 TB of storage in a back bedroom closet that backs up all my computers and serves up all my media to the various AppleTV's and Xboxen and such.

I already have Windows Home Server running on an old Vaio, but I'd like to be able to rebuild that as a desktop and give it to my dad, since it only has three internal hard drive slots.

Thanks for the input, and I'd love any other suggestions!

wraithhibn · 09-09-2009, 05:17 AM

For $80 its worth it to get it for just the CPU's and RAM. SCSI drives aren't cheap either. I'd say get it and then you can decide if it works for you or just to cannibalize it for parts to get what you want.

monokrome · 09-12-2009, 05:42 AM

Assuming it works? Yes. If I had $50, I'd have a new file server right now.

Wyodiver33 · 09-12-2009, 04:48 PM

Darn, just for parts I'd be happy to drop 80 bucks on it.

09-08-2009, 07:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	Should I buy an IBM eServer x275 to install Windows Home Server on? (time sensitive!) There is an IBM x235 for sale for $80 locally, (similar to this one listed on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-eServer-xSer...3286.m20.l1116 but with more of everything) with dual 2.8ghz Xeon, 4gb ram, and 3x18gb SCSI drives. I'm thinking about trying to convert this to a Windows Home Server I already have several large SATA drives that I'll actually be using for storage. Pros: It's cheaper than any comparable mobo/processor/ram/case with that many drive slots combo I've found It's a SERVER...100lbs of steel chassis, like God intended. It's got hot swap slots already (although they're SCSI...I'd have to gut them or convert them to SATA somehow...custom backplane?) It comes with some SCSI drives? I dunno if that's a pro or con. Cons: It's enormous. I kind of put this under 'pro' also, but still. It might not be very green...I'm not sure on its power consumption It's an IBM Server...I've heard this is hard to install various OS and drivers on? True/False? No onboard Sata, I'd have to get a PCI or PCI-X card...not a huge problem...I need a gigabit ethernet card and another gig of ram for my current setup, so I figure it zero-sums. Hotswap slots currently SCSI...like I said, I'd need to convert them. Anyways, my goal for this is have a fun cool project that functions as a reliable always-on headless computer with 5 or 6 TB of storage in a back bedroom closet that backs up all my computers and serves up all my media to the various AppleTV's and Xboxen and such. I already have Windows Home Server running on an old Vaio, but I'd like to be able to rebuild that as a desktop and give it to my dad, since it only has three internal hard drive slots. Thanks for the input, and I'd love any other suggestions! __________________ twisted no more Last edited by telekinetic; 09-08-2009 at 07:30 PM..

09-09-2009, 05:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
wraithhibn Dopefish Location: the 'Ville	For $80 its worth it to get it for just the CPU's and RAM. SCSI drives aren't cheap either. I'd say get it and then you can decide if it works for you or just to cannibalize it for parts to get what you want. __________________ If you won't dress like the Victoria Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

09-12-2009, 05:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
monokrome Upright Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA	Assuming it works? Yes. If I had $50, I'd have a new file server right now. __________________ * monokrome </3 morning < Martian> monokrome: You probably wouldn't hate mornings so much if you and PunkofAges didn't stay up all night drinking so often. owned.

09-12-2009, 04:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wyodiver33 Just here for the beer. Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Floriduh	Darn, just for parts I'd be happy to drop 80 bucks on it. __________________ I like stuff.