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So I'm building another computer!

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So I'm building another computer!

Postby faninor » 12/3/2007, 2:07 am

I just ordered a bunch of parts, and Kym and I are going to attempt to build a small computer to act as a web server. It's going to be a little bit different than anything that I've done before. We're going to run a Linux OS on it, and I have very limited Linux experience, so that's something I'll have to learn...

Goals:
1. low noise/heat
2. low power consumption
3. small

Here are the parts that I'm ordering:

Motherboard
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JetWay J7F5M1G2E-VHE-LF
$219.99
This is the most expensive component I am purchasing, but also the most important. I chose a Mini-ITX motherboard for its small size (6.7"x6.7") and low power consumption. It has a great deal of features that I need integrated or bundled with it:
Bundled 1.2GHz CX700M CPU
Onboard video w/D-Sub & HDMI outputs
Onboard 6-channel audio
Onboard 10/100/1000Mbps LAN
1 ATA controller
2 SATA II controllers
Rear 2x USB 2.0
Rear 1x Firewire
Internal 4x USB 2.0

RAM
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G.SKILL Extreme Series F2-4200PHU1-1GBLA
$27.99
Wow, RAM sure is cheap these days. I chose this because it is a good brand and the specifications match the motherboard's maximum specifications for RAM.
1 GB DDR2 533

Compact Flash card
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Transcend TS8GCF133
$54.99
I am actually probably going to use this 8 GB card in my MicroTrack audio recorder, and use the 4 GB Kingston card that I'm currently using in my MicroTrack for this computer, if (1) the Transcend card works in my MicroTrack and (2) 4 GB is sufficient space for the computer. Why am I getting a CF card? I will be using it as the primary boot device. It is faster, quieter, cooler, and uses less power than a hard drive... so I will put Linux and all the software on the Compact Flash card instead of a hard drive, and just use hard drives for file storing. I will need an adapter to plug a Compact Flash card into an ATA cable.

Optical Drive
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Samsung SN-S082D Slim DVD Burner
$54.99
It's a DVD burner, like the kinds that you find in a laptop. The interface is a bit different than standard ATA cables, so I will need another adapter to plug a slim optical drive into an ATA cable.

IDE Cable
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Link Depot UV-ATA18-BU-3 IDE Cable
$3.49
It's your regular 18" 3 connector IDE round cable. I'll be using it to plug in the CF and DVD burner.

IDE to CF Adapter
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SB-ADIDE2CF-A1
$5.20

Slim CD-ROM to IDE Adapter
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$9.95

Chassis
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AOpen S150
$70.93
Everything will be going into this case. It's nice and small. 7.9"x12.6"x4.2". It can house a Mini ITX motherboard, 1 slim optical drive, and 1 3.5" hard drive. It has a power supply included rated for a maximum 150 Watts, but hopefully we will be far from that maximum... I'm not sure where the IDE to CF Adapter and CF card can be mounted, but it looks like there should be plenty of room inside.

Both SATA controllers will be unused at first. After this machine is up and running we'll add the internal drive to hold files... and eventually an external eSATA drive if necessary. But for that we need another adapter.

SATA to eSATA adapter
Image
Sabrent SATA-ES1P
$5.99
This fits in an expansion slot, and the case I'm getting only supports low profile expansion cards. I didn't notice this when ordering, whoops! So we may have to get creative here... but if it doesn't work that's fine.

Subtotal: $453.52
Tax: 33.48
Shipping: 29.18

Total: 516.18

Next step: find OS and software while waiting for parts to arrive... and assemble once they do!

Concerns:
Where will the CF adapter and card go?
Will 4GB be enough to hold the OS and all software?
Will I be able to do anything with the SATA to eSATA adapter?

If all goes well, Kym and I may try to sell some machines similar to this online to make some extra cash. I think there is some interest in it. Originally I was considering buying one pre-assembled that has worse specifications than this but would have been at least $800 after shipping.
Last edited by faninor on 12/3/2007, 2:22 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Postby Dr. Hobo » 12/3/2007, 2:19 am

if you're goin with linux look into playing around w/ unbuntu first.. its easiest to get operational and stuff from what ive heard.. after that find something more robust if you need it but yeah, unbuntu is a very good place to start
go fuck yourself.
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Postby faninor » 12/3/2007, 2:28 am

Dr. Hobo wrote:if you're goin with linux look into playing around w/ unbuntu first.. its easiest to get operational and stuff from what ive heard.. after that find something more robust if you need it but yeah, unbuntu is a very good place to start

I've used Ubuntu a bit, but Kym doesn't like its GUI. We are thinking Gentoo, for its modularity and flexibility... unless it becomes too much of a nightmare to configure. Fortunately Kym has more Linux experience than I do (but no luck with Gentoo in the past).
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Postby Dr. Hobo » 12/3/2007, 3:21 am

ooo.. i havent used it myself just going on what ive seen/heard/read
this comp currently cant handle even that :*)***
go fuck yourself.
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Postby Kicker774 » 12/3/2007, 10:09 am

Little experience with Linux myself unless you count my limited support role supporting the LindowsOS which I managed to crash using just notepad.

Alot of LinuxOSs (such as Unbuntu) are making their distro's to run of a bootbale CD-Rom so 8GB should work out fine depending on which distro you choose and what options you decide to install.


You can also market these types of system to CarPC entuhisiest. Put a small brick PC in your trunk or somethign then run a line up to your dash for a small touchscreen LCD.

Then you have all kidns of sat-nav stuff available to you along with Mp3s and movies on the go. People say that you'd be surpirsed how much abuse *Shaking stunting slamming* a HD can actually take but a CF card would definitley elimnate all that concern.

Also be sure to sign up as an affiliate of NewEgg or Tigredirect or whoever you buy parts from.

Buy through your link and your getting 2-3% back. Not huge profits or anything but something that adds up in the long run.
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Postby Johnny » 12/3/2007, 3:10 pm

You folks are using a whole bunch of big people words that I don't understand.
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Postby Lando » 12/3/2007, 4:44 pm

One Part you should be sure to add is:

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no computer is complete without it.
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Postby Dr. Hobo » 12/4/2007, 12:09 am

:love:
go fuck yourself.
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Postby Johnny » 12/4/2007, 1:10 am

Johnny 5 is outdated!
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Postby saman » 12/4/2007, 1:12 am

you're outdated!
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Postby Johnny » 12/4/2007, 1:14 am

oh noes. :(
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Postby Lando » 12/4/2007, 1:20 am

johnny 5 reads books faster than i can sneeze!
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Postby Dr. Hobo » 12/4/2007, 2:14 am

its true :nod:
j5 went through most of that bookstore in like
10 mins.. then called the lady a craphead :nod: :love:
go fuck yourself.
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Postby faninor » 12/8/2007, 10:45 pm

Well, all the parts arrived but ran into some issues... the CF reader has jumper settings for master or slave, but no cable select. The slim CD adapter doesn't have a jumper and is always cable select... so I can only see one of the drives at a time. Found a different slim CD adapter that definitely has slave/master/cable select jumper settings.
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Postby Johnny » 12/9/2007, 1:05 am

I agree, We need to attack the enemy from the west along the road.
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