Rig 4 - Dell Server

Rig 4 - Dell Server

Uses?

VoIP/File + Print/Music Server. 

The DELL SERVER runs SKYPE for the VoIP.  I am in the process of rolling it out all over the house.  The thought of cheap calls worldwide has massive appeal.  The quality of the line is very good, and more telephony equipment is becoming available.  Using the wireless network at home means that calls can be made from all the machines.  I have even setup the software on the mobile phones in the house.  They connect to SKYPE through the wireless network, and call prices drop dramatically !
For the music server we use TWONKYVISION.  This is great software developed by a German chap.  The software sits on the C drive and scan specified directories for MP3 file.  We currently have nearly 200,000 MP3s and we love music.  Again, through the wireless network, we can stream the music to all the PCs.  We have a Netgear MP101 Wireless MP3 player, connected to our living room Hi-Fi. Again, using the wireless network we can stream to this device aswell.
The printer is an HP 7762, and is setup on the DELL SERVER.  Again, it is shared and we can print from all the PCs.  We can also print emails and document received via email on out mobile phone/pocket PCs using HP Mobile Printing.

How much?

£340 + £350 on Hard Drives

Components used?

Dell Dimensions 8400
P4 775 3.0ghz Prescott (at default speed)
Intel 925x Motherboard
512MB DDR2 Samsung RAM (@ 400mhz @ 3.3.3.8 timings)
1 x 80GB Maxtor SATA HDD
1 x 160GB Seagate SATA Barracuda 7200.7 HDD
1 x 250GB Maxtor UDA133 HDD
1 x 300GB Maxtor UDA133 HDD
1 x ATI x300 SE Graphics Card(running @ stock)
NO CD/DVD !!
DELL Dimensions 8400 Case

Why Intel/AMD, ATi/Nvidia?

Thats how it came.  I needed a processor that could handle several tasks at once.  We quite often have 3 PC pulling music, I might be making a VoIP call, then one of the girls will print or pull files from it.  I did a test with an AMD3500 + and it just couldnt handle multiple tasks, whereas the P4 multitasked well.  Plus, for £340 it was a bargainI couldnt build one cheaper !!!

Runs okay?

Yes, very impressed.  It does exactly what its supposed to do.  Motherboard serves the machine well, and its always quick.  The layout of the machine is very tidy, and temps are kept low.  We never have any problems with it.

The best part?

Its silent.  You cant hear it at all.  I assume its that enormous green fan system for the processor.  The heatsink looks like the HYPER 6 with the 6 copper heat pipes. 

Bad points?

512MB RAM, it should really have 1GB, and be 533mhz, not 400.

3dmark scores?

3Dmark01 NEVER RAN IT
3Dmark03 2192
3Dmark05 NEVER RAN IT
Aquamark NEVER RAN IT

Planned Upgrades?

It needs HDD space, like now !  Currently it has 790GB over the 4 HDDs.  I hate the fact that it has 2 x IDE and 2 x SATA for a start, I would rather have 4 x SATA in there.  I will replace the 2 x IDE HDDs with 2 x 400 or 500 GB SATA, and the 80gb SATA currently in there with a 400 or 500GB SATA drive also.  We have a vast MP3/video/photo/file collection and need 1.5TB as soon as.  The girls and I will fill 1.5TB by the end of the yearweve filled up 700GB in the last 6 months !!!

So there you have it, a collection of kick ass technology. Sweet as.

Of course, if you'd like your rig featured please email me: wildstyle AT guru3d DOT com (bit of spam prevention there!)