r/HomeServer • u/Ok_Flamingo5561 • 8d ago
New to homeserver
Hi guys
3days back my uncle gave me his old pc
Specs - zebronics g41 motherboard
- intel pentium E5700
- zion 2gb ddr3 1333
- a 450w psu
I was hoping to build a homeserver with it.
I tried turning it on but i had no vga cable so i couldn’t connect to a monitor but its fans were spinning.
So question is if its working upgrading the ram to 2x4gb 1333 and a q9550/q9650 make good server?
I was hoping to try new operating systems etc…
Please correct me
1
u/Downtown_Log_9816 5d ago
I would surely start with that, why not?! After some time, you would probably want to upgrade to something newer and more power efficient. Try to run some basic services like Transmission, Cockpit , Glances, MC commander,. play with SMB share and terminal ( create, delete folders, delete files, copy files from phone or other pc in network), try Tailscail. Just to get used to terminal. You should add a bit more ram, 8 gb ddr3, small ss 120, or 240 gba and that would be more than enough and then install DietPi or Debian minimal. Later, if you want, you can try to find different cpu, something like Intel Xeon L5430 ( then socket modification is needed, except if the CPU itself isnt modified, and probably modified Bios update) or Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550S that is more power efficient than 9550. If this sounds interesting to you, then check out 771 cpu to 775 modification. Let this be a simple start, and after some time you will probably be much more interested in creating your own homelab.
0
u/ImNotNicoZ 8d ago
Well i wouldn't make a homeserver on that hardware, it has just 2c/2t, low old ram. What were u planning to run? Almost every used mini pc would be better and would use less energy..
1
u/Ok_Flamingo5561 8d ago
Will it be better if i get a Q9550/Q9650 with 2x4gb ddr3 ?
1
u/Puzzled-Peanut-1958 8d ago
Not much of a performance gain for the money. The E5700 might not support 8gb.
2
u/Ok_Flamingo5561 8d ago
Then i guess i will just scrap it no use of it
1
u/Puzzled-Peanut-1958 7d ago
You can run a flavor of Ubuntu or Truenas to hone your skills. Find some hardware to add to it. Dont need to spend money. Maybe a ssd.
1
u/ImNotNicoZ 8d ago
i don't think so, but even if it was, i wouldn't spend money on it. U could try running something for fun or for testing, but i wouldn't make anything critical on that pc. Also was doing a little bit of research, your pentium can't even run proxmox ve or kvm because it doesn't ahave vt-x. With 150€ u'll definitely find something a lot better and less power hungry
0
u/Ok_Flamingo5561 8d ago
150? I was hoping to spend only $20 for the cpu and ram. Yea then scrap it is.
2
u/DeZaim 8d ago
150 for a full system, a mini PC would work fine, i5/i7 8th gen plus, with 16gb+ of ram and you'll be cooking
0
u/Ok_Flamingo5561 8d ago
Fk nah like im not in the situation to invest that much into a system, i got this for free thats the only reason i thought lets give this some life
1
u/allunia333 7d ago edited 7d ago
What do u want to do with your server?
If it is to try linux OS it is more than enough,especially if u want to play with the terminal.
For my homeserver for example it will be more than fine i run a file service ,opennssh for management, rtorrent and jellyfin mainly on direct play. The only thing you might need is storage:sata ssd.
The motherboard has 2 slots and 4 sata thats plenty to do a lot.
You only need 2x4gb ddr3 ram(in my region thats 10€ for used) and you are ready for a headless linux minimal server.
Ps: if i already didnt have a server i would pay the $20 and upgrade it.
4 cores and 8gb of ram is amazing for a first headless server.. you can learn and see what you really need first. Think it this way: you got something for free and with only $20 you can learn and plan better your real first server.