Ram for game server

[tempest993]

Me and a friend are building a game server to bring to lans. We are on a budget and are using mostly "old" parts. We are buying a 15" lcd and a micro atx mobo because we are going for portability. (I know the lcd is expensive... thats why were on a budget.) I was wondering how much of a difference DDR ram would make in a system like this, running dedicated servers.
BTW: This is all fitting inside an old power mac case!

[killacomie12]

A little but not much, use what you have

[tempest993]

How's this for a game server?
All prices off newegg.com.
Missing LCD for now.
Free = we have the part.

Case:
Old mac case
Free

CPU:
1ghz Athlon
Free

GPU:
ATI OEM RADEON 7200 32MB DDR AGP BULK
$42

HD:
WD WESTERN DIGITAL EIDE HARD DRIVE 30GB 7200RPM MODEL # WD300BB - OEM, DRIVE ONLY
$69

CD:
Dvd rom
Free

PS:
300w PS
Free

Keyboard:
BLACK ORtek MCK-800 Multimedia Keyboard. PS2. Built-in 16 Multimedia hot keys
$12

Mouse:
BLACK, 3-button, Scrolling Internet Easy+ Mouse. PS2. Retail.
$5

Switch:
Linkskey 8 Port 10/100 Switch Palm size (metal case) - RETAIL BOX
$33

HD Rack thing:
Toolless Removeable Hard drive Bracket with base
$4

Modem:
56k modem
Free

Fan:
numerous 80mm fans
Free

Motherboard:
ECS K7SEM B SiS730S MICRO ATX - RETAIL BOX (244mm x 220mm)
$59

Floppy drive:
Free

HSF:
Thermaltake VOLCANO 5
$7

[TheUltimateNewbie]

Looks good. Have fun playing games.

[tempest993]

Heh, with 512 of pc133 being sold for $65, i think i'll just for it then. I'll be sure to post some pics once i get all this stuff in that power mac case

[KeeperMarius]

What's going to make the most difference for your little server is the CPU and the amount of memory. You could splurge for a multiple SCSI, multi processor, unimaginable horde of RAM machine, but that really wouldn't be worth it, now would it?

The mobo you mentioned is also called the Decision Maker 810LMR. It comes with an AGP and 2 PCI slots, as well as onboard LAN, sound, video, and sound, so don't worrry about buying the Radeon if you're not actually going to be gaming on this thing. It handles a 266fsb, so focus on what really counts: Your CPU and RAM. I'd sell the CPU off and see if I could get a strong AthlonXP (1.53ghz+ maybe). 512mb of RAM should do, though UT servers really eat memory.

Just some things to consider.

[killacomie12]

You can get a cheap ultra scsi raid card on ebay for like 30 bucks and get like 4 scsi disks and run raid 5, it would be pretty quick, 40 meg/s over 3 chanels =120

[patssle]

512 now...wait for them to get lower and get another piece later. thats what i would do.

[tempest993]

Thanks for all the tips. I need the radeon in there because its the cheapest card I can find with a good DVI display. Also, thats a VERY low end radeon and would be crap for gamin anyhow. I would get a nicer processor but with a $300 lcd display... thats a bit pricy. The only reason its getting a 1ghz Athlon instead of a 1 or 1.3 Duron is that i am getting a 1800+ for my self. And as far as scsi goes, 4 disks seems a bit much for this case, its just a power mac. Anyhow, its not running a database, just some games at a lan and mp3 sharin.

[killacomie12]

It would haul *** for mp3 sharing and map changes, you can find a cheap case for like 25 bucks get a sodering iron and a errectoer set and you can make your own hard drive cage =)
Ultra hard drives like 10 bucks each, CHEAP get like 64megs of ecc cashe, FAST
Plus it would be cool to say that you have a scsi raid in there,
"Yes its a scsi raid" "What speed?" "Ummmm i'll be right back"

[patssle]

heh, yeah 4 disks would be overkill

and i think a nice LCD display beats getting a 1.5 or so athlon xp to replace a 1ghz or so duron/athlon.

[tempest993]

Originally posted by killacomie12
It would haul *** for mp3 sharing and map changes, you can find a cheap case for like 25 bucks get a sodering iron and a errectoer set and you can make your own hard drive cage =)
Ultra hard drives like 10 bucks each, CHEAP get like 64megs of ecc cashe, FAST
Plus it would be cool to say that you have a scsi raid in there,
"Yes its a scsi raid" "What speed?" "Ummmm i'll be right back"

External rack? No way! As i have said, i am going for portability. Why else would i pay $300 for a stinkin moniter? Everything but the mouse and keyboard are going to be in the case. Including the 8 port switch!