What would use to build a server with these requirements?

[wildbill001]

So first off, cost is obviously a consideration. With that said, here are the requirements for some software I would like to test/learn in the coming months:

1. 32gb RAM min
2. 16 cores (doesn't seem to matter if it on 1 cpu or multiple)
3. CPU speed is not important but faster is always better
4. at least HD graphics
5. Support for at least 2-3 SATA or SSD drives.
6. Either Centos or Windows support
7. Used data-center stuff would be ok as long as reliable
8. Min of 100mb Ethernet support. Gigabit would be better
9. Let's say the budget is $2-3K (less is way better, however).

The software I will be working with is "enterprise-level" and not gaming of any kind.

I've been out of the hardware market for a while so I'm looking for suggestions.

Bill W

 

[kanewolf]

If you want to learn servers, then you have buy a server. That means generally means a used device. A 2U server is the basis of most datacenters. But they are noisy for home. But the manufacturers do may some larger case hosts that have the same motherboard. For example the HP DL and ML series of hosts. SATA and SSD drives are not generally enterprise learning. Hot-swap SAS is the enterprise standard. Discrete RAID controller with battery backup. IPMI port. Dual socket. Hot swap redundant power supplies. Those are the enterprise features.

Your 16 core requirement is a little odd for a "learning" server. This requirement sounds like you have a specific use, you haven't documented in your requirements.

 

[why_wolf]

You can play around with this workstation build then. But in short it sounds like you are looking for a threadripper (AMD CPU) build. Gigabit is standard now. You can swap out the drives and GPU for what you want. If you just want basic monitor support then you only need a GT 1030.

[PCPartPicker part list](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PJDNgw) / [Price breakdown by merchant](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/PJDNgw/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CF7CmG/amd-threadripper-1950x-34ghz-16-core-processor-yd195xa8aewof) | $749.99 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [ASRock - X399 Taichi ATX TR4 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/kjmxFT/asrock-x399-taichi-atx-tr4-motherboard-x399-taichi) | $323.98 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill - Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pvLypg/gskill-memory-f42400c15q32grk) | $300.98 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital - Black PCIe 256GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/DM7CmG/western-digital-black-pcie-256gb-m2-2280-solid-state-drive-wds256g1x0c) | $89.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Hitachi - Ultrastar 7K3000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/p8tCmG/hitachi-internal-hard-drive-hua723020ala640) | $49.99 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [PNY - Quadro P1000 4GB Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/86H48d/pny-quadro-p1000-4gb-video-card-vcqp1000-pb) | $319.99 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Fractal Design - Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/y7YWGX/fractal-design-case-fdcacore2300bl) | $64.77 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [SeaSonic - G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/DPCwrH/seasonic-power-supply-ssr550rm) | $70.11 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/MfH48d/microsoft-os-fqc08930) | $143.49 @ Amazon
**Other**| NH-U14S TR4-SP3| $74.89
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$2188.18**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2018-08-03 13:19 EDT-0400 |

 

[wildbill001]

Thanks Why_Wolf! Great minds seem to think alike as those components are very close to what I was thinking of getting.