Can I use a server as my home computer?

**conehed** · July 6th, 2009, 01:02 AM

I recently got hold of a Sun Fire X2200 m2 x64 server, 2x quad core amd opteron model 2356 processors (2 3ghz/95w b3), 8gb(4x 2gb) registered ecc ddr2-667 memory, 4x four integrated network ports, service processor, 6 usb ports, 1x power supply unit.
It has no hard drive & no optical drive.
I have spare optical & hard disc drives which I could connect. Would it then be usable as a good home computer? It's specs with regards to the quad core processor & RAM being much better than the computer I am currently using.

**cksboy15** · July 6th, 2009, 02:27 AM

yes

**ShyguyXPC** · July 6th, 2009, 06:41 AM

Yes, but You'll need an OS like Linux, or for Windows, You'll need Windows XP Pro or better, to take advantage of the Dual CPU's, XP home doesn't support Multiple CPU's only Multiple core Single CPU's. Vista And Windows 7 supports Multiple CPU's though.

you'll also want to look into a 64-bit version of those OS's to use/take advantage of all that RAM, 32-bit versions only use up to a maximum of 4GB for the entire system (RAM, Video card memory, etc etc)

**GroundZero3** · July 6th, 2009, 07:15 AM

I bet its gonna be loud!

**conehed** · July 6th, 2009, 10:50 AM

I was thinking of trying out windows 7.
Any ideas of anything else I might want to include in the set-up?
Do you think it will run ace?
Or should I just sell it & buy something else?
Happy to hear any theories/advice

**GroundZero3** · July 6th, 2009, 10:59 AM

What are your needs for a machine?

**conehed** · July 6th, 2009, 11:14 AM

mmmm, honestly...
I convert some movies sometimes, watch TV, browse the web, do college work. I use 3D drawing programs such as AutoCAD & Microstation. These 2 programs are probably the only things that put a strain on my current system.

**ShyguyXPC** · July 6th, 2009, 11:39 AM

whats the specs of your current system?

**conehed** · July 6th, 2009, 11:47 AM

ok, no laughing pls!
Currently on an Intel pentium 4HT 3Ghz. 2GB DDR2 RAM. the rest of the system continues along similar levels...

**ShyguyXPC** · July 6th, 2009, 11:55 AM

ahh, nevermind, yeah this system would easily blow it away.

its hard to say, if you feel you could utilize that server to its fullest potential and as GZ mentioned, it may be loud, then keep it and use it, but if you don't think you'd ever be able to effectively use all 8 cores and 8GB of RAM. I'd look into selling it, but then again, I wouldn't expect to get what it goes for new.

but you should be able to sell it for enough to build a newer single CPU quad core system, that'd be much more reasonable.

me personally I'd love to have a system like that, would help with 3D rendering programs I use in my spare time as a hobby. the 2 Quad cores would drop render times like a rock, but then again thats just me (also if I had a solid enough broadband connection instead of the Cable internet I have now, I'd use it as a game server for my clan when not used for 3D rendering)

**conehed** · July 6th, 2009, 12:03 PM

just wondering if anyone knows if I can fit a sound card into one of these..?

**ShyguyXPC** · July 6th, 2009, 03:59 PM

if theres room, and a slot for it, yes.

**glendalf81** · July 6th, 2009, 06:00 PM

i would keep it also, i'd be wetting my pants if i got hold of that, especially if you can fit a good GPU in it, it would blow most games apart

**pullmyfoot** · July 7th, 2009, 02:36 AM

You could send it to me

. But really, stick in a good GPU and a hard drive or two and your all set.

just wondering, where on earth did you get that system from?

its going to be loud so you might want to invest in some good quiet fans to cool it if its going to go in your room

**GroundZero3** · July 7th, 2009, 10:14 PM

Sorry guys, this is a pizza box server. Trying to fit in a half way decent card is not going to work

Sun Fire X2200 M2 Server

**pullmyfoot** · July 8th, 2009, 07:41 AM

then I advise you to sell it and build a proper gaming box!

**ShyguyXPC** · July 8th, 2009, 08:54 AM

has a PCIE 16x Riser card, in which case you'd be able to at least throw in a single slot Radeon 4650/4670 or Geforce 9500GT/9600GT. Providing the PSU has enough Amps for it.

but even with that said, you'd probably be better off selling it and building up a more traditional home consumer system, with a single CPU, even if its a Quad core. with the money made from selling it.

**GroundZero3** · July 8th, 2009, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by ShyguyXPC

has a PCIE 16x Riser card, in which case you'd be able to at least throw in a single slot Radeon 4650/4670 or Geforce 9500GT/9600GT. Providing the PSU has enough Amps for it.

but even with that said, you'd probably be better off selling it and building up a more traditional home consumer system, with a single CPU, even if its a Quad core. with the money made from selling it.

http://www.sun.com/images/l0/l0v3_su...00_p_specs.jpg

Good luck with that

**ShyguyXPC** · July 8th, 2009, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

http://www.sun.com/images/l0/l0v3_su...00_p_specs.jpg

Good luck with that

If you can add Single slot PCIE Fibre Channel Host adapters or Network cards or whatever as options in that particular system and case, it Can be done with a single slot video card

http://shop.sun.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP...Products=false

**Milwaukee** · July 8th, 2009, 09:18 PM

win xp pro would work

I try on dell poweredge before it show 2 cpu and 3.5 gb rams.

Before you do. Do you have enough $ for electric bills they would add about $20 per months if it turn on 24/7

They are way powerful than my laptop it so fast you could open firefox under 2 sec vs normal computer 3-4 sec. But they kind noisey due fans spin full speed.