Cheap server setups

[xilus]

does anybody know if there is a thread with some cheap server setups?
I am looking for an intel fileserver to run Ubuntu, a powerful CPU is not needed.
perhaps 1-2gb of ram.
the important thing is that it is cheaper than a mac mini, and it works for a long time.

[The Wise Monkey]

If it is just for a file server, you could probably get away with using one of the all-in-one atom motherboard/CPU combinations.

If you want something more powerful, you could get an i3 530 for $115 and pair that with a cheap motherboard and maybe a passively cooled graphics card, and that is pretty much all you need.

[xilus]

would you buy something like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859105503
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859105503)
Or would that be a crappy chassis, crapy setup, disposable computer?
I took apart one computer that was never made to be taken apart one time. It was a piece of crap.
When I took it apart everything just fell apart.
I felt like I was taking apart a one use disposable camera.

[The Wise Monkey]

Hmm, that looks OK actually. The user reviews seem mostly positive, which is always a good sign.

It depends on what you are going to be using it for. You may be hard pressed to build your own for that kind of price, but you could have much more choice about the components.

For example, this motherboard and CPU would be excellent:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130242
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116264

This PSU would be good for running multiple HDs if you decide to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371023

Chuck in 1-2GB of RAM and a few hard drives, and that would come out as more than the server you mentioned, but would be much more capable of handling other things if you ever decide to expand.