So I bought myself a HP MicroServer Gen8 as a christmas present ;-). But this topic here (http://homeservershow.com/forums/index.php?/topic/5578-can-you-build-your-own-gen8-equivalent-microserver) and some issues with the Gen8 got me thinking.
Mainly the issue with Linux not being supported correctly pissed me off. When the hard disks are set to AHCI mode, the server's fans will run at 30%, which is very noisy instead of nice and silent. Also, the HP support said about this issue: "Works as designed.". The issues and the history with HP's support are explained and discussed here:
- http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/ProLiant-Servers-Netservers/MicroServer-Gen8-is-noisy/td-p/6171563 - yes, it is discussed on the HP site.
- http://homeservershow.com/forums/index.php?/topic/6032-g8-microserver-be-aware-of-fan-issue-add-in-cards/
That being said, I think the Microserver is rather "broken by design". Why would anyone run a _single_ hard disk in Raid 0 mode just for the driver and bios software to be compatible for less noise?
I thought the MicroServer is supposed to be a server. But they seem to expect you to install Windows Server or VmWare ESXi instead of a generic Linux. What?!
So here's my list:
- http://geizhals.de/994971 Intel Core i3-4130T, 2x 2.90GHz, boxed (BX80646I34130T)
- http://geizhals.de/466057 G.Skill RipJaws DIMM Kit 8GB, DDR3-1600, CL9-9-9-24 (F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL)
- http://geizhals.de/940344 ASRock Z87E-ITX (90-MXGPG0-A0UAYZ)
- http://geizhals.de/660357 Lian Li PC-Q25B schwarz, Mini-DTX/Mini-ITX
- http://geizhals.de/679523 be quiet! Pure Power L8-CM 430W ATX 2.31 (L8-CM-430W/BN180)
Parts, which will give you good server performance, good compatibility, low power consumption and low noise! It even is big on NAS and HTPC features.
This machine will sum up to around 420,- Euro. The MicroServer G8 G1620T cost me about 405,- Euro. Are the IT-Management features and perhaps ECC worth the performance and fan noise drawbacks?
No.
I sent the MicroServer back and will go for a DIY setup instead.
