Decent spec for a home server

[CriticalError]

Hi,

Looking to buy a new PC, to put Windows Server on it. Don't want to spend too much thinking around £150 budget.

I am thinking a dual core, with 4GB ram(AMD Dual core) and use Onboard graphics card. As with a HDD I am thinking of getting an SSD. I already have a 2.5" laptop HDD which is 750GB, will this be OK for user data storage?

I got three PCs in my home, my laptop, desktop PC, and a pc in the living room. The server won't have many connections going into it, since I mostly use the laptop and my own PC, and can obviously only use one at a time. While my family use the other PC.

Will the above spec be OK?

 

[MrNeeds]

as long as you can access your files, you could get a netbook (spec wise) if you wanted, I don't see the point in getting an SSD though, a mechanical HDD would be fine, the only thing that's important is security and network connection when running a home server, you could get a proper rackmount server for a lot cheaper than that.

 

[LMiller7]

It is meaningless to consider specs without knowing the uses of the server. Depending on these the requirements could vary significantly. In particular the nature and size of the data it will store.

While do you need Windows server? A client OS should more than meet the needs of most home users.

 

[logicearth]

You know just last weekend I built a small server for myself, to handle DHCP, DNS, and run a web server as well as anything else I want. I built mine out of an Intel NUC, about a 4 inch by 4 inch by 1 1/2 inch little computer. I used a copy of Windows Server 2012 R2 that I got from Dreamspark.

The specs of it are as follows:

Intel NUC D54250WYK (Space for a 2.5 inch HDD)
CPU: i5-4250U Haswell, 2 Cores (4 Threads), 1.3 GHz to 2.6 GHz, 15w
RAM: Crucial 16 GB Kit (2 x 8 GB), 1600 DDR3 Low Voltage 1.35/1.5 V
mSATA: Crucial M550 - 256 GB [Will later add a 2.5 drive for more storage.]
Wifi: Intel Network 7260.HMWG, Wireless-AC + Bluetooth [Not currently used.]

The RAM and mSATA drive are little over spec, could have gone with a lot smaller numbers. Right now the server is only using about 20 GB of space. The RAM I could have just gone with 8 or even 4 without issues. However, I wanted to deck it out completely for future applications. I intend to do a lot more with this little machine as a test bed for different application like virtualization. No doubt the limiting factor is going to be the CPU. However, it is suitable for a small home server with little traffic or as a test bed.

I agree with the two above, however. Without knowing the purpose, or the intended use of the server specing out a machine would be impractical. Over specing would just waste money, while under specing would create performance issues. To properly assist we need to know what this server is going to be doing.