Suggestions for hardware

[Nohto]

I need to build a couple of PCs for a POS system. Here are the manufacturers requirements:

Hardware
Requirements
Main Database Server and Client systems must have these minimum
2GHZ Processor for Server and 1.8 GHz for Clients
40GB Hard Drive for Server and Clients
1GB RAM for Server (2GB recommended) , 512MB for Clients
CDR/W or External USB Hard drive on Server for Backing Up
10/100Mbps Network Interface Card (NIC)
1 or more of each of the following ports: Parallel, Serial, USB
UPS Battery Backup with Safe System Shutdown Software

I was thinking of going with a Abit KV7 and a 2500 for the client and maybe for the server also, since they offer a 3yr warranty and there shouldn't be a heavy load just networking a Data file. The software requirements are a little different than I am used to

Main Database
Server Setup:
• Windows 2000 Server installed with Service Pack 3
• MS-SQL Server 2000 installed
• IIS Installed (all services turned off)
• FTP Service turned on and tested
• Server hardware reviewed by Helios technician

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Nohto]

come on guys!!!!!!

[HawainPanda]

wow..thats a lot of memory...but i think the athlon xp 2500 is a great idea...do the me have to be ecc?

[Nohto]

The board doesn't require ECC and according to their specs it doesn't, but in a server it probably isn't a bad idea. I am not too sure about the Abit board right now. I have one that is giving me a problem with reboots, and another just yesterday that won't reboot. Can't check it until Tues. because of the holiday. Might be something besides the board. Abit isn't always consistent in their products. Haven't been real happy with them since the KX7-333R

[shafty]

where do you live in vegas?

[Nohto]

That's not something everyone answers on a open forum. Sunrise mountain area.

[Nohto]

Been reading on the AV7 and it seems that they have PMW issues. What board with either a 400 or 600 or even Nforce-2 chipset is the most dependable (durable, stable) and still has decent performance? Need onboard lan.

[Nohto]

.

[Alexandrus]

Well, let's see.
I would definitely suggest that the server be based on Intel chipset and CPU. Something like a 3.0C CPU and i865PE or i875P with onboard Gigabit LAN would be a great choice for the server.
3.0C and ASUS P4C800E-Deluxe or ABIT IC7-G for the server would be my choice, and I only choose the mobo for the integrated Intel Gigabit LAN.
The RAM shouldn't be a problem, and since i875P supports ECC, you can get ECC RAM for safety.
Harddrives, well, your chioce, I would get Seagate products for reliability.
A DVDRW drive for back-up, they are pretty cheap nowadays and a CD isn't quite enough anymore. NEC ND-2500A would be good, or Plextor PX-708A, these are my suggestions, but there are plenty DVDRW drives on the market.

For the clients, you can go two ways. Either AMD Barton 2500+ with ASUS A7V600 or any other KT600 board(for a local network with normal users, nForce2 is not a great choice due to driver issues, but you can go nForce2 if you'd like, A7N8X is a good board, ABIT NF7 as well), or you can get Celeron based system. Celeron D is available now I think, and it has decent performance. Plus, you have the advantage of Intel chipsets. i865P based boards such as ASUS P4P800 or ABIT IS7 are good choices, and they have 3COM LAN integrated. For the clients, you can also go with integrated graphics, nForce2 IGP or i865G, save you some money. The HDDs and RAM are up to you, as well as the UPS's.

[Nohto]

Alexandrus, thanks for the reply. I was thinking of going with the Intel chipset for the server. I really don't see any reason for going with a 3.0 though, or with a Gigabit lan. It is only going to be backing up a small Access data file every 30 min. (actually synchronizing the file between 2 locations). When I say small I mean at max 250 meg. file more like 100 meg. That is also why a CDRW drive would be more than enough for backup. I prefer the new Zip 750, since you can repeateldy write to the media and don't have to treat it with kit gloves. I was probably going to go with a 2.4C 800 FSB.
The other issue is the owner has stressed that he doesn't want to have to pay excessively and since they have required SQL server that cost is about $550.00 plus I think $135.00 per client.