New home server

Finally ordered the components for my new home server, it arrived yesterday. Spent most of the evening and half of today putting it together. This is the first time I've actually assembled a computer by myself, so I was quite happy (and slightly surprised) when it didn't explode when I turned it on :)

Anyway, this is my new server:

• Intel i7 920 processor
• Asus Rampage II Gene motherboard
• 1x 2GB DDR3-1333 RAM
• Asus GTS 250 graphics card (just for folding - the server runs headless)
• 3x 1.5 TB storage space (it's a server, after all)
• 1x 160 GB 2.5" system disk
• Antec Sonata III case
• Antec EarthWatt (EA) 500 W power supply (included in case)

The OS is Ubuntu Server 8.04 LTS. 

After a few experiments, Folding@Home gives me ~7,000 PPD from the processor and ~5,500 PPD from the graphics card, for a total of ~12,500:

Not too shabby as initial score, it is five times more than my PS3 and Mac mini together.

Next step will be to reduce power consumption and noise. I want a decently performing server, but I also want it to be very energy efficient and as close to silent as I can make it.

The graphics card was a mistake - it's way too noisy to run 24/7. I was going for the DK (Dark Knight) model, as several reviews said it was reasonably quiet for a mid-range graphics card. But what I received was a non-DK model, I guess I'll return it for the DK version.

On the other hand I'm very happy with the motherboard. It is advertised as a dedicated "hardcore gamer" board, and I am most definitely a non-gamer, but I love it - there are tons of stuff to experiment with in the BIOS, and it is equally useful whether you are looking for maximum performance, minimal power consumption or, as myself, optimal efficiency.

So I guess I have a few weeks of experiments ahead. It will be fun :)