Category Archives: Computer Builds
Mushkin Callisto 120GB SSD Install and Performance Specs
So last weekend I put and Mushkin Enhanced Chronos (MKNSSDCR120GB) 120GB SSD ($150) in my personal PC here at home and saw some amazing results. I posted about it here. Later that weekend, I was talking to the Worship Guy at our church and he had seen the post as ask if I thought an SSD drive could speed up the PC the church uses for video production. It is a Dell XPS 630i with (Core 2 Duo Quad Core, E8200, 2.66, 6MB Wolfdale, 65W) but came into our hands with a 500GB OS spinning drive and just 3GB of RAM. Of course my answer was YES and how fast can we get one in! He smiled.
Later the next day a Mushkin Callisto 120GB SATA II 2.5” drive was ordered from Newegg.com and shipped with 8GB of new RAM ($100). Since the PC does a lot of video rendering, more RAM is always better.
The upgrade was smooth and easy. Added the RAM (G.Skill DDR2-800 4x4GB) first and turned the PC back on to make sure it was working correctly. Checked the Windows Experience Index (Control Panel\System and Security\System) and noticed that the Memory number had changed from a 5.9 to a 7.1. A good sign that all was working well.
Jim’s Build – ATOM v CORE i3 – Another Shocking Decision!
If you have been following my discussion to build a Windows Home Server…
jims-building-a-new-whs-choosing-the-motherboard
efficient-inexpensive-tiny-home-server-love-it-or-leave-it (by Chris Lux)
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help-jim-build-his-new-whs-reconsidering-some-choices
you know that here has been some really good comments and much has been discussed. Thanks Home Server Show Community!
In the quest to make the right pick, I spent some time analyzing the difference between the Atom and Core i3 choices. There has been much debate in the forums as of late and I wanted to get to the bottom of a few things. Charts like this help me sort things out. Since I will most likely be using similar hard drives, I left those off for now. Although, as I started looking at the drives, that might become an entirely different debate in itself.
I chose the Gigabyte Atom board because of the strong recommendation from Pcdoc on that brand. I also leaned that way because most Atom boards only have 2 SATA ports, and this one has 4. It was also very reasonably priced. It was a good combo.
I have included a link with each product at Newegg and I didn’t really shop around much either. If you find better prices elsewhere, be sure to leave it in the comments.
Jim’s Building a New WHS – Choosing the Motherboard
As I mentioned in The Home Server Show 82, I am going to ask for your advice (or convincing) on all the parts needed to build a new WHS. Starting with the motherboard and CPU, we will have an open discussion at the HSS forums (http://homeservershow.com/forums). After a week or two on each part, I will make a decision and we will start with the next component. We may even discuss your posts on the show.
My priorities will be to get the best value that is available. Not always the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. I want this server to be around for a while as well, but also easy to upgrade when the time comes or the need arises.
After some discussion in the forums already, here are some basic guidelines:
1. Onboard video is required. I don’t want to have to install a video card
2. DDR 3 Memory
3. Gigabit Ethernet
4. No less than 4 SATA ports
Nice to haves:
1. USB 3.0
2. 6Gb SATA
Not important at all:
1. Anything to do with Audio
2. Memory Support above 8 GB
