ECC file server build

Shlouski

VIP Member
I need to build a server to store very important data so I was looking into building one that supports and takes full advantage of ecc memory. I have read that Ryzen non apu's and many asrock am4 boards support ECC functionality, but don't log files for ECC error corrections on the motherboard, so presumably this would be up to the OS and if so which OS's support this feature?

Would it be better if I bought something like this: https://www.pccomponentes.com/hp-proliant-microserver-gen10-amd-opteron-x3216-8gb

Would this server take full advantage of ecc ram and would it be possible to use a windows operating system on it?
 

Shlouski

VIP Member
As it's just a storage server with only a handful of users it does not need to be all that powerful and I imagine that 8gb of ecc udimm will be more than enough ram for the foreseeable future.

After further investigation I believe that many am4 motherboards often do support ecc ram but work in non ecc mode and the few that may run in ecc mode are hit and miss, so I'm steering away from an am4 build.

I know the micro server comes with 8gb udimm ecc, can run windows OS's and comes in a small form factor, which is perfect for me. I don't mind paying extra for a prebuilt if it means the cpu, ram and motherboard are made to work together in ecc mode, takes out all the guess work.
 

Intel_man

VIP Member
I mean.... you haven't really answered my question but ok.

You're probably better off with grabbing a used Xeon on eBay if you need buffered (registered) ECC memory and partner it with a workstation board/chipset to can run that type of memory.
 

Intel_man

VIP Member
In your use case, probably none apart from finding rdimms on ebay being like way cheaper.

Just beware that if you use rdimm, you need workstation boards that support it. So if you go the route of using Xeons on consumer mobos, you can probably only run udimms on them.
 

Shlouski

VIP Member
In your use case, probably none apart from finding rdimms on ebay being like way cheaper.

Just beware that if you use rdimm, you need workstation boards that support it. So if you go the route of using Xeons on consumer mobos, you can probably only run udimms on them.

Thanks for the help.

I have a really limited knowledge of server hardware so I've been studying up as much as I can, but when I look on ebay (Europe) for even old server mobos they are usually expensive, even if the cpu's are cheap.

I would prefer to buy a new motherboard, but I'm fine with secondhand cpu and ram. Can you recommend a reliable and affordable configuration or just point me in the right direction please?

I was looking at the HP Proliant Micro G.10 for 320 euros delivered because I can get it here in Tenerife, anything I buy off ebay is expensive when it comes to shipping.
 
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