Building a low-power home server

[-Psy-]

I'm planning to build a cheap, low-power home server for storing all my files as I jump from my laptop to my computer and vice-versa. So it must use a moderate amount of power as it will be on all-day, and it should also be quite small and quiet.

So what components would you suggest for a budget of ?250? No need to include any software as I'll be using Linux and Samba.

 

[Sanada]

If it's just to store files and nothing else then why not get a network HDD? It would consume must less power than a computer so you could leave it on 24/7 (if you wanted too) and be much easier to maintain, as well as being a whole lot cheaper.

Here's an example of one:

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/33821...ternal-USB2-0-Network-Hard-Drive/Product.html

I'd only bother with a real server if you'll use it for more than storing files.

 

[AtomicSpark]

Yes a NAS (Network Attached Storage) would suit you better. You can also put Linux on a few of them if you do a little firmware editing.

Or just use an old computer.

 

[-Psy-]

Yes a NAS (Network Attached Storage) would suit you better. You can also put Linux on a few of them if you do a little firmware editing.

Interesting. What kind of functionality would I get out of it with Linux firmware?