Building Your Own Server

If you've been thinking about getting a home-use, entry-level server, you should consider building your own instead of buying one pre-made. Building your own server will save you a lot of money and teach you more about the inner-workings of your server. Let's take a closer look at the advantages of building your own entry-level server.
You Will Save Money
Building a server is much cheaper than buying a pre-made server. Why? Because when you build your own server, you are able to pick which components you put inside of it. This gives you the option of putting refurbished parts inside of the machine. Choosing refurbished components is always a smart idea. Refurbished parts perform at factory standards and are much cheaper than brand new, name-brand parts. Plus, refurbished components each come with their own individual warranties. This means that if one component were to fail for whatever reason, you can send it back and get a replacement without having to buy a completely new server.
Building your own server also allows you to make sure that all of the parts inside of the machine are of high quality. Big box computer retailers don't always use high quality parts in their pre-made computers, believe it or not. They do this for a number of reasons, one being that the part will inevitably fail and you'll have to go through that company again to purchase a replacement part.
You Will Learn
Even if you are already familiar with the inner-workings of computers and how servers work, building your own will still present you with the opportunity to learn. You will learn about each and every part inside your computer. You will know where it goes, what it does, and how it does it. Along with that, you'll know exactly what to do if something were to go wrong with one of its components.
What You Should Think About
Before you start the process of building your own server, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Think about what you're going to need the server for. This will save you from paying for features you might not ever need to use. When you start looking at components to put inside your server, you should make sure to purchase parts that will work together. Find components that are compatible. That will take a lot of the headache out of building your server. You should also remember to think ahead. Buy components that will allow for future expansion. Parts that can be expanded in the future will allow you to use your server for years to come, saving you from having to buy a new server or components for it every couple of years.
Alternate Option
Not only is building your own server a smart idea, it will be a lot of fun, too. However, if you really don't feel up to the challenge, and just want a nice, inexpensive entry-level server that is ready to go, you should consider the IBM eServer xSeries 335. This rack-optimized server is easy to use, powerful, and reliable. It offers a generous amount of storage space for your data and applications, and it is easy to manage and maintain as well. If you need just a basic, pre-made, entry-level server, I'd say sticking to the xSeries 335 is a good option.