(Solved) File Server MB Borked, Where to to Buy Cheap Repair Parts

ArskinF on 16/03/2021 - 09:10
Last edited 16/03/2021 - 14:08 by 1 other user

So the AMD FM2 MOBO on a file server I put together in 2013 emptied its bowels overnight. After a bit of trial and error I reckon either the CPU or MOBO has gone. The 8G of DDR3 seems OK. The file server runs 6 high capacity HDDs, using Linux.

I started looking around for replacement MOBO/ CPUS & RAM this morning. I'm staggered at what this stuff costs these days and most of it seems to be aimed at gamers.

Where should I be looking for basic replacements adequate to run a file server if I don't want to sell out first born?

Thanks

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  rldowling03 on 16/03/2021 - 09:20

  Motherboard wont affect performance in any meaningful way unless you're going to overclock a bunch, so just get the cheapest with the amount of SATA ports and other ports you need I'd say. That's generally what I do when it comes to building out a home server.

  If it's strictly just a file server, a cheap mobo, cheap 2 stick ram kit and a amd cpu from a couple generations ago won't let you down assuming it's just a file server, which should be on the cheap as well.

  If you go to any computer stores website, go to AMD cpu's and sort price low to high, the lowest one on the list likely is going to be better than your old cpu from 2013, but yeah going to probably be playing the availability waiting game to find somewhere with things in stock at the moment.

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  ArskinF on 16/03/2021 - 09:31

  Thanks, but I understand that and have been there. I just think $150 plus for a CPU is over the top.

  What I'm asking I suppose, is that the price I should expect to pay for a CPU that's only going to drive an ext4 file server?

  PS: I'm old school. CPUs & MOBOS were much cheaper at the computer fairs in my day. So maybe I just need to suck it up

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    scrimshaw on 16/03/2021 - 09:52

    +2

    You do realize there is a second-hand parts market on Gumtree, Facebook and OCAU.

    CPU's rarely ever fail, the most likely culprit is either your power supply (which can also kill components if they're not reliable) and motherboard.

    FM2 motherboards are kind of ancient and also quite unpopular, even for it's time and Intel was a far superior option in the pre-ryzen days. Finding a used FM2 board might be tricky.

    You may have better luck picking up a used CPU/Mobo combination

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    pharkurnell on 16/03/2021 - 10:21

    +1

    I just think $150 plus for a CPU is over the top.

    I thought thats a bargain, what CPU is it?? First gen I3?

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  AndyC1 on 16/03/2021 - 10:00

  Check out toms hardware guide and lookup the CPU lists for your current CPU and buy an equivalent speed CPU as it will be cheap. Get a compatible motherboard that supports your 6 x HDD interfaces. As for RAM upgrade to 16 GB and the motherboard should support DDR4, which will be faster than the DDR 3 you have.

  Hopefully you have been updating your Linux on a regular basis so it will support the new CPU & motherboard.

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  nedski on 16/03/2021 - 10:30

  +1

  Have a look at Pickles or other places that sell ex government IT. You can pick up stuff there pretty cheap.

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  websterp on 16/03/2021 - 10:54

  If all you are doing is file serving have a look at this one

  I had similar needs and wanted a low power silent server and went with this mobo/cpu combo and had been running for about 1.5 years and hasn't missed a beat. In my case it is built as a 1U rack server running proxmox serving files, home assistant, plex and few other low power VMs. This would be a great solution for you and well within your budget.

  There is also J5040-ITX which is another kit you might want to have a look at.

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    ArskinF on 17/03/2021 - 16:48

    This last one has been going almost 24/7 since mid 2013. Occasional HDD upgrade and I replaced the PS once ($65 when MSY was still doing deals. Let's not mention the after sales service).

    Anyway, I fixed courtesy of my junk box so fingers crossed.