Acer Revo R3600 as Server

[NumberFive]

Hi,

I'm considering buying an Acer Revo R3600 as a Christmas toy and using it as a replacement server for my faithful P4. Attracted mainly by the low power consumption, since I leave the server on 24/7.

I've read a lot about this unit as a client, but is any experienced using it as a server? Any pitfalls that don't seem obvious?

Thanks

[ilovejedd]

Do you guys have the Dell Inspiron Zino HD available? I think it'll be a better fit for use as a server. Just now, I received a mailer from Dell putting the price of the Zino at US$199 (Athlon 2850e, ATI HD3200, 2GB RAM, 250GB 3.5" HDD). Power consumption was around 29W idle, IIRC.

The strength of the Revo is the integrated graphics. For a headless server, it's kinda useless.

[sub]

Both of those sound pretty nice to me. I just wish they were fanless. I'm itching to replace a P4 2.8GHz machine which is fanless, and I'm quite attached to the absolute silence...

[NumberFive]

Just took a look at Dell UK / Ireland and the Zino HD with integrated graphics is £299 / €329 !!! That flyer you have sounds like a bargain.

I'm thinking more of a headed server, on the main TV in the living room, hence why Ion chipset seems attractive.

[pBS]

the Revo has a mini pcie slot in it, so could actually host a capture card..
there are a few decently priced ones available, even duals..
[or a nice place to stick an ssd]

tho i see the Zino does too..and for 75$ extra get a HD4330 upgrade..
but i see the Zino isn't fanless...

[sub]

but i see the Zino isn't fanless...

I dont think the revo is either?

[pBS]

hmmm, can't find anything definiteive on that, tho i don't see how you could squeeze anything but a 30mm one in anywhere, considering it's width..[and lack of holes for one]
i stand Corrected, blower wheel fan inside like laptop
i thought it uses heat's convection upwards to make the air flow, hence the vertical stance..
that's really the only way to be fanless and cool..use the heat against itself..
using a nmt vertically makes it not need any extras to be cool to the touch..

but i do like the dell's cpu power and expandability...
[maybe more video upgrades in future?]
tho i think it's just a mainboard change to a 785 chip..

to more directly answer the OP question, they're both limited in internal storage, an external esata drive would be speedy addition for a server..
[usb can be a bit slow for multiuser]

but the faster dell cpu would actually help the disk transfers..and i know it's hd3200 can play blurays with cyberlink..
[and the video upgrade to 785 chip should offer full featured playback of just about anything]

[ilovejedd]

It's not actually a 785G chipset. It's a discrete MXM HD4330 card, same as used in laptops, I think. Also, the Revo only supports 2.5" drives. The Zino takes 3.5" drives making it more ideal for use as a DVR.

Right now, I'm actually using an ION-based HTPC (Zotac IONITX-D-E) and it works pretty darned well. Alas, I'm using it with Windows 7 Media Center instead of GB-PVR.

[herbs]

The first poster is in the uk you might want to try the revo 3610 if you have spare windows license as it has the atom 330 instead of the 230 and can be had for £160 if you can live with linux. hotukdeals have a big thread on it.

[psycik]

Wonder if something like an HP Mini 311 would work - not so much for a server, but for playback..