Haven’t done any geek writing in a while, so it’s time to share my latest tech project. It’s the Dell PowerEdge 400SC server. It’s a not-so-well-kept secret that this affordable server, from Dell’s Business Systems Division, can quite easily be adapted for use as a high-performance desktop as well.
For many years, I have received much better value and satisfaction assembling my own home computers from variously obtained parts. I got exactly what I wanted– no more, no less– and didn’t have to suffer pre-installed bloatware and limited upgrade paths.
Back in those days, a name brand computer most likely meant proprietary motherboards with built-in peripheral components like video and sound that left much to be desired. Not to be unexpected were even proprietary versions of operating system software, too. Names like Packard Bell and Compaq Presario come to mind.
These days, however, home computer technology is sufficiently advanced that even the most basic onboard peripherals are perfectly acceptable for most users, unless they are involved in high-end gaming, or computer graphic or design work.
The PowerEdge 400SC can be had with a Celeron 2GHz processor, 40GB hard drive, 128MB of SDRAM, and a 48x CD-ROM for as little as $274 if you catch the right promotional deal. At this price point, and with an included one-year on-site warranty, there’s no reason to consider building your own system any more.
Even better value can be had by upgrading to at least the Pentium 4 2.4GHz processor, as it supports higher-speed DDR400 memory, and also Intel hyperthreading technology which allows the machine to operate– under certain conditions– as if it has two processors installed. Additional memory is recommended, and is required to run the system in a higher-performance dual-channel mode. Mine is a 2.4GHz, and has a minimum 256MB of DDR400 configured for dual channel.
As it is a sold as a business server, the 400SC comes with little in the way of software– none, in fact. The user must supply an operating system, and also drivers for the installed and onboard peripherals. The typical home user will install a copy of Windows XP Home Edition, or, preferably, the Professional Edition. (Actual business users would be likely to employ a Windows Server OS, or a Linux-based solution.)
Drivers may be obtained from– where applicable– Dell’s or Intel’s websites, the video card manufacturer, or from a web forum dedicated to afficionados of this machine.
Of further interest is the heritage of the 400SC. It’s mainboard is produced by Intel for Dell, and is essentially the same as the one found in Dell’s higher-end Dimension and OptiPlex models– models which sell for hundreds of dollars more.
In fact, if you peek through the holes in the 400SC’s front panel, you will see the front USB ports and headphone jack found on the aforementioned premium desktop models. Apparently, it would cost Dell more to have the server model produced differently without the front panel components, so they leave them in, just covered and inaccessible. The USB ports are actually connected and functional, not that you’d probably need them– there are six more on the back panel, all high-speed USB 2.0. And the headphone jack could even be activated by purchasing a $5 cable.
Two other vestiges of the higher-end desktop models include– neither officially supported by Dell– an 8X AGP video slot and onboard sound.
Other plusses include virtually silent operation, a tool-less case and a Gigabit ethernet NIC.
Update: Time marches on, and, sadly, the 400SC has been discontinued as of November 2004. Afficionados are attempting to embrace other models that have replaced it, but have not as yet equalled the 400SC for ease of adaptation to desktop use.