- 9.20/10 1. Premium pick: CyberPower OR2200LCDRT2U UPS
- 8.60/10 2. Editors choice: Sysracks Server Rack
- 9.40/10 3. Best value: DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable
- 9.60/10 4. Seagate Exos X14
- 8.80/10 5. AC Infinity CLOUDPLATE T6
- 9.20/10 6. Supermicro Motherboard MBD-X11SSM-F-B Xeon E3
- 9.00/10 7. Tupavco Network Cabinet Fan
- 8.00/10 8. iStarUSA D Value D-118V2-ITX 1U Rackmount
- 8.80/10 9. Chenbro Rackmount 4U Server Chassis
- 9.60/10 10. NavePoint 1U Rack Mount Cable Management Panel
Buying a new server can be extremely expensive, especially when you need multiple servers. Thankfully you can save money by building your own servers and choosing what parts to invest in.
From server racks to RAM, there are plenty of parts to consider. But, it's not always the physical hardware that completes a DIY server. Fans, cables and even network switches might be important, depending on what your plans are with your server setup.
Here are the best parts to build your own server available today.
The CyberPower OR2200LCDRT2U UPS is an essential purchase for anyone looking to build a server and not wanting to face any downtime. With just under 15 minutes of additional power during a power outage at half load, this is a must-have for those that need to ensure their servers remain powered at all times.
With a built-in LCD screen to help you monitor battery life and any other issues that might cause downtime, the CyberPower OR2200LCDRT2U UPS throws you a lifeline in situations that could normally be devastating. The screen can also be rotated, giving you the perfect viewing angle no matter how you fit it into your rack.
Automatic voltage regulation (AVR) corrects any power fluctuations automatically, saving the need to switch to battery power, which in turn protects and extends the life of the battery.
- Battery backup and surge protection
- Multifunctional LCD screen
- Automatic voltage regulation
- Brand: CyberPower
- Color: Black
- Weight: 52.7lbs
- Dimensions: 17.25 x 15.75 x 3.5-inches
- Power Supply: Mains
- Power: 1320W
- Helpful LCD screen
- Includes mounting hardware
- Optional remote management card available
- Cannot extend battery capacity
The Sysracks Server Rack is a must-have rack for those looking to safely house multiple servers. With a total of 18U shelves, there's plenty of space to house up to 18 servers in this spacious rack. You can even upgrade to the massive 22U rack to hold even more servers if needed.
Thanks to the Sysracks Server Rack built-in wheel, moving the server around couldn't be easier. But, if you do want to mount it, you can do this too since it's wall mountable.
The lockable glass door makes it easy to ensure no one touches your servers without the key, giving you peace of mind. The Sysracks Server Rack comes with an eight outlet rack mount power distribution unit, with built-in surge protection for an added layer of protection.
- Lockable server cabinet door
- Surge protector
- Built-in wheels
- Cooling fan
- Brand: Sysracks
- Color: Black, Red
- Weight: 75lbs
- Capacity: 18U
- Lockable door
- Sturdy and stylish design
- Easy to assemble
- No mounting template included for wall mounting
The DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable is about as tough as they come. It's waterproof thanks to its upgrade PVC and features anti-corrosion properties, and is designed with four shielded foiled twisted pair and single-strand OFC wires. This Ethernet cable is capable of supporting bandwidths of up to 2000MHz and data transfers of up to 40Gbps, perfect for a server.
Available in a range of sizes, the DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable ranges from three feet up to 150 feet in length. This is plenty for building your own server, offering lots of versatility where it's needed.
- Available in multiple sizes from 3ft to 150ft
- Double shielded
- UV-resistant PVC jacket
- Brand: DbillionDa
- Length: 6ft
- Cable Type: Ethernet
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Category: Cat 8
- Speed: 40Gbps
- Color: Black
- Affordable
- Durable
- Offers high performance
- None at this price
4. Seagate Exos X14
Priced reasonably, the Seagate Exos X14 packs a whopping 10TB storage in 3.5-inch HDD form. But, the reason why this hard drive is best for building your own server is thanks to its features. For example, it boasts enhanced caching, making it ideal for large data applications. It also features a helium sealed-drive design, protecting it from potential helium leaks.
Inside the Seagate Exos X14, there are digital environmental sensors that measure internal pressure. This ensures high reliability, performance, and of course, the highest quality.
Simply slot the Seagate Exos X14 into your server and enjoy affordable storage that's of high quality and offers exceptional performance.
- PowerBalance feature
- Enhanced caching
- Helium sealed design
- Brand: Seagate
- Capacity: 10TB
- Power: N/A
- Connection: SAS
- Portable: No
- Plenty of storage
- Durable
- Fast
- An expensive initial investment
5. AC Infinity CLOUDPLATE T6
The AC Infinity CLOUDPLATE T6 is packed full of features to ensure your server (or audio equipment if you like) doesn't get too hot. Controlled by a PWM motor, the AC Infinity CLOUDPLATE T6 has been designed to run quietly, reducing drag and maximizing airflow at the same time.
With completely programmable as well as automated fan speeds, it's easier than ever to find the right settings for your equipment. This ensures your server remains cool, increasing the overall life of your hardware.
As with all hardware, at times things can go wrong, including fans failing. That's why the AC Infinity CLOUDPLATE T6 also features a smart alert system that lets you know of any issues so you can resolve them before they become something bigger.
- 40 to 180 CFM airflow
- LCD screen
- Ultra-quiet cooling
- Brand: AC Infinity
- Color: Black
- Weight: 3lbs
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 19 x 1.75-inches
- Power: 240V
- Materials: Aluminum
- Compatible with: 19-inch rack (1U)
- Easy to setup
- Fan failure alerts
- Quiet operation
- Expensive price for fans
The Supermicro Motherboard MBD-X11SSM-F-B Xeon E3 is a mid-range motherboard, capable of creating a powerful Xeon E3-powered server at a reasonable price.
With a whopping eight SATA ports, the Supermicro Motherboard MBD-X11SSM-F-B is capable of running up to eight hard drives, making it ideal for those that need tons of storage space on their new server.
Thanks to the smaller MicroATX form, the Supermicro Motherboard MBD-X11SSM-F-B Xeon E3 will fit most cases, without making any sacrifices. Featuring four DDR4 DIMM slots, you can add up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM running at a maximum speed of up to 2133Mhz.
- 1x PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot
- Two Intel I210-AT Gigabit ethernet controllers
- DDR4 2133Mhz RAM DIMM slots (Max 64GB)
- Eight SATA3 ports
- Brand: Supermicro
- CPU Included: No
- Integrated Graphics: VGA
- Memory Slots: 4
- Memory Type: DDR4
- Form Factor: MicroATX
- Wi-Fi: No
- USB Ports: 6
- RBG Support: No
- M.2 NVMe Connector: No
- CPU Support: LGA 1151
- Plenty of SATA ports
- RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support
- Great value for money
- Not compatible with Xeon Gold processors
7. Tupavco Network Cabinet Fan
To keep your server cool, you'll need a decent fan. The Tupavco Network Cabinet Fan fits all standard 19-inch network cabinets and produces 95/110CFM airflow. The dual fans are capable of spinning between 2600 and 3000 RPM, running at an average of 42dB. This keeps your server cool and quiet.
The Tupavco Network Cabinet Fan features metal fan finger guards which provide a physical barrier between the blades and your fingers. It's not a necessary addition, but it's certainly a nice touch.
To mount the fans, you can either use the included self-tapping screws or use silicone rubber screws which tend to be quicker. Both come with the Tupavco Network Cabinet Fan, so you can choose how you wish to mount them. To add the cherry on top, the fans come with a 6.2-foot power cord making it incredibly versatile, and allowing you to install it wherever you like in your rack.
- 40dB noise level
- Air cooling method
- Fits standard 19-inch network cabinets
- 2600-3000 RPM
- Brand: Tupavco
- Material: Silicone, Rubber, Metal, Steel
- Dimensions: 4 x 5 x 4-inches
- Weight : 2lbs
- Air Flow Capacity: 95-100
- Speeds : 3000RPM
- Powerful and quiet cooling
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- None at this price
The iStarUSA D Value D-118V2-ITX 1U Rackmount is perfect for those looking to build a server on a budget. Although it only has space for one 3.5-inch hard drive, which might be an issue for someone looking to run multiple drives in RAID.
Compatible with Mini-ITX, the iStarUSA D Value D-118V2-ITX 1U Rackmount is a compact server chassis, designed to be fitted with a 1U flex power supply, while leaving room at the front for ventilation.
The front of the chassis includes two USB ports, as well as easily accessible power and reset buttons. Again, owing to the fact this is a budget chassis, two USB ports might not be enough for some.
- Two front access USB
- Mini-ITX motherboard support
- Supports 1U flex power supplies
- Brand: iStarUSA
- Motherboard Size (Max.): Mini-ITX
- 3.5" Drive Slots: 1
- RGB Lighting: No
- Viewing Window: No
- Solid build quality
- Includes all mounting screws
- Only fits one 3.5-inch drive
The Chenbro Rackmount 4U Server Chassis is a great choice for those looking for a more spacious chassis with plenty of room to work with. With room for four 3.5-inch drives, the Chenbro Rackmount 4U Server Chassis has plenty of room for storage.
Being a larger chassis, the Chenbro Rackmount 4U Server Chassis has room to fit an ATX motherboard, and will even accommodate some EATX motherboards up to 12-inch by 10.5-inch. It also supports Intel and AMD processors for good measure.
The front of the chassis features room for one cooling fan, as well as having two USB ports. Although, for a chassis of this price and size, a few more USB ports would be nice.
- Supports Intel and AMD processors
- 7 expansion slots
- 120x25mm front fan included
- Brand: Chenbro
- Material: SGCC Sheet Metal, ABS-HB Plastic Material
- Motherboard Size (Max.): 12 x 10.5-inch
- 3.5" Drive Slots: 4
- RGB Lighting: No
- Viewing Window: No
- Value for money
- Room for plenty of hard drives
- Not enough USB slots
Easy to install, the NavePoint 1U Rack Mount Cable Management Panel is ideal for keeping your DIY server organized. It keeps all of your cables and wires tidy, away from other components, offering a more professional finish to your server.
To fit the NavePoint 1U Rack Mount Cable Management Panel, you can use the included screws, cage nuts, and washers. There's no need to spend more money on the things you don't need as this cable management panel comes with everything you need.
- TIA/EIA 568-C.2 verified
- All mounting hardware included
- Brand: NavePoint
- Color: Black
- Material: Cold rolled steel
- Weight: 9.6oz
- Dimensions: 20 x 3 x 1 inches
- Affordable
- Easy to use and install
- None at this price
FAQ
Q: How Expensive Is It to Build a Server?
Much like building a normal PC, the cost of building a server is dependent of the parts you choose and how powerful you need your server to be.
While it is possible to pick up older server hardware much cheaper, it can be a much better investment to invest in modern, more reliable hardware.
Q: How Long Does It Take to Build a Server?
How long it takes to build your new server really depends on how complicated the build is. In most cases servers are relatively simple to build, and are not much different from building a normal PC.
In some cases, where additional cooling or hardware is required, the build time might be slightly longer.