My main server died last night, about a month before my planned replacement of it, so I need a quick replacement that I can later upgrade as I get the rest of the funding for it.
Budget: ~1000 USD (less is better of course)
I'm a programmer, this is to be a server (headless) that my app demos will run off of, nothing major.
Upgrade path: My intention was to remove the old computer and replace with two energy efficient machines. One for freeNAS (media storage and backups), and one for VMWare ESXi. Due to above mentioned complete death, I need something for inbetween. In about a month I should have enough to complete the original plan, so I'll just wipe and rebuild this as a VM.
This build will (probably) become the ESXi machine.
Parts required: Energy efficient anything. On board graphics is fine, or cheap graphics card (for current and future use will be headless). Only major requirement is largest HD possible, was thinking about the 2TB WD Caviar Green (think that was the one), HD will move to the freeNAS box (along with other drives) later.
I can reuse the case from the old machine for now, other than that it's all crap.
No need for a monitor, already have one and after install it will go headless. Minimal graphics required obviously, on board is more than enough.
I live in South Korea, about 20 minutes from one of the largest electronics markets so I can normally find just about anything. Finding extremely specific parts can end with me spending far more than they are worth, so if you can suggest an alternate or two that would be appreciated.