An inexpensive web/file server: Apple Power Mac G5

[MakeItJungle]

I'm thinking of using my old G5 for a web server for a couple of my sites as well as a file server like you've mentioned. I was considering Ubuntu, but I don't know if they still support powerpc. What OS are you using?

[heartsglory]

I just bought a Powermac G5 Dual 1.8 for $150 free shipping. I am excited and can't wait!

[96komodo]

could u upgrade the harddrive since its has a sata harddrive in it already because i might buy a 500gb harddrive with this

[honam1021]

I am looking to a Power Mac G5 to update my Minecraft server!

[chrismacguy]

First a Comment/Note: As far as extra internal HDDs inside the G5, don't do it. If you put HDDs there you will experience massive cooling/thermal issues - Its a lot better just to chuck in 2 2TB HDDs and use those and/or use external drives.

Secondly, a Question: How do you think your G5 would cope with Video Webcast Archiving, since Im sick of clogging up my Mac Pro with that stuff Im debating adding a G5 to archive live webcasts and just sit around as a dumping ground.

Chris :)

[backstageblues]

@chrismacguy Products like the G5 Jive solve that problem, but their price compared to how much a G5 costs anymore simply isn't worth it. The G5's only worth it if you need it. I needed a dedicated web server but also needed some more storage space and had extra SATA HDDs laying around. After some speed tests, I found that SATA drives over a FW800 connection out of this box are slightly faster than USB 2.0 externals.

[chrismacguy]

@backstageblues - Hmmm... Id still say that product has the potential to mess up the Airflow and increase the noise levels dramatically. (Just as I run all my machines in a Qmaster Cluster for rendering and I even manage to make my Mac Pros fans spin up under full load). The main reason I want a G5 is to sit in a corner archiving digital video, as that currently gives me a performance hit on my Mac Pro I just don't need, and my Core Duo iMac doesn't have enough RAM to do it reliably.

Chris :)

[SuperTonyglover]

@backstageblues did anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Mitchell Russo?

[x64Exploit]

I envy your G5, I bought a dual 2.5GHz model a while back - bastard DHL delivery man dropped it and did a runner. Still trying to raise the money for a replacement PSU.

[raideronline]

I'm doing the same thing with my single G5 Power Mac =)

[thecomp101]

also, does the graphics card really make a difference when using the g5 as a server?

[x64Exploit]

@thecomp101 No it makes no difference. Most servers are run headless (ie. without a monitor) and therefore the graphics card is completely obsolete. Top-of-the-line servers today still use a RageXL graphics chip from years and years ago, simply because it is extremely cheap and is sufficient to run a monitor...

[thecomp101]

im thinking about buying one off craigslist myself, for a home media/file server. any chance you could make a video on how you set this up and also if you use vnc instead of having a dedicated screen to the gn, how to did that.