I know little about putting a server together and would like help on
placing one together that is fast. I currently use CIHOST.com and am
using server plan 1 udenr unix. Here is what I was looking at and
wanted suggestions on what I need and do not need and why. Then I want
an estiamted cost for the server, spending as little as possible --

Dual Intel Pentium 4 Xeon Processors 2.4GHz with HT Technology  Learn More 
533MHz Front Side Bus 
1GB PC2100 DDR ECC Registered Memory  Learn More 

Plus Two (2) 120GB? 7200RPM Hard Drives with 8 MB Cache

SATA 150 RAID Controller 

52X CD-ROM Drive

3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive

ATI Rage XL with 8MB 

(2)Intel 82451 Gigabit Ethernet Controllers

CybertronPC E9200 2U Rackmount Chassis w/ 300-Watt P4 Power Supply




Dual Intel Pentium 4 Xeon Processors 2.4GHz, plus an 80GB Hard Drive
in an Efficient 2U Form Factor!

If high-performance and space constraints are just as important to you
as your budget, rely on the CybertronPC 2U Server as you grow your
e-Business. Engineered for quick, high-volume deployment and no-fuss
operation, the space-saving CybertronPC 2U Rackmountable Server
features industry-leading hardware components built on superior
motherboards?enabling the seamless compatibility with operating
systems you need to run a successful data center.

Specifications:

Dual Intel Pentium 4 Xeon Processors 2.4GHz with HT Technology  Learn More 
533MHz Front Side Bus 
1GB PC2100 DDR ECC Registered Memory  Learn More 

Plus Two (2) 120GB? 7200RPM Hard Drives with 8 MB Cache

SATA 150 RAID Controller 

52X CD-ROM Drive

3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive

ATI Rage XL with 8MB 

(2)Intel 82451 Gigabit Ethernet Controllers

CybertronPC E9200 2U Rackmount Chassis w/ 300-Watt P4 Power Supply

Operating System Sold Separately 
Additional Specifications:

Chassis
19.0"(W) x 22.7"(D) x 1.72"(H) 
300W Mini-redundant Power Supply 
Motherboard
Supermicro X5DPA-GG Mainboard
Supports up to two Dual Intel Xeon With 512K Cache up to 3.06GHZ
400 MHz / 533 MHz Front Side Bus
(4) 184pin DIMMS Supports ECC/Registered DDR266/200 up to 8GB(pair) 
Expansion
Riser Card Supports 2 PCI Cards 
2 PCI Slots (1 available)

Drive Bays 
3.5" x 1 (External)
3.5" x 3 (Internal)
5.25" x 1 (External) 
External Ports
2 PS/2
1 Serial
VGA Video
2 RJ-45 (Ethernet) 


Saw this at: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=35819&Sku=C122-2334

Please explain what you would like to do with a fast server?
File? Print? Webhost? Email? DNS? Terminal Services?

What operating system do you wish to run? 
What's your budget? 
How many users? 
What type (and sizes?) of content do you wish to store on the machine? 
Why do you think/feel you need "fast"? 
What kind of network connection will you have? 
What's your current network infrastructure?
Is this going to be on the Internet?
Is it going to be behind a firewall or directly connected?
How fast is your Internet connection going to be?
How many simultaneous Internet Users are you expecting to hit your
server? a few? hundreds? thousands? ten thousands?

If these are too many questions, then just get what you can afford.
However, if your experience with servers is slim to none, I'd strongly
suggest a Dell or HP SERVER rather than an off brand, and buy both
hardware and software support in addition. Reliability is key over
speed and price with servers.

It's your buck, though. I don't know how a $5 answer is going to help
you make a decent enough decision. Some people make do with a server
that is the worst of their machines because it has always "just run
forever" while they've upgraded their workstations.

$50 would be good ;)

Seriously, though, the above is sound advice. Go with one of the big
boys. Note that 533 MHz FSB is old hat, it's 800 MHz now. Get familiar
with the technology before you speak to any sales staff - it will put
you in a stronger position:
http://www.bestpricecomputers.ltd.uk/guides/dual_xeon.htm