advice for File Server - does ram speed matter?

On Mon, 23 Jun 2003 18:45:13 GMT, "FN"
wrote:

I'm looking at using one of these Gigabyte motherboards in a custom built
file server, for a small business...

http://secure.newegg.com/app/specifi...tem=13-128-166
http://secure.newegg.com/app/specifi...tem=13-128-185

I'll be using Windows 2000 Server. IDE hard drives will be attached via a
separate Promise IDE Raid 5 Card. About 1-2 gb of RAM (feel free to
suggest).

Does RAM speed matter for this type of file server usage? I gather ECC ram
support is good for a server, but I have no idea if I should go with dual
channel DDR 400 or 266? Would the difference be noticeable? The
difference in the motherboard and the ram easily adds a couple hundred
dollars minimum, and I'm wondering if its a waste.

A file server? Multiply the number of network hoses times their best-case
bandwidth and I bet you still won't touch the *disk* bandwidth available,
never mind the memory bandwidth available with the lesser of your choices...

ie: it's likely a waste to spend $$ on premium memory...

/daytripper