Setup or $$$ Buy Server ?

[SinisterVengeance]

Well , First off I have attempted to setup my own server years ago but I didn't know the first thing about it , Still don't really . Although I do have a little bit of experience using XAMP Localhost & Navicat , But I'm not really sure if they are even relevant to a server setup .. I have researched countless guides on setting one up but I don't know what all the programs are to set one up successfully .

So If anyone could give me an in depth step by step guide on setting one up I'd be grateful , Or I can fork out some cash for a "Plug & Play" If anyone has one they would like to sell then I'm your guy . But don't get me wrong , I'm not a little rich kid , I'm an adult working part time lol . Honestly I'd rather gain the experience setting my own up but either works for now .

And I'm running Windows 8.1 and rather not use a VM .

The little things I have collected are Omegafiles , DataSafTool , MLX Files if any of that helps . & I'm sorry if this is in the wrong thread .