Author Topic: Should I get this server? (Read 2300 times)

NaRu · « **on:** January 31, 2010, 03:28:44 AM »

Its an HP server (Dual Xeon processor (P4 base) 2.0Ghz) 4gigs of ECC DDR 800 ram (no harddrives)

Its in a server case that fits into a 2u Rack...for $200.

If I do get it im thinking about using Windows Server 2008 R2

Mag-X · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2010, 03:39:08 AM »

I'd do it.

bcr123 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2010, 03:42:33 AM »

My vote is no. Rackmount cases without a rack are just a pain in the ass to deal with, and it most likely is going to require expensive SCSI drives. Rack mount servers aren't engineered to be quiet so be prepared to live with the noise of multiple small high-rpm fans.

NaRu · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2010, 05:09:52 AM »

Its so going in the basement

fohfoh · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2010, 05:29:20 AM »

For the price, it looks great. For practicality's sake... hard to tell.

Fak3d · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2010, 05:55:41 AM »

Its a okay price, Make sure to get the hard disk caddies with it. Also 2u is more expensive to co-locate but you don't have to worry about that. It will have loud fans and imho hp servers look ugly but then again you arn't buying it for looks. The real question here is do you really need it. For me the processors seem a little on the low side for that price but the ecc ddr ram makes up for it i guess.

Mag-X · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2010, 05:58:22 AM »

Quote from: bcr123 on January 31, 2010, 03:42:33 AM

Rackmount cases without a rack are just a pain in the ass to deal with

http://lackrack.org/

fohfoh · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2010, 08:13:34 AM »

Quote from: Mag-X on January 31, 2010, 05:58:22 AM

Quote from: bcr123 on January 31, 2010, 03:42:33 AM
Rackmount cases without a rack are just a pain in the ass to deal with

http://lackrack.org/

Bitch yo comment got owned!

NaRu · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2010, 08:27:31 AM »

Quote from: Mag-X on January 31, 2010, 05:58:22 AM

Quote from: bcr123 on January 31, 2010, 03:42:33 AM
Rackmount cases without a rack are just a pain in the ass to deal with

http://lackrack.org/

awesome. Might look into that

NaRu · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2010, 08:31:25 AM »

I sent this the guy an email about the HDD. He said he will throw in 6x 36gigs 10K RPM drive for $100 more..This includes the raid card. (So worth it now)

fohfoh · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2010, 11:06:45 AM »

Quote from: NaRu on January 31, 2010, 08:31:25 AM

I sent this the guy an email about the HDD. He said he will throw in 6x 36gigs 10K RPM drive for $100 more..This includes the raid card. (So worth it now)

Either this guy is on crack, or he stole that shit.

Like... wtf?

Xiong Chiamiov · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2010, 11:11:25 AM »

Without knowing what you're going to use it for, and more specs, it's impossible to say if it would be a good idea for you to buy it.

Just going out on a limb - if you didn't think that detailed specs were an important part of the decision process, and you're planning on putting Windows on it, I'd guess that $300 of server would be a waste to you at this point in time.

NaRu · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2010, 05:11:14 PM »

Quote from: Xiong Chiamiov on January 31, 2010, 11:11:25 AM

Without knowing what you're going to use it for, and more specs, it's impossible to say if it would be a good idea for you to buy it.

Just going out on a limb - if you didn't think that detailed specs were an important part of the decision process, and you're planning on putting Windows on it, I'd guess that $300 of server would be a waste to you at this point in time.

I want to run 3 quake servers for my clan. Perhaps host a left 4 dead 2 server for the fun of it.

bork · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:12:50 PM »

Problems with a server class machine.
- video, just a basic video. Not much room to put a better video in it if you need better video performance.
- What OS you going to run? Depending on what it is, you will not be able to utilize the processor(s) effectively.
- Disk controller? SCSI, SATA, SATAe ... SCSI disks are smaller than the SATA disks currently and are more expensive. With SATAe, you will need some additional parts before you can hook up your disks.
- NOISE, little screaming fans.
- Cost of running it. Depending on what it is, it could be not very power efficient and will result in a higher power bill.
- Expansion slots? nope - not here.

Xeons may seem to be P4's but the only similarity is that they run the same instruction set. Their pipeline structure and cache is very extensive compared to a desktop P4. The transistor count is about 4x more, more power.

At one time I had a match set of 4 Xeon processors and I did a pass on trying to use them for a machine.

ASAFan · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:21:18 PM »

With RAID-5, you're not getting 216GB space. You lose at least the equivalent of 1 drive for the RAID-5 array, so you're paying $100 for under 180GB. That's not a good deal.

Plus, you mentioned Windows 2008 R2. First, you need to see if those are 64-bit processors. If they are, you'll need to get the 64-bit version of Windows 2008, or it'll run like crap. Have you checked the prices of WIndows 2008 R2? Make sure you can afford it.

As others have said, rack servers are for server usage. You can't do a lot of non-server activity on it, so don't look to this to replace whatever PC you use personally.

Lupin · « **Reply #15 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:23:28 PM »

I don't think the OP is looking to replace his current machine with this server.

He just mentioned this before:

Quote from: NaRu on January 31, 2010, 05:11:14 PM

I want to run 3 quake servers for my clan. Perhaps host a left 4 dead 2 server for the fun of it.

Fak3d · « **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:45:46 PM »

Quote from: bork on January 31, 2010, 06:12:50 PM

- video, just a basic video. Not much room to put a better video in it if you need better video performance.

I'm not sure why you would want a good video card in a server its not a desktop. Also remember scsi drivers are more expensive generally.

Windows is not something i would use for a game server though it is possible and easier. The server should in theory run the 3
quake servers and l4d fine (depending on how many slots you are using) as with those game servers the cpu goes up when
there are ppl connected to the server. The problem you will face mostly is your internet connection, mainly your upload.

dogsinafen · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2010, 08:04:37 PM »

Quote from: bcr123 on January 31, 2010, 03:42:33 AM

My vote is no. Rackmount cases without a rack are just a pain in the ass to deal with, and it most likely is going to require expensive SCSI drives. Rack mount servers aren't engineered to be quiet so be prepared to live with the noise of multiple small high-rpm fans.

It's not so bad having rack mountable servers without a rack, you just leave it on the ground... What's is a pain in the ass is when have a rack but the server did not come with rails, now that sucks.
You can get decent size SCSI drives off of ebay for cheap (I ignore the fact if they work or not).
Some servers are quite but that all depends what type of case it is. If it's a 1U or 2U they are just loud as... 3U and 4U tend to be more quiet.

Like I said in the other forum NaRu, I would try to make the person sell it for cheaper. I got a similar server that you are looking at buying with SCSI drives and a SCSI card for free... So try to get it for less.

NaRu · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2010, 09:44:57 PM »

Quote from: bork on January 31, 2010, 06:12:50 PM

Problems with a server class machine.
- video, just a basic video. Not much room to put a better video in it if you need better video performance.
- What OS you going to run? Depending on what it is, you will not be able to utilize the processor(s) effectively.
- Disk controller? SCSI, SATA, SATAe ... SCSI disks are smaller than the SATA disks currently and are more expensive. With SATAe, you will need some additional parts before you can hook up your disks.
- NOISE, little screaming fans.
- Cost of running it. Depending on what it is, it could be not very power efficient and will result in a higher power bill.
- Expansion slots? nope - not here.

Xeons may seem to be P4's but the only similarity is that they run the same instruction set. Their pipeline structure and cache is very extensive compared to a desktop P4. The transistor count is about 4x more, more power.

At one time I had a match set of 4 Xeon processors and I did a pass on trying to use them for a machine.

I wont be using it for video at all.

It will be running Windows Server 2008

it will have 6x36gigs drives in a Raid (dont know what kind of raid atm but I could change that)

Its going to be in the basement

I don't pay the bill

No need

Quote from: Fak3d on January 31, 2010, 06:45:46 PM

Quote from: bork on January 31, 2010, 06:12:50 PM
- video, just a basic video. Not much room to put a better video in it if you need better video performance.
I'm not sure why you would want a good video card in a server its not a desktop. Also remember scsi drivers are more expensive generally.

Windows is not something i would use for a game server though it is possible and easier. The server should in theory run the 3
quake servers and l4d fine (depending on how many slots you are using) as with those game servers the cpu goes up when
there are ppl connected to the server. The problem you will face mostly is your internet connection, mainly your upload.

Its going to be a private game server for my clan only (only 10 people for quake and 4 people in Left 4 Dead 2). Plus I will be getting 50Mbps down 10Mbps up internet in the spring time (finally got an answer from comcrap)

Fak3d · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2010, 08:17:36 AM »

The most stressful thing on that server will be l4d i really don't see a problem with the setup
though like id rather see for that price a dual 2.4-2.6ghz processor not a 2.0ghz processor.
Also you should be okay with quake as well assuming you will have 10Mbps up you
really should not see a problem with 14 people on it although to be honest i have no
idea how much bandwidth quake uses per slot.