View Full Version : Making a Game Server, what CPU should I get?
anwar1337
10-15-07, 12:31 AM
I will be constructing a HIGH end Game server rig with a $2,000 - $2,500 budget. I was looking at pricewatch and found many CPU's that I think would be good. But there was one question I had about the Xeons. Im looking between these 2 CPU's
Xeon X3230 : 2.66QC (1066FSB) $550
Core 2 Quad Q6700 :2.66QC (1066FSB) $539
The question is Both CPU's have the same speed, FSB and cache, so what is the difference between these two? And why should I get one over the other?
I will be running 2 Servers of Counter Strike Source, So I need lotssssssssssss of computing power, I'll probably mildly O/C the chip if the servers arent running good. This server will power my Lan Center during gaming tournaments so its gotta kick ass. Is 2.66ghz x 4 enough computing power for running 2 CS:S servers simultaneously? Also, do you think 4GB of ram will be enough? or should I get 6-8GB
smokie mcpott
10-15-07, 12:38 AM
you could run 2 CSS servers on a dual p3. a game server doesnt require that much power.
if you feel the need to go quad, just go with a q6600 for half the price. why pay twice as much for such a measly gain in proc power(which can EASILY be brought about by a small oc)?
as for the ram, unless you are planning on running 64bit OS, then 4gb is too much since a 32bit OS will only see 3.25gb of it
Metallica
10-15-07, 12:41 AM
I will be constructing a HIGH end Game server rig with a $2,000 - $2,500 budget. I was looking at pricewatch and found many CPU's that I think would be good. But there was one question I had about the Xeons. Im looking between these 2 CPU's
Xeon X3230 : 2.66QC (1066FSB) $550
Core 2 Quad Q6700 :2.66QC (1066FSB) $539
The question is Both CPU's have the same speed, FSB and cache, so what is the difference between these two? And why should I get one over the other?
I will be running 2 Servers of Counter Strike Source, So I need lotssssssssssss of computing power, I'll probably mildly O/C the chip if the servers arent running good. This server will power my Lan Center during gaming tournaments so its gotta kick ass. Is 2.66ghz x 4 enough computing power for running 2 CS:S servers simultaneously? Also, do you think 4GB of ram will be enough? or should I get 6-8GB
Umm .. if I'm not mistaken ... you need like 1/20 of that to run 2 CS servers .. lol
I ran 2 - 3 CS servers on my ****ty comp (was also gaming on it at the same time) for a few months .. the servers performed as good as it gets ..
Only thing holding me back, was my connection ..
Old system specs:
p4 @ 3GHz
1GB RAM
:D
juane414
10-15-07, 12:51 AM
Yea, if you want to host a high end gaming server you'd better have a T1 connection at least.
Don't have an insight on the CPU differences, but be aware that unless you are using a 64 bit version of Windows, your computer probably won't be able to utilize more than 3 GB of RAM.
(bah, I type too slowly--above already mentioned)
anwar1337
10-15-07, 01:06 AM
Its going to be 2 CS SOURCE( NOT 1.6 the crappy gfx one) servers. The server will be for intranet use only, wont be going to the outside world (although the LAN will have a T3 Line coming in!) . I heard that theres a patch you can get so windows see's more than 3GB's, guess Ill just get 4GB. And ill go with the q6600 for the CPU also. Also, I dont need a high high high end graphics card right? Since its going to be a Dedicated Server(that means it runs in the taskbar and basically the CPU does all the processing.)
Your connection is 5x more important than the hardware. Any processor > 1GHz with 512MB RAM can handle a 16 player server. 2GHz /w 1GB RAM using old CPU architecture can do a full blown 64man CSS.
With a Q6600, it would probably easily do 3 64man CSS Servers. Your connection would have to be at least 10MB Upload to handle that though.
anwar1337
10-15-07, 01:10 AM
Alright, damn you guys own, thanks for all the help! :). Anyone got an answer for the GPU question?
Alright, damn you guys own, thanks for all the help! :). Anyone got an answer for the GPU question?
You need whatever graphics card you think is sufficient to run windows etc...
Even onboard will do. The server does no graphics processing whatsoever
Metallica
10-15-07, 01:22 AM
Alright, damn you guys own, thanks for all the help! :). Anyone got an answer for the GPU question?
If your not gonna be doing anything, use onboard :P
Alright, damn you guys own, thanks for all the help! :). Anyone got an answer for the GPU question?
Yep makes no difference. If you want all the performance you can squeeze, use a PCI graphics card so that 8MB onboard graphics card and the tiny extra CPU usage won't be used.
But yes, anything will suffice. Or even none at all! Run it over remote desktop!
Dapper Dan
10-15-07, 01:28 AM
if yer spending 5xx on a cpu for a server get a muther****ing penryn socket 771
if yer spending 5xx on a cpu for a server get a muther****ing penryn socket 771
Off topic, but thats interesting how your laptop does SuperPI 1MB in close to half the time mine does! 39seconds 1.5GHz vs 22seconds 2.2GHz
That's great to know that when I upgrade the processor in the future, it looks like the boost should be quite noticeable. Should get me into the low to mid 4000's on 3dmark2006.
Back on topic: A Penryn socket 771 would be a little overkill unless he is making this business. the Q6600 is still overkill, but would be very powerful.
And yes 4GB will be enough RAM.
Remember to get an amazing network switch - have 1000base connection for the server, and get a good server quality network card.
If you are going to run two servers I would look at getting two network cards and two individual networks. That way they won't compete for bandwidth.
However, if you get a good switch that does automatic bandwidth allocation you don't need to have two networks...
anwar1337
10-15-07, 01:52 AM
Haha whoops, I completely forgot about the ethernet card. But this server is a LAN server, as in the 20 computers on LAN will be using this server,do I still need to get a HIGH end ethernet card? I heard of some gaming ethernet card that reduced latency by like 20%. Would that be enough? I have no idea what ethernet cards are good since Ive never looked into the field lol.
anwar1337
10-15-07, 02:01 AM
We're getting a 6000 series Cisco Router, idk the exact model but this info is from my dad since he ordered the i-net. The NIC Company i was talking about was the Killer NIC by BigFoot but looking at neweggs reviews it seems pretty ****ty and a waste of $180. Anyone have any recommendations? (Is this even needed with an Intranet Game Server?)
Dapper Dan
10-15-07, 02:03 AM
honestly if you're going to spend 500+ $ on a cpu as stated above ..... why wouldn't you get wat you pay for and go a little overkill for not much more with the penryn
We're getting a 6000 series Cisco Router, idk the exact model but this info is from my dad since he ordered the i-net. The NIC Company i was talking about was the Killer NIC by BigFoot but looking at neweggs reviews it seems pretty ****ty and a waste of $180. Anyone have any recommendations? (Is this even needed with an Intranet Game Server?)
Actually if you read reviews on it, it does work to some extent. It's not totally marketing.
We're getting a 6000 series Cisco Router, idk the exact model but this info is from my dad since he ordered the i-net. The NIC Company i was talking about was the Killer NIC by BigFoot but looking at neweggs reviews it seems pretty ****ty and a waste of $180. Anyone have any recommendations? (Is this even needed with an Intranet Game Server?)
It is basically a tiny embedded linux based comuter dedicated to routing network traffic.
If I had the cash I would get it!
These are also good!
number 1 (http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/pro1000pt_server_adapter.htm)
number 2 (http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/pro1000pt_dualport_server_adapter.htm)
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