New Server setup!

SavellM · 12 Dec 2011 at 10:15

So I got my hands on a new Dell R410 Server, specs:
2x Intel Xeon X5650 Processor (2.66GHz, 6C, 12M Cache, 6.40 GT/s QPI, 95W TDP, Turbo, HT), DDR3-1333MHz
32GB Memory for 2CPU (8x4GB Single Rank LV RDIMM) 1066MHz, Using 1333MHz DIMMs
2TB Near Line SAS 6Gbps 7.2k 3.5" HD Hot Plug
Redundant Power Supply (2 PSU) 500W

Im going to put in a nice Ati 6850 GPU, if I can fit it, with power and all.

But my question is, I have Server 2008.
But I would assume this would not be great for gaming.
So I can either install Windows 7, and create a Server 2008 VM?
Or can I create a VM in 2008 for Win7 that wont affect gaming performance too much?

Does that make sense?
I want best gaming performance, but would like 2008 as my base, as I want to create VM's for other things im going to be working on.
I can use Win7 as my base for gaming, and create vm's for 2008 and other stuff. Just wondering what is best.

Or is there another program or OS that would be better for this as the base?
What about dual booting on a server?

PieMaster · 12 Dec 2011 at 10:22

Why are you planning on using a rack server as a gaming system? Selling it and buying desktop components should get you far better performance give that spec doesn't really match what you need for desktop tasks.

SavellM · 12 Dec 2011 at 10:34

Because I got given it.
2ndly, as I cannot sell it for the next 2 years, part of work giving it to me.
3rdly, I need it for some server projects, but they dont require as much power as what I want for gaming.
So when im not gaming I will have a few VM with different things going, for work.

MikeHiow · 12 Dec 2011 at 10:45

You won't want it for gaming - it'll be loud as hell.

SavellM · 12 Dec 2011 at 10:48

Ye I know.
Dont really care about the noise tbh.

PistolPete · 12 Dec 2011 at 11:03

Gaming in a VM will be a no-no, so ideall you'd have to go Windows 7 and VM the 2008 server.
Windows 7 will need to be Home Premium as a minimum, Home Basic will only see 1 of the CPUs.

Dual booting would also work.

However, I can not see (other than software support) why you can't game on Windows 2008 tho.

SavellM · 12 Dec 2011 at 11:11

Ye so thats why I was curious about gaming on 2008.
I have Win7 Enterprise so no worries there.

But the dual booting sounds like a good idea tbh

SMN · 12 Dec 2011 at 12:55

What socket? I used to work for Intel in their server teams and I've used them for gaming - they are pretty good. I've got a dual X5355 rig with 16GB FB-DIMM, the stock copper HS's suck as they are deafening but I bought a Thermalright HR-01 and they are silent - about 25 quid a pop though

SavellM · 12 Dec 2011 at 14:09

Hey SMN thanks for the tip on keeping noise down

Its a Xeon X5650 Processor so guess its Socket LGA 1366

TRNC · 12 Dec 2011 at 21:17

Woah there.....you got GIVEN that???

Who on earth would give away a working, pretty well specced server for nothing??

MikeHiow · 12 Dec 2011 at 23:36

I'm guessing it is supposed to be a training aid.

SavellM · 13 Dec 2011 at 09:35

Well ye basically.
So got some projects to work on, and test it out on that at home first

m4cc45 · 13 Dec 2011 at 17:29

As others have said you would be better putting ESXi or Hyper-V on there and then having another PC as your gaming PC. The server could then run several different OS's you could then create your own domain, Exchange, SQL, Sharepoint, etc. and use it as it was intended.

M.