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What CPU for a Server?

Slime101

Slime101

Slime101

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The obvious choice is a Xeon, howeverit seems if you want a decent amount of RAM and decent drives/raid etc it costs a lot more than we can afford, so, is it worth looking at an i7, i5 or perhaps over to AMD with a hex core offering or something else???

The machine works as a print server controlling 3 commercial digital printers (not rip tho) and also as a file server for 5 users. It will be running SBS2008 most likely.
 
We currently run an E8400 with 4gb ram, its ok but it wont like sbs2008 and the intended tasks as loads increase with more traffic, more print data, and running our internal bespoke software that handles our customer info and ordering system.

Not only are we moving to SBS2008, so it will handle files, profiles and filer serving for 5 users normally, but also moving to a new bespoke system which will be run from a second server running server 2008
 
Tower or rack server? Budget?

I'd be looking at something like a Dell PowerEdge and configure it online. If you are going to be replacing a E8400 then may as well go for an i3 or Xeon range.
 
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Duke said:
Tower or rack server? Budget?

I'd be looking at something like a Dell PowerEdge and configure it online. If you are going to be replacing a E8400 then may as well go for an i3 or Xeon range.
Click to expand...

This.

There's a world of difference between a DIY Computer for home use and something that's needed for 24x7 Business Use.

Take a look at the lower end Dell or HP ranges. We use a lot of Dell server kit, and can't fault the 24/7 4 Hour gold support contract.

Good choice on the SBS 2008 platform though for your needs.
 
Fujitsu-Siemens is good if you want something a little cheaper but agree HP are good as well.
 
We use hp servers here, home builds are one thing but as others have said you want a proper server with proper support for business.

Our hp's have been great - The DL160 G5 (1u) has been an awesome server and has only had some minor issues which HP sorted the same day.

Other than that we have used all kinds of HP kit without an issue dl360's etc.

For your needs I would go with something like the 160, its cheap has plenty of space for disks and upgrades, has good support and will happily work away as a print server and file server without breaking a sweat. (it also takes up next to no space in your cab).... I guess as this is a rack server its only an option if you have a cab.

Also as others have said, stay well away from home builds for business critical applications as nobody wants to support a home build.

As for the cpu, literally any base quad is going to be more than enough for your needs.
 
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Duke said:
Tower or rack server? Budget?

I'd be looking at something like a Dell PowerEdge and configure it online. If you are going to be replacing a E8400 then may as well go for an i3 or Xeon range.
Click to expand...


dell ? no thanks



492136-B21 - Intel Xeon E5504 2.26
 
VinceB1 said:
We use hp servers here, home builds are one thing but as others have said you want a proper server with proper support for business.

Our hp's have been great - The DL160 G5 (1u) has been an awesome server and has only had some minor issues which HP sorted the same day.

Other than that we have used all kinds of HP kit without an issue dl360's etc.

For your needs I would go with something like the 160, its cheap has plenty of space for disks and upgrades, has good support and will happily work away as a print server and file server without breaking a sweat. (it also takes up next to no space in your cab).... I guess as this is a rack server its only an option if you have a cab.

Also as others have said, stay well away from home builds for business critical applications as nobody wants to support a home build.

As for the cpu, literally any base quad is going to be more than enough for your needs.
Click to expand...



the DL160 isnt even a server ...its poo
 
denby said:
the DL160 isnt even a server ...its poo
Click to expand...

So a supported 1u server with sas disks is not a server? nice one. It is a server which is more than capable of hosting a few files for 5 users and supporting 3 printers. Hardly the most taxing roles I think you will agree.

Besides, I guess you have experience with HP servers in generall so know exactly what the best server is, how about recommending one?

So far your contribution to the thread has been

Dell? No thanks
Click to expand...

and

the DL160 isnt even a server ...its poo
Click to expand...

Both of these are golden and really help the op, if you have no idea which seems to be the case then don't bother posting.

Just as an aside we had similar issues and budget restraints when specin the server and if I remember rightly the 160 was around £650 without disks, thats certainly not just the price of a cpu but its what you pay for peace of mind.
 
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Budget.....ZERO! (We're only small!) We dont have an IT budget or an IT department.

In our 18 year history not once have we needed to use support on our "servers", hence why we dont bother buying from dell/HP etc as to get a better spec than the one we have costs a fortune. Sure they have a place in big business but for small businesses they are simply too expensive without offering anything of use for the money.

Its all very well saying its only 3 printers....these arent desktop lasers they are commercial production printers and we are looking at adding a new one next year which will be feb by this and a dedicated RIP.

I shall take a look at Dell and HP (and others) again and see what they have to offer, we are after a tower as we dont have rack facilities or a dedicated server room so we like it to be quiet, our current server is silent!
 
VinceB1 said:
So a supported 1u server with sas disks is not a server? nice one. It is a server which is more than capable of hosting a few files for 5 users and supporting 3 printers. Hardly the most taxing roles I think you will agree.

Besides, I guess you have experience with HP servers in generall so know exactly what the best server is, how about recommending one?

So far your contribution to the thread has been



and



Both of these are golden and really help the op, if you have no idea which seems to be the case then don't bother posting.

Just as an aside we had similar issues and budget restraints when specin the server and if I remember rightly the 160 was around £650 without disks, thats certainly not just the price of a cpu but its what you pay for peace of mind.
Click to expand...



no idea? okkkk

of course its a server but it is the entry level little baby "server"

i also provided a part code and description for a processor which is what the OP is asking for...Hes not enquiring about a whole server..so do one
 
Slime101 said:
Budget.....ZERO! (We're only small!) We dont have an IT budget or an IT department.

In our 18 year history not once have we needed to use support on our "servers", hence why we dont bother buying from dell/HP etc as to get a better spec than the one we have costs a fortune. Sure they have a place in big business but for small businesses they are simply too expensive without offering anything of use for the money.

Its all very well saying its only 3 printers....these arent desktop lasers they are commercial production printers and we are looking at adding a new one next year which will be feb by this and a dedicated RIP.

I shall take a look at Dell and HP (and others) again and see what they have to offer, we are after a tower as we dont have rack facilities or a dedicated server room so we like it to be quiet, our current server is silent!
Click to expand...
Thats fine, just have a look around online. It is a lot less hassle to spec a server online that you know will just work, rather than building your own (which I think is what you may be wanting to do?). You don't need to take out support with them if you don't need it - just get the box. Don't forget a UPS if you don't already have one.


denby said:
no idea? okkkk

of course its a server but it is the entry level little baby "server"

i also provided a part code and description for a processor which is what the OP is asking for...Hes not enquiring about a whole server..so do one
Click to expand...

What a lovely attitude you have.
 
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