Windows XP vs 2003

[Stinger]

Ok so I have come into a little strife regaurding licensing for Windows Server 2003 which I am currently running on my server box.

To cut a long story short, I need to either get a new 2003 license and dont plan on spending all that $, or settle for Windows XP which I have licenses for (pirated 2003 is not an option).

Will there be any performance differances running srcds servers on XP instead of 2003?

The server hardware is a HP DL30 G3 dual xeon.

Server OS: XP
Processor: Dual xeon 3.0Ghz
Ram: 4GB (XP will only use 3GB)
Game(s): 4 x srcds Counter-Strike Source
Admin Mods: Meta Mod Source + Sourcemod

Thanks,
Ryan

[Monk]

Nothing. One is crippled for server use (2003) and XP is more for home computers. It's like running RHEL vs CentOS 5, no differences but a few things.

Run 2008, as 2008 uses HPET for interrupt routing and timecounter support.

[loopyman]

If you chose to put up XP be sure you know your way around basic server security, as most of it doesn't come enabled by default.

[Stinger]

Thanks guys,

Yeh a little extra work to secure XP.. I'll disable/lockdown accounts, remove crap i dont need etc

[Monk]

I don't know why you want to use XP for gameserver hosting, when the time quantum are set to foreground apps.

[loopyman]

I would assume that he cannot afford nor wants to spend money on a retail license for Windows Server... Or doesn't want to lease it monthly.

[Stinger]

XP is basically my only option, its cheap and can be locked down properly. Though i guess a Server 2000 license would be cheap to obtain these days.... I own the server in a data center so no point renting.