Server graphics production

[DogsiWoo]

Hi all,

I'm currently pricing up an all round server (Web, Game (LAN mostly, maybe WAN at times), File, FTP) and was wondering on the graphics production for the srcds server. Do I need, say an AGP or PCI-E card in the server to produce good framerates for clients? Or is the production of graphics done purely on a client machine?

Spec I'm looking at:

S775 MoBo (Probably Asus P5P800 variant or PCI-E Asus equivalent if needed.)
Intel Celeron D 352 or 356 (512KB cache, basically a Northwood P4)
1GB DDR PC3200 RAM (Team)
36GB SCSI (OS and Program Files, Got already)
40GB-200GB (Storage)
Hiper 350 PSU (May go 425 if needed)
DVD ROM Drive (May even use current)
Random Case (May even use current)

Cat5 --> WRT54G --> NTL 10Mb/512Kb

Thanks,

Karl

[cryotek]

To be honest, you don't need a video card at all for the server. Server framerate is far different from client framerate. I'd change that celeron D to at least a nicer pentium D maybe like a 930. Its a cheap dual core 3Ghz cpu with 2 x 2MB Cache. I think you can keep the motherboard as i think they're both LGA 775, but im not sure on that. Pentium D 930 presler will run you about $179 a step down to the 915 is $137 or you can drop to the 805 which is 2.66GHz 2 x 1MB cache but has AWESOME overclocking abilities, with good cooling you can clock it from 2.66 to 4.1 stable.

[DogsiWoo]

I want to create this server using a fanless HS, hence I went for the 352/356 as the Northwood P4s ran quite cool compared the the Preslers. I have a 930 in my system and was going to go fanless on it, but have found it runs a tad on the hot side which told me to go fanned. The 805 did come in as an option, seeing as the P4s were still more expensive, and the Celeron Ds (at the time I looked, about 2-3 months back) didn't have the 352 or 356 releases. I can get most (if not all) the components at a retailer cost price as I work for a pc repair centre and was aiming to keep the price as below £200 as possible.

[sdy284]

why go fanless? just spend the $50 on a good 120mm fan capable HSF, buy a decent 120mm fan and you'll barely hear the fan

You'll benefit from MUCH cooler temps & longer CPU life as a result

[cryotek]

My friend has the thermaltake blue orb II and he says its real quiet.

[DogsiWoo]

I have one on my D930, and it is quite quiet, but I can't hear how quiet coz of the GFX Card fan and PSU.

[chconline]

A good rule of thumb is NEVER EVER use Celeron for a server. Soyo motherboards plain suck, I'd suggest to go with low end Asus and at least a Pentium server (Heck, even Sempron).

[Drocona]

indeed, if I were Intel I would stop producing Celeron, I would be ashamed really, those things s*ck so bad.