Server Discussion and Dual Cores

[Oen386]

Hello everyone, I have read a few different topics on this, I am trying to clear up some things I have read.

Right now I have multiple single core P4 2.8ghz machines running with 768 of RAM. I used this to run L4D (coop and vs) and it worked smoothly. I also use one for TF2 and one Dystopia.

I have 2 'newer' servers. They are dual core, I read though srcds does not take advantage of the two processors. So should I install a Windows based server so that I can have 1 really good sever using both processors?

One of the servers is a dual 2.4ghz box, with 1gig of RAM. I figure if the process can only run on 1 processor, then running it on a 2.8ghz would be better than a dual 2.4ghz.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[afterhoursgaming]

This is true srcds is a single core application whether you run it on windows or linux the reults are the same the application was not made for multiple cores as is the delima with most application vs the hardware these days. If you want the best performance out of it then high frequency is the way to go.

[Oen386]

High frequency? So I guess my questions is what do I need to do for my TF2 server to support more players if the Windows version also does not support using both cores? Is RAM the issue?

It is the only process running but at about 22 people it starts to noticeably lag.

[Peter_Pan123]

thats true

[BehaartesEtwas]

Oen386 Wrote:So should I install a Windows based server so that I can have 1 really good sever using both processors?

isn't this a contradiction by itself

afaik the windows version of srcds does not support 2 cores as well. in fact you cannot optimize windows for our needs.

two cores can be used to run two servers on the same machine, so it's not a waste to have a dual core ;-)

a better quality (= no/less lags) can be reached by optimizing linux, see my signature for a howto...

[afterhoursgaming]

I would switch your l4d servs to the newer lower frequency box's put each one on its own core and you should be fine there. Then run your tf2 server on the p4 machine with the ram p4 has hyperthreading which is supported at the hardware lvl no need to worry about the software side. This will give you higher frequency to run your tf2 server a little better than the dual core would and allows you to take advantage of the hyperthreading on the p4. Also I would recommend using linux and following a how to on the server you put tf2 on because orange box uses more resources than lets say css.

[Oen386]

So with a P4 2.8ghz, I lag at 22 players with 768 megs of RAM. Will just increasing the RAM help resolve this? Do you think that could be the critical piece of hardware that needs updating? I can probably get 1-2 gigs in there instead, I know increasing it wouldn't hurt, but is this the key to what is causing me the lag on the system besides the configuration?

Thanks,
Oen

[skyride]

Oen386 Wrote:So with a P4 2.8ghz, I lag at 22 players with 768 megs of RAM. Will just increasing the RAM help resolve this? Do you think that could be the critical piece of hardware that needs updating? I can probably get 1-2 gigs in there instead, I know increasing it wouldn't hurt, but is this the key to what is causing me the lag on the system besides the configuration?

Thanks,
Oen

No, that is ABSOLUTELY your internet connection at fault.

My dedicated server (rented) is:
Athlon 3500+ (2.2GHz Single Core)
1GB RAM

That will quite happily run my 4 TF2 servers as long as the total number of slots filled across all 4 servers does not exceed ~70 (dependant upon map and various other things). What increases, your ping or does it just get laggy?

If you have another PC you can run alongside it, open SSH and type in "top". This will bring up the linux equivelant of task manager and keep a close eye on the total CPU usage.

[Oen386]

I did top, and it says 95+%. I assumed that high CPU usage was related to a lack of RAM.

Weird about that server then... I mean if you are claiming a 2.2ghz can run 4 servers with about 70 people. I can not see why mine will not run 1 server with 22 people.

Internet connection is not the issue I am pretty sure, so it has to be the CPU? Thought 2.8ghz would be enough.

[afterhoursgaming]

What is your 2.8ghz p4 box running? and have you recompiled it for any special configurations?

[Oen386]

No, that is what I am wondering. I thought RAM would be more important. I am running stock Ubuntu 8.10 Server edition.

[BehaartesEtwas]

several thought:
- what kind of CPU is your dual core? Pentium D? or a newer Core/Core2? If the latter, each core of the dual-core machine will be much faster than you P4, even though it has a lower GHz. This really does not matter for modern cpus. Even the Pentium D has some improvements over the P4, so it will be probably at least similar fast as the P4.
- lags can be produced by software. you can see this by looking at the server fps. see my signature for a tool to visualize them ;-)
- software can be improved by optimizing your kernel, also see my signature for a howto

[Oen386]

The dual core is Xeon. 2.4ghz each.

I don't think it is the software, TF2, but maybe I don't know about that.

It seems weird that supposedly I just need to optimize my kernel? I mean is that really all that is left to do? It seems like you guys are saying I should be able to run a lot more than I am, with what I have.

[BehaartesEtwas]

Oen386 Wrote:The dual core is Xeon. 2.4ghz each.

what kind? there were netburst-based Xeons, which would equal the Pentium D more or less..

Quote:I don't think it is the software, TF2, but maybe I don't know about that.

kernel etc. = software ;-)

Quote:It seems weird that supposedly I just need to optimize my kernel? I mean is that really all that is left to do? It seems like you guys are saying I should be able to run a lot more than I am, with what I have.

you cannot be sure that this is the only thing to do. but if you havn't yet optimized your kernel, this should be the first step to do.

how much you can run depends highly on your required quality of the servers. i would not run more than 2 servers per cpu-core (and only 1 on netburst or P6 cpus), if you want high quality.

[afterhoursgaming]

Actually after speaking with a few people who run tf2 servers seems the new patches recently cause lag on servers over 20 slots. Drop your server down 2 slots and see if it lags?