help: Budget gaming server

[kppowell]

Hey guys,

I was under the impression that one could build a very low cost server to run just a few (2-3) source dedicated servers on.

I do not know what makes a server "good" so any help would be much appreciated (newegg's to CPU's, cases etc)

I'd really want to keep this as LOW BUDGET as possible.

Remember that I am not hosting four 100tick 32 slot servers or anything, just very minimal, with a total of about 20 people playing max at a time.

I have the bandwidth taken care of, all I need is help picking out the right parts!

Is it possible to buy something like this http://houston.craigslist.org/sys/1725887345.html throw ubuntu on there and host my servers?

[assmunk]

(05-06-2010, 06:39 AM)kppowell Wrote:  Hey guys,

I was under the impression that one could build a very low cost server to run just a few (2-3) source dedicated servers on.

I do not know what makes a server "good" so any help would be much appreciated (newegg's to CPU's, cases etc)

I'd really want to keep this as LOW BUDGET as possible.

Remember that I am not hosting four 100tick 32 slot servers or anything, just very minimal, with a total of about 20 people playing max at a time.

I have the bandwidth taken care of, all I need is help picking out the right parts!

Is it possible to buy something like this http://houston.craigslist.org/sys/1725887345.html throw ubuntu on there and host my servers?

For a max of 20 people playing at a time that server will be fine

but what about your internet? you wont be able to run much if ur upload is under 10 Mbps (20+ recommended, do they have Verizon FiOS in your area?)

[kppowell]

Thanks, also, I am very new when it comes to configuring servers like that. It is possible to put ubuntu on there and run my srcds from it correct?

Secondly, maximum 20 people is about right, but what do you think it could handle max? not that I'd ever need it, but just in case, I'd like to have that number in my head

As for my bandwidth, I have access to one of my engineering labs on campus, I ok'ed running a box from there with all the head honchos so I think it should be fine, the upspeed is ridiculously fast.

[Spartanfrog]

I cannot tell but are they old Xeon's based on the P4 architecture? If so, it will not be able to hold as many slots as you think.

[kppowell]

I'm not sure I will ask him, thanks for catching that.
Do you guys know of any liquidation servers that should handle it ok from something like pacificgeek.com or anything?

I've been building some from scratch on newegg in my shopping cart and it seems like these pre-made servers are a lot more price friendly, which is contrary to what I thought.

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Oh, also I was going to ask, is it a necessity to run srcds from actual servers like that one? Is there anything special about server RAM & mobo

or could I build a super cheap computer from newegg with 4GB decent ram, minimal hard drive, microATX mobo and a cpu and still produce the same results for such a small task.

[loopyman]

Na, you don't have to use "server" equipment to run game servers.

Also, when srcds game servers were first being sold they were mostly on P4 Xeons... Think about it, They worked.
You should be able to do a 24 slot 100tick CS:S per processor just fine on that server you showed earlier.

Also, I never used pacificgeek.com but their website is very similar to http://geeks.com or if you're wholesale http://evertek.com

I believe they are the same company, and some of their items are okay, do research on your product before you buy it. They have errors all the time.

[Spartanfrog]

I'm sorry if my comment made you believe that the server would be unable to run any servers. I just recall from previous years that some people had purchased/rented Xeons only to find out that the CPU consumption was off the charts and performance was poor. I do not recall the exact model numbers but I just wanted to warn that since this is a older Xeon, you might run into issues.

[kppowell]

here are the specs on that server i was thinking about buying
what do you think?

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Also, will 2GB of RAM be enough for two 18 slot servers that will never reach full capacity?

[Darksoul]

(05-06-2010, 10:31 AM)kppowell Wrote:  here are the specs on that server i was thinking about buying
what do you think?

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Also, will 2GB of RAM be enough for two 18 slot servers that will never reach full capacity?

No RAID?.

[kppowell]

I don't really need RAID do i? I'm not running that many servers, and for that matter, they're all less than about 9GB combined

[loopyman]

Raid isn't that important for game servers...

[Darksoul]

(05-06-2010, 12:58 PM)loopyman Wrote:  Raid isn't that important for game servers...

RAID1 is.

[loopyman]

I suppose if your game servers custom addons are THAT important.

Raid 1 is useful, not important.

[kppowell]

Do you think this server would be worth the extra money?
http://houston.craigslist.org/sys/1725575158.html
Its about twice the price. Would i see any significant performance increase in my servers from buying this?

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Only big dif. i can see is 2GB more RAM and 15,000 RPM HD

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http://www.starsurplus.com/viewitem.lasso?i=DL360-8R
what about that

[loopyman]

(05-07-2010, 04:16 AM)kppowell Wrote:  Do you think this server would be worth the extra money?
http://houston.craigslist.org/sys/1725575158.html
Its about twice the price. Would i see any significant performance increase in my servers from buying this?

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Only big dif. i can see is 2GB more RAM and 15,000 RPM HD

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http://www.starsurplus.com/viewitem.lasso?i=DL360-8R
what about that

No, that's not a good buy.