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02-23-2012, 08:52 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-23-2012, 09:08 AM by olealX.)
I am going to host servers for a Counter-Strike: Source competition on a local LAN party, and I wonder how many gameservers I can run on one machine without any lag. I have to buy new machines and was thinking about something like this:
CPU: i5 2500K
RAM: 8 GB
OS: Ubuntu server 10
Any objections?
The only mod I will install is Zblock.
Slots: 12 (10 players, 1 admin and 1 STV
What about SourceTV?
Is it recomended to use an own computer as STV Proxies, or am I fine by using it on the same as each gameserver. There will be approximately 20-30 viewers on each match.
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My personal computer:
core i5 2400
8gb ram
win 7 64bit
This is what I could run:
10x24 TF2 Server with 24 Bots
CPU was ~ 80%
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Bots doesn't simulate real cpu-usage.
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For multiple servers I would choose a hyperthreading CPU like i7 instead of the i5. Its easy math: 4 core i5 can work 4 threads at a time a 4 core i7 with HT 8 threads at a time.
With most modern cpus it is no problem to run more gameservers than cpu threads. The smoothest overall performance will be if you keep the gameserver amount equal to the available threads.
For the math: 200 started (not used) slots on a x3440 are no problem at all. With a 50% slot usage the load on that box is around 0.1-0.2
Running multiple servers make sure you have a fast HDD. I see often systems where IO wait cause a high load.
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02-25-2012, 01:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-25-2012, 01:07 AM by olealX.)
So you say I can run 8 servers on one machine if i buy an i7 2600k instead of an i5 2500k?
Will I be able to run SourceTV on each gameserver, with tv_transmitall set to 1, or should i use an own machine just for sourceTV using proxies?
Will an 7,2k RPM HDD be enough, or should i use an SSD, or 10k RPM?
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With a 2600k you can probably host 16~ servers
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02-25-2012, 04:22 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-25-2012, 04:23 AM by loopyman.)
Get the new AMD bulldozers. To hell with hyper threading when there is 8 physical cores...
Looking for a game server? Visit
fullfrag.com and pick one up as low as $2.50 / mo!
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I do not say you need to have more or equal cores/threads as gameservers. Just that in most cases the smoothest performance is achieved with that kind of usage. There are plenty hosters out there that start 400 and more slots on a single i7 920. Most times this very high count even works. Only some times they run into bottle necks.
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Ok, thank you guys. I'll go for a server with 2600k, 8 GB RAM and an SSD. I only need about 8 servers, so I suppose I can run STV on the same box.
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Yes. Or as loopyman suggested a AMD Bulldozer. Instead of 8 virtual cores (Hyperthreading) you will get 8 real cores. Regarding Server often more real cores is the better way.
