Dedicated server question...

[Iblis]

Would a Pentium 200 with 128 MB of EDO be enough for a dedicated game server for a game like Unreal Tournament? I don't have any experience running a server, but from what I understand you don't need much power because it's not actually rendering the game, and it just needs to serve as a "traffic cop" for everyone else's machine. Am I clucking up the wrong tree or am I close?

[SilverPriest]

For how many people?
But anymore than 8 and i would expect that little thing to choke.
If that even.
UT is a bandwidth and cpu hog, even serverside ;)
I'd suggest reading up some articles on how to make a game server using the almighty google (www.google.com).
But by all means, give it a shot, and if it works fine, w00t, if not, you have learned a valuable lesson :)
A server keeps track of where everyone is in the game, what they are doing, and in some instances predicts what they are doing.
Amongst other things ;)

[KingJackal]

Originally posted by Iblis
Would a Pentium 200 with 128 MB of EDO be enough for a dedicated game server for a game like Unreal Tournament? I don't have any experience running a server, but from what I understand you don't need much power because it's not actually rendering the game, and it just needs to serve as a "traffic cop" for everyone else's machine. Am I clucking up the wrong tree or am I close?

You're close. They don't need a fast video card. They don't need ANY sound card. ( They actually don't need a video card often, it just makes your life easier ;) ).

If you want to run a server rig, the best way is via a very cut-down box. EG, VERY fast CPU, lots of RAM, good mobo. And that's about it - throw in a cheap 100Mb NIC and a hard-drive big enough to store the games ( 10GB would probably be ample ), use that crusty old keyboard, mouse and 14" monitor in the basement - and you've got a server! :D

A PII 200 is kinda slow for UT. Like SP says, UT is a bit of a CPU hog. You'd be amazed what some games need for servers - the worst being games like Serious Sam. I wouldn't even consider an Athlon XP1600+ ample for that game with more than 8 or 12 people :eek: :eek: ( lol - guess what we tried unsuccessfully at the last LAN ;) :p ).

Here's a link to start you off ( that I dug up with Google (http://www.google.com/), of couse ;) ):
http://www.gameadmins.com/guides/ut/utbasic.htm

[Volodkovich]

heh, me and my mates are about to build up a ded./file server for our clan aswell. So far we are looking at a dual 800mhz duron server with 256mb ddr...Do u reckon this will be fast enough for future games - i.e. UT2K3??? or shall we upgrade to dual MP1700+'s and 512mb ddr???

Cheerz

[varkk]

So far as upgrading goes, if you can, do.
More RAM, faster CPU etc never hurt anyone :)

[Volodkovich]

it hurt my pocket!!! :(

[KingJackal]

Originally posted by Volodkovich
heh, me and my mates are about to build up a ded./file server for our clan aswell. So far we are looking at a dual 800mhz duron server with 256mb ddr...Do u reckon this will be fast enough for future games - i.e. UT2K3??? or shall we upgrade to dual MP1700+'s and 512mb ddr???

Cheerz

Are you asking:

Is this $3000 rig OK, or should we just upgrade to this $6000 rig :confused: :confused:.

Besides, I was under the impression that duron's don't work in SMP :confused:. Or at the very least require severe [H]a><ing :confused:.

If I were you, I'd just get one fast CPU, and 512MB of DDR - that'll make your life a LOT easier, and besides - not all games are SMP optimised, and I doubt all console servers are either....
;)

[Volodkovich]

hmmm, spose ur rite...an XP 1800+ would prob be faster than to duron 800mhz n e way. BTW, that rig was only like $1k, and $360 of that was a dual mobo...

[SilverPriest]

Durons as servers are a waste of time.
The 64k L2 cache hurts 'em bad.
In my most humble opinion that is ;)
My old Athlon 650 was great for hosting games.
The 512k L2 @ 325mhz helped a bit ;)
Durries do work in SMP, but it's a hit and miss proposition.
There are no guarantees.
Pray tell where you were going to get a Dually Socket A mobo for $360?

[Humantuckshop]

Originally posted by SilverPriest

Pray tell where you were going to get a Dually Socket A mobo for $360?



Well that's what I was wondering, the cheapest Dually is the ASUS A7M266-D, but that's about $600. Maybe he's getting one second hand?
*shrugs*

[mird-OC]

yes do tell volod... i'm in the market for one right now...

[whetu]

i noticed that mird... selling off your dually celery on trademe ;)

(i've been looking for celerys)

[Wibber]

only the morgans do SMP, the old tbird/spirtfire dunnie have it in em... and $360? where!???!??!? I want one!

[Volodkovich]

it was from the US, i cant remember which store it was at but i know it was one of those tyan tiger ones...is it cheating that its from the states?

[KingJackal]

Originally posted by Volodkovich
it was from the US, i cant remember which store it was at but i know it was one of those tyan tiger ones...is it cheating that its from the states?

Nope. Not as long as that's NZD ( not USD :rolleyes: ), includes shipping here ( not add $100 :rolleyes: ), and as long as you GIVE US THE LINK ALREADY!!! :D

[Solid Snake]

Come On already! ... :D

Hee hee, too bad we can't post up sounds in this forum, I know the perfect sound file for this one...

[Volodkovich]

well that didnt include postage...so include $100 would make it $450...and it was from newegg...so u need a mate in the states. It is the top one here (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=302&manufactory=1424&DEPA=1)

[KingJackal]

So if we add an insane postage and insurance fee, add GST ( cos it's over the $300 mark ), add in the hassle of finding a mate, add in the hassle of impossible warranties, we get.....

.....the fact that you ain't gonna be building this game server for $1000. That board alone'll wind up well past half that.

Add in two CPU's, RAM, a 400W PSU ( don't tell me you were thinking of powering TWO CPU's off a cheap 300W now.... :rolleyes: ).

You're ALSO likely gonna want $500 worth of OS as well ( what, can your Linux distro serve every game out there flawlessly? ).

Moral of the story - dual Durons/Athlons/MP's ain't gonna be a cheap server, CERTAINELY not $1000. Try $3000. Even if you use an old monitor etc ( or just use it remotely ), you'll be hard pressed to get a new dually server system for much less.

[Volodkovich]

yea, ur rite, thats why we've ditched the idea...a single processor will do us me thinks. and also, we dont have a mate in the US...