HP DL380 G7 vs HP DL385 G7 (basically Intel vs AMD)

ok, Im still trying to spec up this server but its come to my attention that HP are doing a free 2nd processor promotion. So i'm specing up these 2 servers.

HPDL380 G7
6GB RAM
2 processors - 8 CORES
5 x 500GB SATA
S2k8
£2100

OR

HP DL385 G7
16GB RAM
2 processors - 24 cores
5x 500GB SATA
2k8
£2953

both prices after cashback from HP.

So considering were a primary school with 500 users, and 150 client machines is the 24 core 16GB ram beast worth the extra £850?

I would probably buy 2 and have two virtual servers running on each.

I think the AMD server is maybe a bit overkill for a primary but then again, it would easily be able to cope with whatever demands you have. Here's a thought, if you're virtualising, why not get one of each? A physical server for running your domain and the virtual box to host virtual servers for email, av etc...

Im always happy to profess my love for HP servers with AMD processors and we have a DL385 G7 (a single 8 core for us) however as has already been said it would be a little overkill.
I don't know if the DL165 series are covered as well but we use these with our SAN to host 'the network' (AD/Web services/WDS and so on) then use the DL385s for our virtual desktop setup.

I'd focus less on the CPUs and more on the RAM. My hosts have 2 sockets (8 CPUs) (g6ML350)

Anyhow most of the time the TOTAL cpu load is 1%. most of my 2003 VMs taking only 26Mhz! as they idle away. I've 22GB RAM in each host and wish I'd got 32 or 48.

Why G7 stuff and not the newer Gen8?

I'd personally look at either of these:

HP Proliant DL360e Gen8 683947-425
Additional CPU for above 660664-B21
5x500GB SATA drives 658071-B21
Redundant PSU 503296-B21
7x4GB RAM modules 669322-B21

Would give you a nice platform, and would come in around £2300 each

RAM is cheap, buy plenty.

Bear in mind that the 8 cores will likely be hyperthreaded and show up as 16 cores in Windows. Not quite as effective as true cores, but then AMD CPUs aren't quite as effective as Intel CPUs, clock-for-clock.

Either one is overkill for only running two virtual servers. I don't know if it's been tweaked in Server 2012, but on my hosts running 2008R2, my VM guests are limited to 4 cores each. I'd have less cores & more RAM (always more RAM, I have 72Gb in each of mine now :))

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamin100

ok, Im still trying to spec up this server but its come to my attention that HP are doing a free 2nd processor promotion. So i'm specing up these 2 servers.

HPDL380 G7
6GB RAM
2 processors - 8 CORES
5 x 500GB SATA
S2k8
£2100

OR

HP DL385 G7
16GB RAM
2 processors - 24 cores
5x 500GB SATA
2k8
£2953

both prices after cashback from HP.

So considering were a primary school with 500 users, and 150 client machines is the 24 core 16GB ram beast worth the extra £850?

I would probably buy 2 and have two virtual servers running on each.

---

If you'd like to save some cash I've got a DL360 G7 here that you could have for Just £1800.

2 x E5520 Quad cores
12GB 10600 DDR3 ECC
and I'll throw in a couple of 500GB SATA.


Or if you wanted overkill why not a Dell R710 for £3000

2 x E5520 Xeon
96GB RAM
again I'll throw in the hard discs :)

Anyone looked at the date that this was first posted yet? ;)

haha! Early morning date blindness!

Thats my excuse!

Lol! I blame @chazzy2501 for resurrecting the dead... ;)

:getmecoat:

Strange... I only ever hit the new posts link. I have no idea how this popped up into my view...