Servers

[Lee_K_81]

Right about to buy a server, but i've just noticed that HP have a free processor offer on, which doesnt include the 2 processor server i had in mind. But it does have the same model but with only 1 processor (and less ram) in a number of flavours. If it was your choice which way would you go:

 

Originally wanted:

 

HP DL380 G5 High performance

2x 3GHz Dual Core Intel Xeon

4 GB RAM

4MB Cache Memory

 

Choice Between:

a)

HP DL380 G5 Base

1x 3GHz Dual Core Intel Xeon + 1 Free 3 GHz Dual Core Intel Xeon

2 GB RAM (would pay for upgrade to 4 GB)

4MB Cache Memory

 

b)

HP DL380 G5 Base

1 x 2GHz QUAD Core Intel Xeon + 1 Free 2 GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon

2 GB RAM (would pay for upgrade to 4 GB)

8MB Cache Memory

 

So considering the processors and Cache Memory which would you choose?

[steve]

Depends what you're running on the server.

 

For my new SQL server I'm going for the quad core.

 

Can you let me know where you're getting this offer, will make my purchase a bit cheaper.

[Lee_K_81]

btw, not sure this would effect opinions but the servers will be used for terminal services.

 

As i see it:

2x (2GHz x4) = 16GHz

2x (3GHz x2) = 12GHz

 

Not sure whether its better to have 8 2Ghz or 4 3Ghz;

[Ric_]

I agree with Steve. If you're not running virtual servers or something that crunches numbers or processes large amounts of data (e.g. an SQL server - or ven Exchange which is basiclaly a database server), there is little point having 8 cores in the server.

 

EDIT - Terminal servers generally don't upscale too well. You're better off with 2 dual processor servers than a single 4-processor server.

[Lee_K_81]

Depends what you're running on the server.

 

For my new SQL server I'm going for the quad core.

 

Can you let me know where you're getting this offer, will make my purchase a bit cheaper.

 

Anybody that sells HP. It's a HP offer nothing to do with resellers. You may have to move quickly though. http://www.hp.com/uk/proliantcpu for details. Check out the link for qualifying servers, gives the code of the required CPU. You pay for it then claim back the cash from HP. Just make sure your invoice will say May on it.

[Lee_K_81]

EDIT - Terminal servers generally don't upscale too well. You're better off with 2 dual processor servers than a single 4-processor server.

 

Sorry Ric_ there was no option C it's either 2 duals or 2 quads.

[Lee_K_81]

oh while i'm on the subject are there any hidden costs between dual and quad such as server 2003 licensing?

[Ric_]

@Lee_K-81: You will need Enterprise edition of 2003 to use 8 cores - you should be OK with 4 though.

 

See http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/evaluate/features/compare.mspx#Hardware%20Specifications and http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/evaluate/features/compare.mspx#64Hardware%20Specifications

 

[steve]

Server 2003 Standard can use up to 4 processors (doesn't matter how many cores in each - so a max 16 cores) and up to 32Gb RAM (if 64 bit)

[Ric_]

Server 2003 Standard can use up to 4 processors (doesn't matter how many cores in each - so a max 16 cores) and up to 32Gb RAM (if 64 bit)

 

MS describes it as 4-way being the maximum. To me this sounds like 4 cores since there is no talk of processors and it is more than just a licensing issue - it just doesn't utilise all the processors. I may of course be wrong... perhaps an MS license/software expert is needed?

[Norphy]

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/multicore.mspx

 

Basically, with MS licensing, Microsoft count whats in the socket as a single CPU. That socket could contain 16 cores and you'd still only need a single CPU licence.

[Ric_]

@Norphy: I thought that with the OS it was a case of whether it would addres all the cores rather than if you were licensed to use them.

[localzuk]

According to http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/evaluate/features/compare.mspx only 2003 Enterprise can support 8 cores altogether, standard only supports 4.

[mattx]

Plenty of bargins to be found on E-bay don't forget.....

Filled up our rack with 3 IBM servers + I now have a spare one which will be on a test network soon......

[Lee_K_81]

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/multicore.mspx

 

Basically, with MS licensing, Microsoft count whats in the socket as a single CPU. That socket could contain 16 cores and you'd still only need a single CPU licence.

 

Ah right so two dual/quad cores = 2 server 2003 Licences. Got it. Thanks for all the help guys.