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Cheap Game Server / Backup Machine

E

EnderW

[H]F Junkie
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Sep 25, 2003
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I've got some spare parts laying around and I'd like to build a spare machine to be used to host online games like Halo, and also to use as a backup machine for when I need to test a hard drive or something so I don't have to tear apart my main rig.

I've got a bunch of junk so I narrowed it down to 2 options. The items listed are things I already have.

Option 1:

Antec SLK1600 Case
Antec Smart Power 350 PSU
WD200BB Hard Drive

so I need a MB, with intergrated everything and a CPU - thinking of a Sempron?
how much CPU power and RAM do I need for a game server?
will integrated video work?


Option 2:

I've also got a Shuttle SK41G that currently has 256MB of RAM (PC2100?) and a 1.3GHz Duron. Same hard drive.
I could add some RAM and a faster CPU - again, which one? How much RAM, etc?


The important thing is to keep it as inexpensive as possible, and although the using the Shuttle would probably cost more, I'm leaning towards it because it's so small and easy to yank out and mess with.
 
Since it's going to be dedicated to hosting an online server, the bare basics you may need depends on how much clients you're going to be allowing and how much apps you will run. However, as for your case, the most ideal set up would be at least:

1.8 GHz.
256 - 512 MB DDR400.
Integrated video.
Dedicated ethernet.

You will only be the host which in this case you will receive and send game information constantly (which uses up CPU cycles tremendously), not run the actual 3D game. That's why you don't need a fancy card at all.

The basic premise is that the more weaker your PC is, the more laggy it can get. While observing local server activity (LAN) while people play, check your ping/latency spikes. If it rises over 20 or so, then your computer is basically chugging by unacceptably.

-J.
 
so integrated NC wouldn't be a good idea? why not?

I just won an ASUS A7V8X-MX on eBay for $36 shipped. Going to add 512MB of Crucial PC2700, now just need a processor. Leaning towards a Sempron 2600+
 
I believe integrated should do fine as long as it is 10/100 specified. Otherwise, major servers use separate dedicated PCI ethernets to free up CPU load. Integrated Ethernets are known to spike up CPU usage by 10%. It can get scary. :eek:

-J.
 
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