Differences between server and desktop?

coder_t2

[H]ard|Gawd
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Dec 31, 2005
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Hey guys. I currently run sql server locally at work on a desktop. I was thinking that I may upgrade the system, and was looking at the cost of getting an actual server vs a desktop from Dells website. Basically I can't figure out why the cost is higher for a server than a desktop with similar specs. Now I am talking about a basic tower server. Not rack mounts, or blade servers. I know that some tower servers are designed with redundant power supplies and such, but I am look at ones without it. So is an Opteron any different than a Phenom X4 of the same clock? Or 8GB of UDIMM (this is what Dell has for their servers) versus regular desktop DDR2 or DDR3? Or the hard drive they traditionally put in these boxes? (Both were 7200 rpm). Similar specs came out to be 200-300 dollars more for the server. Thanks.
 
only real factor which makes server and desktop is the role it plays within the desktop.
 
Yea, I am just trying to understand why a 2.5 Ghz Opteron costs twice as much as a Phenom II X4. Do intel and amd just charge that kind of money since those are the only CPUs that work in dual or quad socket mobos? Or do they have some sort of technology enabled on them?
 
They are the same crap. The only thing a Xeon has over desktop processors is a network data management instruction set. That is it. And they are higher binned chips.

Here's the Opteron wiki page, which will tell you much more than I know about it's capabilities as a server processor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opteron

Basically though, unless you're running some crazy serious services on your server, a decent modern desktop CPU solution will be more than adequate.
 
Get a dell rep, they might be able to get the cost down some. Hard drives and what not are a good area they can cut down the price.

The do carry a little bit of a premium but remember compaired to a home dell they have a better warranty.
 
ok thanks guys. Yea, I'll just get a desktop system. Just looking to get the most bang for my buck. Well most bang for the company's buck lol.
 
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