I am working on setting up a computer hardware reviews and pricelist site and need some help trying to assess my hosting requirements. The site has not been launched yet, but I know(!) that it will attract a lot of visitors...

Everything will be built around PHP/MySQL. Reviews, news etc are all created dynamically and is being pulled from a MySQL database. My site's main feature is a pricelist where 50-100 retailers from around the world will add their prices on overclocking/power user equipment (they add their prices themselves in a special Retailer/vendor section), and this is then searchable directly from my main site...

And I'm considering adding a vBulletin or another PHP/MySQL forum to the site as well...

I believe that the site should 'easily' get 5000-10000 page views a day. These figures are based on what other sites with similar content gets at this time. I believe I could go higher, as my pricelist will attract most overclockers when they are on the lookout for new hardware (=always :)), and I have already got 30 retailers in the 'industry' that have said they will add their prices...

What do you reckon I would need for my hosting needs ? What kind of processor, ram etc ?!

As the service is free for both retailers and users, I will need to make the money from banner advertising - so the server should not cost more than I can pull in from advertising ;)

Thanks.

P.S. The site is http://www.ocprices.com/ (it's still in beta testing stage)...

IMHO, major, I think 5000-10000 p/v-day (depending on loading, of course -- it's the gigs that really count) is probably within the range of accepted use for a regular box; so you might well be able to start off on most any good, solid hosting service, and thereby keep start-up costs down. Among our own operations, we do quite a lot more than that off virtual hosting; and no one's hollered at us yet to go elsewhere... lol.

The CPU load when you go fully dynamic with vBulletin, etc., might be another consideration, however.

If it were me, I think I'd approach some of the better hosts you might find in searches on WHT, and tell them exactly what you're planning. The good ones will work with you, and guide you through the upgrade path to a dedicated box, as needed...



[Edited by etLux on 11-27-2000 at 12:45 AM]

http://Hostmatters.com has one of the beter reputations on this board. Check with Annette there and tell her that we miss her at the board.

I would consider only a dedicated server for such a site. Once it is popular, it will outgrow any shared server and you will be moved / kicked out (and that is always a bunch of problems)

For your server, I would use something like:

450mhz+ processor
256, preferably 512 RAM
The hd size is not very important... but a SCSI or fast IDE is always nice.

Else, with linux on the box, you should be able to grow without any problems for quite a lot more daily hits.

This is not the best server around, but a RAQ4i or RAQ4r if you need reliability & speed would do just fine for you. And it is easy to set up.

Paul, from what I know hostmatters only does hosting not dedicated servers, i also checked the page and they dont offer dedicated servers anywhere on the site unless im missing something. The question was about dedicated servers.
Relavant dedicated server companys who offer excellent service, include:

rackspace.com
and
catalog.com

there are many more out there but these are 2 where ive heard very few complaints.

A talk with Annette would still be worthwhile. Whether or not HostMatters offers dedicated's yet, I believe she can be trusted to give honest and astute advice on this.

Thanks for your replies...

OK, as I get it now, I will _probably_ need a dedicated server some time soon ;). Especially as all my content is dynamic...

But etLux thinks that I can probably stay being hosted virtual for some time, whereas Felix for one only recommends a dedicated server...

I'd definitely like to get more opinions on my needs. I am currently hosted virtual and obviously would like to stay that way as long as possible, as it is much cheaper that way... But I want to make sure that I can make a quick, and hopefully right decision, when my needs does that I have to go dedicated...

As far as I've heard, RAM is the big culprit when running a lot of PHP/MySQL intensive applications, processor speed might not be AS important... Can anyone confirm this ?

Major, I'm basing this on my own experience with fairly active sites. I think you're safe on traffic for now, and probably for the forseeable future.

But it *is* time to start talking to hosts (see above) and planning.

By the way, HostMatters seems to list only core services that are generally of interest to the majority of potential hosting clients.

I've asked for services not shown on the site, and they've happly and quickly come back with their usual "can do & will do" support. They may well be able to provide dedicated boxes, so do ask.

etLux: Thanks. That's exactly what I want to hear - personal experience with a 'similar' setup...

And I have already begun discussing this with my current host. And this thread was not meant to produce any offers on dedicated servers (I'll make a new thread when I know my needs ;)), but rather to outline the 'approximated' specs...

HostMatters will definitely be on my list when/if I decide to get a dedicated server. But so will most hosts that frequent the board: you're all top notch in my book ;)

May I caution, Major, that my own experience with more heavily trafficked sites does not include predominantly dynamically generated content.

Other than that, do your homework carefully, and good luck and good speed in your work.

Thanks for clarifying that, etLux, as my site consists of 99% dynamically generated content...