Whats the difference between a server and a cpu, maybe a stupid question, but they are made with the same components. Only thing missing from cpu is the software right?

That being the case why are servers so HIGH?
I mean i could build the same cpu stats right now for a ton less then the server would cost. Wouldnt be 1U though:)

Is that whats so high, the fact that is 1U?
And why would colocation be more than dedicated servers? For the life of me i cant figure out why someone would charge you more to use your own hardware, then to use theres?

A CPU is just the actually processor, and doesn't include any ancillaries like motherboard, case, RAM, HDD etc.

Colo is generally more expensive because people use 100% of what they pay for, rather than with dedicated servers where this is rare. (In terms of bandwidth etc)

when i said cpu i was just meaning computer, wasnt being technical,, the average person says cpu as short for computer or desktop.

Originally posted by jdp29053
the average person says cpu as short for computer or desktop.

Never heard it used like that. :cool:

The question was:

What is the difference between a "a general home desktop computer such as compaq presario" and a web server? Is it just in the software?

If anyone would be nice enough to address the question and not any mispelled words, errors in wording, or anything else that has nothing to do with what im asking i would appreciate it. If not please dont bother responding.

Well generally a webserver would have something like 512MB Ram ->2GB ram, which drives up the cost, as well as not wanting cheap components that you find in desktops.
You would need a powersupply, mobo, hard drives etc that can run 24/7.

And I agree Ed and Andy on that one, CPU is the processor. Comp. would be an abreviation for computer I think.

jdp29053 i'm sorry, but you stated that the 'average' person says CPU.. ;)

Anyway, you're right, normal desktop computers are no different. Servers are generally, in this industry, shaped to fit a rack cabinet. Rackspace isn't always that cheap, so the idea is to use as little as you can.

When you say the same specs, do you mean motherboard, hard drive brands etc? You usually put high-end hardware in servers, don't want them to be unstable..

The focus is on long-lasting reliable hardware, yes. The majority of web servers run in a rackmounted chassis rather than white box case, and have better cooling.

To be honest there is not much differance in "low end" servers and desktop computers. At many companies what you do get is just that "Desktop Computer" called a "Server".

To me main differance is the following.......

Form Factor on the Case (1U, 2U, 4U), but also keep in mind servers come in Towers to, just depending on the purpose. The also now come in BLADE form which is an entirely differant discussion.

That is the main differance besides parts, you could in theroy exchange the parts from a desktop and put them into a Rackmount case and call it a server.

On higer end servers, such things as the ability to have hot swap drives, higher end motherboards, ram, dual power supplies, all make it quite clear the differance between server and desktop computer.

Remember most 1U cases will have only enough space for 1 PCI card, if you're lucky - so most web servers have everything integrated on to the mobo.

Yeah, the lines are pretty "blurry." My desktop computer is a server, too -- the thing that makes it a server is that I'm running server services (Apache, MySQL, etc.). The thing that makes it a desktop is that I'm sitting at the console running Mozilla.

A "good" server would be optimized for more "server" needs -- high-speed disks, tons of RAM, etc. A desktop would have things like a CD-RW or DVD drive, a high-end video card, sound card, etc.

I don't think there's really any "official" designation. But if you're designing a computer to be a server, you'll do it a little differently then if you make it a desktop.

And a server doesn't have to be rackmounted to be a server. (Though rackmount servers are usually a good idea.) There are plenty of places that will colocate a desktop for you. I saw an auction on eBay for be.com (the maker of BeOS)'s old computers -- they were towers, but had SCSI disks, etc. Similarly, there are plenty of people who have their desktop in a rackmount form. (I thought about this myself, but it was too expensive, and far easier to use a tower.)

As for "CPU..." I've been told it means both, but the "experts" tend to use CPU to just refer to the processor.