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Thread: game server specs
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07-30-2005, 04:32 PM #1Newbie
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game server specs
Hi, Im thinking about starting a game server. Id like to know what is a good game server specification? What processor? How many RAM, HD and bw? What is more necessary: more CPU or more bw?
Thanks a lot.0
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07-30-2005, 04:37 PM #2WHT Addict
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What game/s are you hosting?
What size server/s?
Is this for your clan or are you starting a game service provider?
What is you monthly budget?
Are you familiar with linux? If so what distro? Do you want windows?
What location?0
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07-30-2005, 04:56 PM #3Newbie
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I dont know much about many games. I think about Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, Warcraft and some others if necessary. But I dont want a such big server, just for 80 or 100 users(is it big?). Do these games use so many space and bw? I want to start a small game service provider. I have about $200.
What kind of software will I need?
Thanks0
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07-30-2005, 04:59 PM #4WHT Addict
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there is lots to learn if you wish to start a GSP, dont be another here one day gone the next, be smart and read up more on the subject before you jump straight in
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07-30-2005, 05:00 PM #5Disabled
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olimaboys, first off, if you want to start hosting game servers, you need to do ALOT more research then just asking this question. Also, with only $200 to invest in this, my advice is to turn back and run as far as you can.
I'm sure you'll appreciate the Search function of this forum to bring up older posts regarding this topic.0
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07-30-2005, 05:03 PM #6Newbie
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I have read many posts today. I ve found some specs but I just want to know if, for example, I can use a P4 2.4, 2Gb Ram, 80 GB, 2000 Gb BW for 80 users.
What I have found doesnt show how many users can use a specific server config without delay.0
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07-30-2005, 05:05 PM #7WHT Addict
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Yea, I agree with Jake and 135791 , you need to multiplly your budget by about 10 to be able to compete and stand a chance in todays market, if you did want to start hosting games from scratch I suggest you resell for another company first and take affiliate money, rates for getting game server customers are currently very very nice.
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07-30-2005, 05:09 PM #8Junior Guru
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200 bucks wont be near enough money to get a good machine and the bandwidth necessary to start this. Also don't expect to buy a 200 dedicated box and rent it out right away. It would probably take several months to rent out servers on your box which would mean you would need a minimum of 600 bucks to get started. Even then it could take you even more than 600 bucks to start break even. You best do some research or maybe save up more money so that you can get started right.
Things to consider:
Business Licenses
Tax Issues
Marketing
Losing money - over the short term
If you want to have a game server and you can afford 200 bucks a month to mess with it. And host a few servers for friends and they kick money in to support it ... then by all means go for it. Have fun. Because if you don't really like what you are doing then whats the point of starting a business in that field.
Originally posted by olimaboys
I have read many posts today. I ve found some specs but I just want to know if, for example, I can use a P4 2.4, 2Gb Ram, 80 GB, 2000 Gb BW for 80 users.
What I have found doesnt show how many users can use a specific server config without delay.Last edited by DaSoul; 07-30-2005 at 05:13 PM.
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07-30-2005, 05:14 PM #9Newbie
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How many users do you think a P4 2.4, 2Gb Ram, 80 GB can handle?
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07-30-2005, 05:16 PM #10Disabled
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Originally posted by DaSoul
200 bucks wont be near enough money to get a good machine and the bandwidth necessary to start this. Also don't expect to buy a 200 dedicated box and rent it out right away. It would probably take several months to rent out servers on your box which would mean you would need a minimum of 600 bucks to get started. Even then it could take you even more than 600 bucks to start break even. You best do some research or maybe save up more money so that you can get started right.
Things to consider:
Business Licenses
Tax Issues
Marketing
Losing money - over the short term
If you want to have a game server and you can afford 200 bucks a month to mess with it. And host a few servers for friends and they kick money in to support it ... then by all means go for it. Have fun. Because if you don't really like what you are doing then whats the point of starting a business in that field.
I don't think a P4 2.4 alone could handle 80 users. But since I have never used a P4 2.4 for such things I don't know for sure. The first server I bought to do game server hosting was a dual opteron 246 with 2 gig of ram and 6 seperate hard drives. (which now I think I could probably live with just 3 - maybe 2)
Even on 1 GB of ram, he could do it.0
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07-30-2005, 05:17 PM #11Junior Guru
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I had a 2.8 P4 through server beach and I could barely squeak out 3 X 16 man cs servers. But when they were all full if one of them changed to a different map the others would lag. I don't know if this was specifically because of disk access or if it was cpu.
on a side note: At some point is the 90 second posting rule lifted? It can be very frustrating if you are participating in two quick moving threads when you cant post for 90 seconds
Originally posted by ScreamingEaglePC
Pentium 4 2.4 is perfectly able to handle a good server.. If he dedicates one game to each box.. rents the 2.4 boxes from layeredtech, gets them configured properly, he could very well do it.
Even on 1 GB of ram, he could do it.0
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07-30-2005, 05:21 PM #12Newbie
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I think to start only as a CS server for friends. What software will I need? Where can I find it? And for another lan games?
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07-30-2005, 05:24 PM #13Disabled
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Originally posted by DaSoul
I had a 2.8 P4 through server beach and I could barely squeak out 3 X 16 man cs servers. But when they were all full if one of them changed to a different map the others would lag. I don't know if this was specifically because of disk access or if it was cpu.
on a side note: At some point is the 90 second posting rule lifted? It can be very frustrating if you are participating in two quick moving threads when you cant post for 90 seconds
The best thing to do is to dedicate 1 game per server, or run each game during a different time of the day..
In example:
Option #1:
1 24/7 Dedicated Counter Strike 32 man server.
Option #2:
Counter Strike: 1am-5am
Battlefield 2: 5am-9am
etc etc etc.
That's the best two options to take. When you are running 3 servers on one box, you're not only jeopardizing the performance of the CPU and RAM, you're also making each one fight over the internet connection..
So, if one gets really big, the other 2 games that are running simutaneously are gonna be real real slow.
Which is why I always suggest, and always did, a round-robin style server.
Just some food for thought0
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07-30-2005, 05:25 PM #14Junior Guru
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Originally posted by olimaboys
I think to start only as a CS server for friends. What software will I need? Where can I find it? And for another lan games?
I will get you started with one....
Half-Life based servers (TFC,CS,CS,HL-DM,DOD):
http://www.steampowered.com
Half-Life Source Windows Servers
Half-Life Source Linux Servers
Half-Life Windows Servers
Half-Life Linux Servers
For other games see the respective websites/forums for each game and use Google
Originally posted by ScreamingEaglePC
Well, for one thing, you shouldn't be running 3 individual game servers on one box PERIOD. That's just unhealthy for the machine.
The best thing to do is to dedicate 1 game per server, or run each game during a different time of the day..
In example:
Option #1:
1 24/7 Dedicated Counter Strike 32 man server.
Option #2:
Counter Strike: 1am-5am
Battlefield 2: 5am-9am
etc etc etc.
That's the best two options to take. When you are running 3 servers on one box, you're not only jeopardizing the performance of the CPU and RAM, you're also making each one fight over the internet connection..
So, if one gets really big, the other 2 games that are running simutaneously are gonna be real real slow.
Which is why I always suggest, and always did, a round-robin style server.
Just some food for thought
I would never try to run 3 X 16 man cs servers on a P4. That would be plain silly. I only did it so I could find out what the system could support. A P4 in my opinion is not a system that is designed for "Game Server Hosting". Which is what the OP seemed to want to do. When your computer is connected to a burstable 10Mbit connection 3 - 16 man cs servers will hardly make a blip. You will only use about 1.8Mbit.Last edited by DaSoul; 07-30-2005 at 05:30 PM.
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07-30-2005, 05:33 PM #15Carpe Diem
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I dont know much about many games.
That statement says it all..
Heck, I always wanted to be an astronaut.. Is there a message board I can sign up for?0
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07-30-2005, 05:35 PM #16Junior Guru
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Originally posted by X-Gaming
That statement says it all..
Heck, I always wanted to be an astronaut.. Is there a message board I can sign up for?
Good catch on that stement X-Gaming I didnt even notice that portion of his post.
Spend a year working with the games and using them, installing then, and troubleshooting them and then think about becoming a GSP. Save up money while you are getting educated about games too0
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07-30-2005, 05:37 PM #17Carpe Diem
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Originally posted by ScreamingEaglePC
Well, for one thing, you shouldn't be running 3 individual game servers on one box PERIOD. That's just unhealthy for the machine.
The best thing to do is to dedicate 1 game per server, or run each game during a different time of the day..
In example:
Option #1:
1 24/7 Dedicated Counter Strike 32 man server.
Option #2:
Counter Strike: 1am-5am
Battlefield 2: 5am-9am
etc etc etc.
That's the best two options to take. When you are running 3 servers on one box, you're not only jeopardizing the performance of the CPU and RAM, you're also making each one fight over the internet connection..
So, if one gets really big, the other 2 games that are running simutaneously are gonna be real real slow.
Which is why I always suggest, and always did, a round-robin style server.
Just some food for thought
Not really effective strategy if you want to actually make any income renting games..
I have no idea where you get this "It's not healthy for the machine" junk.. It's a peice of metal not your favorite shirt.. Running multiple instances of anything is what they call "HOSTING"... Wow..
I have machines that have been running non-stop for two plus years now with multiple servers on each and not one machine has mentioned it was not "feeling good"..0
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07-30-2005, 05:38 PM #18Newbie
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Sorry about that phrase. I just mean that I intend to begin with the games I play more like CS and when I know more games I like, Id start playing them on my server.
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07-30-2005, 05:41 PM #19Junior Guru
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Not being nitpicky but what you said was...
"I want to start a small game service provider"
I saw somplace had a dual opteron 244 with 2gig of ram and maybe two drives in it with 1200 GB of bandwidth for like 200 bucks. It will get you started if all you want to do is play around.
I will have to look around to see if I can find it. I also have no idea if the company or the network that box is on is actually any good.
EDIT:
This is one that is pretty close. Not sure about the quality though. I have never hosted with them so I cant say.
http://www.layeredtech.com/order.php?packageId=64Last edited by DaSoul; 07-30-2005 at 05:44 PM.
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07-30-2005, 05:44 PM #20Newbie
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I have said $200 because I have found this P4 2.4, 2Gb Ram, 80 GB, 2000 Gb BW for $99 and thought that there was a much better server for the double of the price.
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07-30-2005, 05:47 PM #21Newbie
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Ok. With this
• 2 x 2.8GHz Intel XEON
• 2 x 80GB IDE Hard Drive or 1 x 160GB Drive
• 1024MB ECC RAM
• Bandwidth: 1500GB
how many users of CS this server handle?0
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07-30-2005, 05:50 PM #22Junior Guru
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Originally posted by olimaboys
Ok. With this
• 2 x 2.8GHz Intel XEON
• 2 x 80GB IDE Hard Drive or 1 x 160GB Drive
• 1024MB ECC RAM
• Bandwidth: 1500GB
how many users of CS this server handle?
1 - 16 man cs source server
4 - 16+ man cs 1.6 servers
1 - dod server
At peak times I would have about 45 players. And didnt blip on the cpu until there was a map change. Then it might go to only like 40% of one cpu... because the games really arent written to use dual procs.0
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07-30-2005, 05:53 PM #23Newbie
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Thank you DaSoul!!! You have finally answered what I was looking for!
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07-30-2005, 06:30 PM #24Disabled
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I apologize, I was running under the suspicion he was only doing this as a private server, and not openly for any profit.
X-Gaming, pardon me for being mis-informed. There's no need for childish sarcasm. You wanna criticize my statement, do it with a little respect.0
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07-30-2005, 06:39 PM #25Carpe Diem
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You don't have to apologize. Just don't bother posting about things you apparently cannot comprehend..
And no I wasn't being sarcastic..
Hope this helps.0