Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Two choices: Faster CPU or more RAM? (forum site)

[Oskare100]

Hello,
I have to choose between two old servers for a forum site with MySQL.

Server 1:
Celeron ~1.0Ghz
128MB RAM
IDE HDD

Server 2:
Pentium 3 ~400mhz
256mb RAM
IDE HDD

Which configuration should I choose for best performance?

Best Regards
Oskar R

[net]

For Me?

Server 2:
Pentium 3 ~400mhz
256mb RAM
IDE HDD

[Laws]

Both of those servers will be pretty slow if its a busy forum...

I'd go with Server #2 for RAM....but really, there's not much in it...

[Oskare100]

Hello,
Yes, I'm aware of that but the forum isn't that big yet so I don't need/can't afford to upgrade the server yet. Any other suggestions? Chould I choose server 2 becasue of the RAM then?

Regards

[stephanhughson]

I'd go for the ram, but you might want to choose server 1, then upgrade the ram later when you can.

For a busy forum, you need loads more though. 512 minimum, 1 gigabyte if you can + !

[PixelManual]

Why not go for a VPS or a decent shared hosting solution?

The celerons have always sucked, i see the p3 doing better and the extra ram without a doubt will help. #2

[devonblzx]

I agree, look for a VPS solution until you need a dedicated system...those systems won't give you anything a VPS won't.

[Oskare100]

Hello,
The question is which one of the above mentioned servers I should choose, not if I should consider other solutions. I don't pay anything for non of these servers for the moment because I've already prepaid the co-locations space and that why I will use one of them until I need to upgrade.

I think I'll go with server 2, thanks for your replies.

Regards

[ComplexDrive]

I would go with option 1, the Celeron Server with 1Ghz, in this case more memory on a slower cpu does not out do a less memory on a faster cpu

[Oskare100]

Hello,
OK, so now I've got:
Server 1:
ComplexDrive

Server 2:
PixelManual
stephanhughson
Laws
net

I would go with option 1, the Celeron Server with 1Ghz, in this case more memory on a slower cpu does not out do a less memory on a faster cpu

Anyone else agree with ComplexDrive? Is the CPU too slow in the Server 2?

Regads

[ImZan]

The problem with the servers you've put up for comparison is that both choices are quite bad. If you get a faster CPU, you don't have enough ram to sufficiently accomodate more users. If you choose more ram, you don't have enough cpu speed to make the best of the ram OR be quite possibly of a slower type of ram. I would wager that both would actually end up running with equal number of users on the server at semi equal load. If I had to choose, I would go with the Celeron 1.0.

My reasoning is that it's a lot easier to upgrade to a little extra ram.

[Shock Hosts]

I wouldn't bother with a dedicated server such as that.... If you need power, you need an up-to-date server, but if you don't need power, than you do NOT need a dedicated server.

[Oskare100]

Hello,
joshcrick, please read my third post where I explain why I will go with one of these servers.

Regards

[Oskare100]

Hello again,
I've made my choise. I'll go with the celeron becasue I've got an extra 128mb RAM to it from the datacenter it's co-located in as a gift.

Thanks for your help...
Regards

[Shock Hosts]

Well that's nice of them.