Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Choice of server specs - 2 servers or 1?

[benseb]

Hi

I currently run a website on a single machine (dual P3 1.3Ghz, 1Gb ram, 2x73Gb SCSI disks in raid, freebsd) and im looking to upgrade.

The main problem at the moment seems to be when the site is very busy, mysql tends to become unstable, even after lots of tuning. The server loads arent very high (only about 2-3 but its dual processor) but its instability is causing issues

The question is, do we either:

Scrap this server, and move to a new higher spec machine (Xeon P4 3.2Ghz, 2x73Gb SCSI, 2Gb ram)

or

Get another one of these lower spec servers, keep the existing and move Mysql onto the new server and keep http on the existing server?

The only other problem is that the lower spec servers use old memory (133) so its expensive to upgrade - so would be difficult to go above 1Gb on each. However, we can get two of these for the price of the one higher spec machine - more lower spec machines, or just one high spec, more expandable machine?

[benseb]

anyone any ideas?

cheers

[RackPoint-Morgan]

I think either would work, but I would go with the P4 to keep things at one server.

[benseb]

Cheers for that, anyone else?

I was thinking 2 servers offers better performance due to the 4 processors, as opposed to just 2. I suppose a lot of it comes down to personal preference?

Maintaining 2 servers isnt really a time concern, its really making sure we make the right decision for performance of the site

[Woooo]

Dont go for 2 servers, get an opteron 170 or greater with atleast 2 GB RAM, and get 2 harddisk setups, Single Raptor for Webserver and RAID1 for DB its going to be great