Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Specialty Hosting and Markets : Game Servers : Building a dedicated server

[Sc00by22]

I'm currently look at building my own dediated server for a gaming community that I am wanting to start up. I have £1,500 coming into my hand next much so my budget is pretty good(I hope)

I'm looking for this dedicated server to be co-located at RapidSwitch at £36/mo. Saying that it'll need to be 1U and use 0.4amps, if I need more power that's fine.

I'm looking for a dedicated server that will hold a lot of servers(CSS, TF2 ect).

What I'm looking for:

• An 8-core processor(i7)
• RAM I'm thinking of about 8gb(1066Mhz+?), maybe more but it depends on the cost.
• Motherboard I have no idea about.(2 NIC's preferably)
• Hard drive I can probably pick myself but I would like recommendations(150GB+, 10,000RPM+)
• PSU, I have no idea about these
• A 1U chasis, no idea about this one either

Thanks in advance

[cyberhouse]

just wanted to point out the I7 is not a 8 core cpu.

[MooreAdmin]

More than likely need to up your power budget, the server your describing could be in the 1-2a range.

[net]

Moved > Game Servers.

[erectvps]

Might it be better to use your budget to rent dedicated servers? What happens when you need to expand? What does your business plan say?

[Sc00by22]

Renting a dedicated server would be more expensive in the long run which I don't want. I don't have a business plan because it's a personal community and not a business. If I needed an upgrade I would just buy new hardware. I can certainly up my power allowance.

[DATARTIM]

Your likely looking at over an amp for that sort of config.

Have you looked at Dell or some Supermicro vendors as opposed to self build ?

[Sc00by22]

I don't really know any vendors in the UK, I especially don't know any that deal with high spec machines for game servers. Could you link me a few?

[tim2718281]

Originally Posted by PulseArray

Renting a dedicated server would be more expensive in the long run which I don't want.

That seems unlikely. For example, you can get an 8GB i7 with dual 7.2K RPM disks from Hetzner for 49 Euros a month.

I expect Rapidswitch will charge you more than that, just for the 1U of rack space, power, and network traffic.

[Sc00by22]

Originally Posted by tim2718281

That seems unlikely. For example, you can get an 8GB i7 with dual 7.2K RPM disks from Hetzner for 49 Euros a month.

I expect Rapidswitch will charge you more than that, just for the 1U of rack space, power, and network traffic.

Have you seen how much traffic they allow you to use? Their most expensive server only has 30GB of traffic. That won't be enough for my needs.

[tim2718281]

Originally Posted by PulseArray

Have you seen how much traffic they allow you to use? Their most expensive server only has 30GB of traffic. That won't be enough for my needs.

Who, Rapidswitch or Hetzner?

The base offerings are with 3000GB of monthly traffic for Rapidswitch rack space, 2000GB for Hetzner servers.

[BrianFarrell]

Originally Posted by PulseArray

Renting a dedicated server would be more expensive in the long run which I don't want. I don't have a business plan because it's a personal community and not a business. If I needed an upgrade I would just buy new hardware. I can certainly up my power allowance.

This depends on what your idea of long run is. You're best to find a dedicated server of comparable or equal specs to the one you want, and see what it's going for each month with a good host (remember, network is important here since latency is key) to compare. Colocation may be cheaper with a budget host in the long run, but not necessarily on a good network. Colocation also incldues your misc. costs like remote hands, replacement of hardware, installations, etc.

Also keep in mind technology changes fast, and so do resource requirements for game servers. It's almost always going to be cheaper to upgrade to a higher power dedicated server as opposed to upgrading individual parts in your colo'd one. This should also factor into your costs as you don't want to be running a dinosaur two years from now because you made the wrong decision initially.

A few years ago, your decision would be unquestionably correct if you could afford the machine outright. Today the game has changed and colocation really only caters to those larger, cabinet+ type clients.

Alas, that rant is solely for a cost point of view. As for your actual questions:

Processor: i7 works
RAM: 8GB+ for what you want to host (TF2 will be a memory hog). It's cheap enough where you can go the extra mile, this will help a lot
Motherboard: Anything SuperMicro
HDD: Gameservers aren't terrible read/write intensive, you can get away with 10kRPM drives.
PSU: Usually will be included in chassis
Chassis: SuperMicro SC811 or SC812

Good luck

[Sc00by22]

I'm not too sure about the SSD, will I need it for just running game servers and a smallish webserver/forum?

So far I've got the following:

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 D0 2.66GHz Socket 1366 8MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor
RAM: Corsair 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz XMS3 Memory CL9(9-9-9-24)
HDD: Kingston SSD V+ Series 64GB 2.5" SATAII Solid State Drive

[FrankLaszlo]

SSD is a luxury and would certainly help when running game servers. However, its not required.

I would follow the advise of what others have said and look for at leasing quality dedicated server.

From what I have found, collocation doesn't start to make sense until you have several servers, or have a large amount of upfront capital. Since you're working with a relatively small amount, you would get much more for your money by just leasing.

[Sc00by22]

As I will be using this server for years to come surely it would be worth buying my own? A server that I am looking for will cost £160+ a month when I could just build my own for £700 and pay £40-60 colo.