Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Specialty Hosting and Markets : Game Servers : Game-servers on an Atom Processor

[BLUEPEPSi]

Hello everyone,

I know that atom processors weren't meant to host game-servers, but since the price went down on them lately, I would like to know if you could host a quality server off these machines, and the quantity of them.

So, let's say I want to host 100tic TF2 servers on Intel Atom 330 Dual-Core 1.6GHz with 2GB of ram, 2TB Bandwidth(which I don't think matters in this case), and 100mbps port.

So again, my questions were, how many servers would I be able to host, and would the gameplay be any smooth?

Hope you understand my question

[ServerOrigin]

I play tons of games, thousands of dollars in gaming consoles...

I still had to look up what TF2 was I doubt you'll find many answers on this. In either case, it's probably not been tested. The atom is powerful for it's purpose but doesn't get anywhere close to real processing power required for most games. However, game hosting is different. It really depends on what kind of resources it requires... *shrug* no idea the specs.

[PCS-Chris]

I cant give you any specifics, but I will say that I wouldnt bother trying to host gameservers on an Atom.

The main drawback is going to be the tiny amount of cache you have. I may be completely wrong as I've not done any gameservers for a while, but I doubt it will handle more than a single 12/16 slot 100tick server.

For single apps Atoms can perform well, but even with hyperthreading they are just not that good for running lots of thing simultaniously.

[nemore]

use phenom amd is always a cheaper option and with the new x6 (6 cores) from just £155 for the processor you cant really go wrong. beats the i7920 so thats what i would advise.

[yourwebhostereu]

You're lucky when you get one game server running on the Atom, but I would say no. It also depends on how many slots you want.

[XFactorServers]

Originally Posted by yourwebhostereu

You're lucky when you get one game server running on the Atom, but I would say no. It also depends on how many slots you want.

Pretty much, Atom's are garbage for game servers. Also TF2 doesn't run at 100tick.

[mTx - MC]

Bare minimum should really be a decent dual core CPU for game servers, depending on the number of game servers and slots you are looking at running a quad core is even better

[BLUEPEPSi]

Originally Posted by XFactorServers

Pretty much, Atom's are garbage for game servers. Also TF2 doesn't run at 100tick.

Thanks for that input, so I am guessing the best and cheapest way to run the servers is from quad cores and dual quad cores with lots of ram?

[yourwebhostereu]

Originally Posted by BLUEPEPSi

Thanks for that input, so I am guessing the best and cheapest way to run the servers is from quad cores and dual quad cores with lots of ram?

At least normal dual cores to start with.

[BLUEPEPSi]

Originally Posted by yourwebhostereu

At least normal dual cores to start with.

Any specific specifications for the dual cores?

[yourwebhostereu]

Originally Posted by BLUEPEPSi

Any specific specifications for the dual cores?

Yes, server CPU's and no desktop/Atom stuf. Although Desktop stuf can stil be used, but it isn't designed to function in a server.

If you want to play safe: order a server with a hi-end CPU, at least XEON nehalem or even better.

[avizzle]

I think I'm going to start offering fax machines to run game servers on.

[yourwebhostereu]

Originally Posted by avizzle

I think I'm going to start offering fax machines to run game servers on.

Why not Phones ^^ Saw a vid a few days ago with the Google Nexus one connected to a screen, why not running game servers instead

[FibernetServers]

Running a TF2 server on a Atom is not a good idea.

If you are looking for a cheap cpu solution, i would recommend AMD.

[Chalex4]

Running servers on an Atom processor would not be the most cost efficient method at all.

Having said that, it all depends on the tickrate and slot size of the servers you're running. There's a possibility that a 16 slot server may be OK though, as game servers are mainly RAM reliant.