Ideas for Power-Efficient Server.

[d3sl91]

Hey All,

 

Usually i am the one helping in this sub-forum, but this particular topic is not where my expertise lies (Low power, etc).

 

I am looking to build a server for a clan. I have had servers in the past, and could easily go out and build one, no issues, but we are wanting something as small, quiet, low-power, and efficient as possible. Cheapest as possible is also helpful.

As you'll see below, we already have most of the parts via donations etc, just need a CPU and Motherboard.

 

 

What we want:

 

1. Low Power Consumption, even at high loads. 

2. Quiet

3. Cool

4. Small (ITX or mATX is preferred)

5. Don't really need server-grade components, but wouldn't hurt.

 

What we will do with it:

 

1x TS3 Server. 20 players max (potentially more, but doubtful).

 

1x Minecraft server. Again, 20 players ish.

 

1x Insurgency Server or other SOURCE powered game.

 

Capability for one more Server, for SOURCE powered, or Indie games. 

 

 

What we are currently running:

 

1. AM2 mITX Board (2x 2GB slots, so, more than 4GB ram is not possible)

2. Phenom x3 8450 2.1GHz Tri-Core @ 95W

3. 3GB DDR2

 

Parts we already have for a newer system:

1. 16GB DDR3

2. Hard drives

3. Cases.

4. Powersupplies

5. GPUs if necessary.

5. An FM2+ Board (board might be iffy, so, not set on FM2+ as a platform, so feel free to ignore this)

[DarrenP]

Asrock C2750D4i. 

 

[AMICLG]

I'd go for an i3, they support ECC if you want to go that route and are cheap/low power consumption. Are all these game servers going to be run at the same time or just one at a time?

[d3sl91]

I'd go for an i3, they support ECC if you want to go that route and are cheap/low power consumption. Are all these game servers going to be run at the same time or just one at a time?

 

Good point, yes, at least 3 of them will be running at the same time. Wether they are all used at the same time.. probably not, but at least idling. 

[DarrenP]

I'd go for an i3, they support ECC if you want to go that route and are cheap/low power consumption. Are all these game servers going to be run at the same time or just one at a time?

The don't all support ECC.

[DarrenP]

Good point, yes, at least 3 of them will be running at the same time. Wether they are all used at the same time.. probably not, but at least idling. 

Yeah, don't go with an i3. 3 separate servers running at the same time? grab a low power quad core xeon with HT. Like the E3-1240L V3: http://ark.intel.com/products/80912/Intel-Xeon-Processor-E3-1240L-v3-8M-Cache-2_00-GHz

[AMICLG]

The don't all support ECC.

No only the Haswell i3's support ECC, you just need a server board.

[DarrenP]

No only the Haswell i3's support ECC, you just need a server board.

So where is your source that ALL Haswell I3's support ECC. Just because you get a server motherboard doesn't mean ECC is supported  by the cpu. 

[brob]

It comes down to how much one wishes to spend. An i3-4150T at 35W TDP has the lowest draw, but may not provide ideal performance. One of the i5 or i7 S models at 54W and 65W respectively would be better, but they are more expensive and have higher power requirements.

 

You may also want to consider going with low power DDR3 memory parts.

 

Using an ssd as the primary drive will also help to reduce power consumption. If cost were not an issue an all ssd system would be ideal.

 

An 80+ Gold or better psu is also a good choice for a low power system. Seasonic makes a number of sub-400W 80+ Gold psu.

[AMICLG]

So where is your source that ALL Haswell I3's support ECC. Just because you get a server motherboard doesn't mean ECC is supported  by the cpu. 

Look at the ArkIntel page on the Haswell i3's they all support ECC.

[DarrenP]

Look at the ArkIntel page on the Haswell i3's they all support ECC.

Already looked there. Not all of them support ECC.