Which OS for a gaming server

[spamsgood]

Hey guys,

 

So I'm wanting to set up an old system as a temporary dedicated game server(mostly Arma 3, and a discord server). It's a Dell XPS 420 with a core 2 duo quad core processor(q6600 I believe). So definitely not the most top of the line. This is just until ether I upgrade in March and my current rig (4790k 32gb ram) replaces it, or I pick up a Dell powerEdge. 

 

Which OS should I use? As part of my school I have access to the MSDN and basically all Microsoft operating systems with my own licenses for free. All versions of windows 7-10, as well as all Microsoft servers 2008-2016. 

 

I'm kinda new so I want something that will allow me to learn. Next semester I'm taking my windows server classes so I'm not super familiar with it yet. 

 

TL;DR  for my older system, what OS would you recommend and why for a game server?

 

Thank you for your time,

[AnonymousGuy]

Regular desktop Windows versions work a-ok.  Both of my servers are running Win7 x64.

 

Just a quick google indicates the server versions support enterprise level features that you'll never want to bother setting up in a home environment.

[crowy]

My home FileServer/GameServer is running Server 2008R2 on an i5 (can't recall the rest of the specs off hand atm, I'm at work) mostly MineCraft, it also is running a WSUS server currently, however I'm considering removing that as most of the PCs in the house are migrating/migrated to Windows 10 that has built in Patch Sharing between them.

[jj9987]

Personally I would go Linux any day as long as game servers are available for Linux. Mainly because Linux is more flexible, customizable and more convenient.

I used CentOS7 to run CSGO game servers during last LAN party and all VMs (11 of them) worked perfectly with some provisioning.

 

But that's my opinion. I just don't see a reason to use Windows Server for game servers, unless dedicated servers can only be run on Windows Server.

[fjdhdhcyfhf]

use whatever you want to learn