Server Newbie - Need Help!

[WaitDontSh00t]

Hey LTT! 

 

I have come to LTT many times and you guys are always so nice and helpful, you have never failed me! I have my new PC I built not too long ago and I am loving it. 

 

Recently, my friends and I have been talking about starting a server for some games possibly. This is a completely new area I am coming into and have no idea what I am doing just researching some of this stuff, which is way I am here haha. I have a feeling that a server PC is pretty much the same as my PC for example, except maybe being set up a different way or having different parts. 

 

If I were actually going to be making a server box, I wanted to explore all the possibilities and get some help on potential costs or any other recommendations you guys may have.

My speeds are typically 80+Mbps Download with a 11+Mbps Upload.

 

What I would be doing with the server (That is, if setting servers up and running them isn't too difficult).

- TeamSpeak 3 

- Game Servers (ex: ArmA 3, Garry's Mod [Heavily Modded, Custom Server], etc..)

 

----

 

I have no clue how many people I would be able to support nor do I know how their general connection would be, especially if far away. Is it usually expensive to set something up to support this? Is it easy to set servers up/maintain things?

 

Yes..I have a lot more questions, but those are some for now with some information too. I hope you guys can help me out, as I'd love to hear your opinions and recommendations.

Thank you in advance!

[manikyath]

few things i wanna clear up at first:

- DONT host anything public at home, rent a box in a datacenter if you want to do so.

- DONT go to game hosting companies, they all suck.

- game servers dont need graphics cards, anyone who will tell you they do is either a terrible programmer, or has no idea what they're on about.

- *if* your services of choice can run on linux, please for the love of god toss linux on your server.