P4 'c' chip. Dual-channel memory kicks AMD's ass for memory bandwidth (which helps on a server), in addition to HyperThreading (dual-cpu emulation) which allows the server to stay fairly lag-free while doing other tasks (generating stats, running admin tools, etc.)

Unless you get a dual opteron, you're better off running a P4 IMO. Dual CPU's really help FLServers and P4's the cheapest way to go if you want to set one up. Sure, the newest AMD's are super-fast (faster than the fastest Intels in most cases) but when the hyperthreading and memory bandwidth kicks in, benchmarks posted on the internet aren't an adequate representation of the system's performance, especially when running a server

I used to run IONCROSS on an overclocked XP tbred chip running at 2.2 GHz and it wasn't nearly as good as the P4 was when I switched. Get a hold of a 2.4C or a 2.6C and overclock it to at least 3.3 and if you've got a good enough pipe (and a gig of ram) you can serve a ton of players without lag.

But I'm an Intel guy. I may be biased. But I HAVE tried AMD and ran it for several months to give it a chance. AMD's a cheap alternative, but Intel's almost as cheap these days and worth the bit of extra cash.

-- JoeBoomz
IONCROSS

EDIT: Speeling fickses

Edited by - JoeBoomz on 3/3/2004 10:33:23 PM

Related question: What internet conn do you use (for servers)?

Here comes one of those cheap guys, Joe!

I run a Barton (0.13 um technology) Athlon 2500 (1.826 GHz, FSB 166 MHz) overclocked to a 3200 (2.205 GHz, FSB 200 MHz) with an nForce2 motherboard (m/b) with the first two DIMM slots each filled with Infineon 512 MB DDR400 (PC3200) DIMMs. The Athlon is a later than 2003 week 39 chip so that means it's 11.0 multiplier is locked on the CPU and cannot be changed by the m/b through the BIOS. Hence my only option for overclocking was faster memory, not increasing the multiplier. I have upped the CPU voltage 0.10 vdc but the pure copper Thermalright SLK-947U heatsink keeps temperatures well under 40C and have added an extra case fan (cool blue light!). The nForce2 chipset also pushes data faster when the first two DIMM slots are filled. With this 'puter dedicated only as a FL server and the 1 GB memory, the other system components like the HDD are not a significant factor in server performance. What can I get out of it? Well currently I am limited by my ADSL uplink which translates as a bit of lag but at 21 players there is still CPU utilization headroom. I am getting cable as well (tomorrow!)and while I can't have the server across both Internet connections , the cable has a faster uplink so I think I can push it to 25 players.

My first try at putting this together resulted in using a PCChips m/b which would randomly blue screen and a 1 GB stick of generic memory that was convinced it was 512 MB. I got a better quality Abit nForce2 m/b and good, faster memory (not generic) so while my costs have resulted in a box costing about $600, easily 2/3rds of that was everything m/b related - CPU, m/b, memory and heatsink.

I buy nothing but AMD in the last 10 years and have never been disappointed. Have put together dozens of systems for friends and family (besides the four current systems I have) and it is the best bang for the buck IMHO.

---------------
Earendil
SysAdmin of Boston Freelancer server
See server rules and server news for more info.

Personally I'm a reformed Intel Guy. My first and 2nd CPU's were INTEL and they just got blown away by the AMD that I purchased after that and have stayed since with.

My current Server Configuration is a Single CPU server unit.

AMD 2100XP
1 Gig PC2700 DDR
ASUS A7V333 Raid Mobo
20gig & 80gig HD's (The 20 stores the accounts, the 80 stores the gaming files)
both HD's running at UDMA 100 both drives are also 7200 RPM spindle which does make a diff over the standard 5k series drives

My server max at this time is only 15, my players don't complain about lag ever being much of an issue until too many modders create memory lag. I used to run at 25 on only a 300kbps upstream DSL connection. Now I am on digital cable, but my upstream is capped to only about 225kbps.

I'd like to point out again since I know I've said this before on a CPU thread several months ago. It does not matter what CPU you use, as there are only 2 companies that make them. Your server's capacity will be affected by system ram available, ram installed, and your bandwidth upstream. CPU helps a little, but one has to wonder how one such as myself is running 2.5 year old tech, and I'm having no lag or very little-moderate during cheaters run of the server.

And there is one thing right in Joe's post above, don't go by internet posted results, and definitely don't go by the manufacturers results of their CPU's because depending on the server setup will depend on how well your machine will or won't do.

Skyevalen - Admin/Server Op
Hunters Association
http://www.sccommand.com/hunters/