Value for Money Server

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greggpb

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Looking to purchase a server for work.
Ms SQL Server for Ops System and For our Accoutning Package..
Max 15 Users.

Any remocmndation on server specs or any deal running at the moment could we look at second hand hardware and os..

Currently using
P4 3.4ghz with 4 gigz ram on windows server 2003
 
Just out of interest, how is the current box performing? Its really difficult to put specs down not exactly knowing the current workload on cpu, disks and memory. Might be worth it to check with Accpac also on recommended specs for your setup.
 
Current system is working, but it is one box running to application servers and 4 databases on a SQL Expres, our bottle neck at the moment is the queries so we are looking at a dedicated SQL server with standard editions and leaving the application servers on the old boxs for the moment...
 
Gees, the ratings for that software are damn low. If you're looking for a server, I'd go with something like this:

Intel Core i3-3220 @ R1294
Intel DH77EB EB Lake @ R1043
Transcend JetRam 8GB DDR3-1333 @ R688
Intel 330 MLC 120GB @ R1407
Western Digital Caviar Red 1TB x2 (RAID 1) @ R1724
LG GH24NS90 24x SATA @ R169
Antec Neo Eco, 450w @ R572
Cooler Master Elite 344 @ R313
2.5" SSD to 3.5" bracket @ R63
Total: R7273

I built up something very similar for a customer once for use as both a Pastel server and part-time workstation. Its still running without a hitch after 24/7 use over two years. The SSD makes a huge difference for applications loaded on it and the RAID array can be used for backup storage, keeping the SQL files on it and anything else you can think of, even shared file storage.

The Core i3 is also very, very capable and for your use I think it's pretty much overkill. All this is a bit moot if you need a rackmount server, though.
 
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Have a look at the HP ML series servers. Not too long ago, the base model Xeon servers were pretty reasonable. I believe that they have discontinued a couple of the models (ML110, ML150 I think) but presumeably will offer something instead.

A server based on desktop hardware is fine in so far as it goes but I always feel it better to go with server grade hardware if your budget allows.
 
InvisibleJim said:
Have a look at the HP ML series servers. Not too long ago, the base model Xeon servers were pretty reasonable. I believe that they have discontinued a couple of the models (ML110, ML150 I think) but presumeably will offer something instead.

A server based on desktop hardware is fine in so far as it goes but I always feel it better to go with server grade hardware if your budget allows.
Click to expand...

+1. If reliability is important, go for server grade hardware. HP ML110 and Ml150 are very good value for money entry level servers.
 
HP and Dell are expensive but obviously good. Lately I've bought Supermicro servers. Have bought a few in the last 2 years and no problems.

Remember that SQL loves disk performance, so proper raid with at least 10k rpm drives will help.

And please don't go with a i3 CPU :wtf:
 
adidas said:
And please don't go with a i3 CPU :wtf:
Click to expand...

Considering that OP did say he was looking into second hand stuff, they probably don't have a big budget set aside for it. Besides, if their main bottleneck is storage (and they seem to be happy enough with a P4, fwiw) I think it should be fine. A proper server with RAID 5 would be ideal but not a lot companies have the resources for that.
 
I'm actually wondering if the new HP Microserver might suffice as it would probably be the cheapest option. I'd prefer to spend more and get something with a bit more grunt but it might just about do the job as a dedicated DB server in this situation. Might even be worth looking at one to replace the P4.
 
NAG - Wesley said:
Considering that OP did say he was looking into second hand stuff, they probably don't have a big budget set aside for it. Besides, if their main bottleneck is storage (and they seem to be happy enough with a P4, fwiw) I think it should be fine. A proper server with RAID 5 would be ideal but not a lot companies have the resources for that.
Click to expand...

Yeah.. still wouldn't go with the i3. :) (And I didn't say raid5, that's prob the slowest raid setup for sql)
 
adidas said:
HP and Dell are expensive but obviously good. Lately I've bought Supermicro servers. Have bought a few in the last 2 years and no problems.

Remember that SQL loves disk performance, so proper raid with at least 10k rpm drives will help.

And please don't go with a i3 CPU :wtf:
Click to expand...


The HP ML150 that I bought in Feb 2012 was just under 7K ex vat plus hard disks plus some extra RAM. Not overly expensive for what it is but of course this was before the exchange rate went South.
 
i have the ffg components from a server:
Intel Xeon E5335 2.00Ghz CPU
2 sticks of 2Gb server RAM (Samsung 2GB 2R*4 PC2-5300F)
Seagate SAS HD 146GB 15000rpm


i want R700 for all
im in Durban
 
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