searching for anyone smart about server hosting pc specs

[OliverSylvarus]

I'm currently searching for a cheap second computer to run dedicated game server on games like Conan exile, ark and 7 days to die, I know the base line specs are 16gbs of ram and a ryzen 5 or i5.. I've been seeing cheap mini PC options with 16-32gbs of ram that contain n95/97 processors are any of these good for potentially running a game server? ive been told an i3 is a good option and doing research the n97 is very similar.. just searching for information that'll teach me!

[[STD]Random Lead]

Cheap is relative. Would help to know your budget and what you consider cheap.

[[COS]Puff|)r@g0nZ]

typically each user uses 2 gigs of ram, good luck.

[OliverSylvarus]

Originally posted by STDRandom Lead:

Cheap is relative. Would help to know your budget and what you consider cheap.

my main pc was 2k I consider cheap anything of good quality thats under 500... my budget for this second pc is around 300 but I dont wanna have to spend more than 250 lol

[[COS]Puff|)r@g0nZ]

Originally posted by OliverSylvarus:

Originally posted by STDRandom Lead:

Cheap is relative. Would help to know your budget and what you consider cheap.

my main pc was 2k I consider cheap anything of good quality thats under 500... my budget for this second pc is around 300 but I dont wanna have to spend more than 250 lol

Just rent a server then. 250 dollars is like 5 pizzas in Canada, now that's cheap.

[[STD]Random Lead]

Originally posted by OliverSylvarus:

Originally posted by STDRandom Lead:

Cheap is relative. Would help to know your budget and what you consider cheap.

my main pc was 2k I consider cheap anything of good quality thats under 500... my budget for this second pc is around 300 but I dont wanna have to spend more than 250 lol

second hand market and build it yourself. No premade will meet a server usage scenario at 250 bucks even second hand. Maybe you can find components to put together.

Was hoping you were going to say 1 grand is cheap. Wouldve recommended my 2060 laptop at a grand. 250 is i have no clue territory.

like puff said gl.

[[STD]Random Lead]

Well ill be damned. A decent, no where near great but still functional, computer exists.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Optiplex-Desktop-Excellent-Condition/dp/B08X1KKVCZ/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GjLqL72IYUbIWAM-i43oRvnCrfHizfMS9HtQAqerQwybbpFIyhYdnKvtJYA4HFYdgVbfsJMPgqsetdiEV4XgS8yDGzoj07aKVYItm_HOoNuBi1GAtmJz0420rAO2sg2jxnCpuYyo8eF4TNPmRQfkoO348B-jl8Z-30M8XkuYVqN-iN5_XtIrsJYCfXzVAUDtV0sh_SCYYK3WnExQy9RcurQTeoqhIn0NcHVC8qsApio.GGLM_IhAd5R_TN1I-Bj5nSR8YzRlS6jb67JdzhM2Pho&dib_tag=se&hvadid=692760905026&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9192652&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16844968922278524904&hvtargid=kwd-296973403436&hydadcr=25655_13467916&keywords=best%2Brefurbished%2Bpc&qid=1730737401&sr=8-3&th=1

Since it is for a server the gfx card is not the important part. You will be running code not gfx.

I would suggest perusing amazon and walmart. I personally cant vouch for the seller but this is a nice starting point.

[[COS]Puff|)r@g0nZ]

Originally posted by STDRandom Lead:

Well ill be damned. A decent, no where near great but still functional, computer exists.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Optiplex-Desktop-Excellent-Condition/dp/B08X1KKVCZ/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GjLqL72IYUbIWAM-i43oRvnCrfHizfMS9HtQAqerQwybbpFIyhYdnKvtJYA4HFYdgVbfsJMPgqsetdiEV4XgS8yDGzoj07aKVYItm_HOoNuBi1GAtmJz0420rAO2sg2jxnCpuYyo8eF4TNPmRQfkoO348B-jl8Z-30M8XkuYVqN-iN5_XtIrsJYCfXzVAUDtV0sh_SCYYK3WnExQy9RcurQTeoqhIn0NcHVC8qsApio.GGLM_IhAd5R_TN1I-Bj5nSR8YzRlS6jb67JdzhM2Pho&dib_tag=se&hvadid=692760905026&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9192652&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16844968922278524904&hvtargid=kwd-296973403436&hydadcr=25655_13467916&keywords=best%2Brefurbished%2Bpc&qid=1730737401&sr=8-3&th=1

Since it is for a server the gfx card is not the important part. You will be running code not gfx.

I would suggest perusing amazon and walmart. I personally cant vouch for the seller but this is a nice starting point.

Originally posted by STDRandom Lead:

Well ill be damned. A decent, no where near great but still functional, computer exists.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Optiplex-Desktop-Excellent-Condition/dp/B08X1KKVCZ/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GjLqL72IYUbIWAM-i43oRvnCrfHizfMS9HtQAqerQwybbpFIyhYdnKvtJYA4HFYdgVbfsJMPgqsetdiEV4XgS8yDGzoj07aKVYItm_HOoNuBi1GAtmJz0420rAO2sg2jxnCpuYyo8eF4TNPmRQfkoO348B-jl8Z-30M8XkuYVqN-iN5_XtIrsJYCfXzVAUDtV0sh_SCYYK3WnExQy9RcurQTeoqhIn0NcHVC8qsApio.GGLM_IhAd5R_TN1I-Bj5nSR8YzRlS6jb67JdzhM2Pho&dib_tag=se&hvadid=692760905026&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9192652&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16844968922278524904&hvtargid=kwd-296973403436&hydadcr=25655_13467916&keywords=best%2Brefurbished%2Bpc&qid=1730737401&sr=8-3&th=1

Since it is for a server the gfx card is not the important part. You will be running code not gfx.

I would suggest perusing amazon and walmart. I personally cant vouch for the seller but this is a nice starting point.

Yes but its a dell, they are notoriously cheap and ♥♥♥♥♥♥. Still why not I guess. /me shrugs

[GreyJan]

I've hosted many game servers from home over the years starting with an i5-4690K, moving up to a i7-4790K, and recently I jumped to a R7 5700X in my server.

If you want to save money, make sure you get something with an iGPU to avoid the extra cost of a graphics card, and don't cheap out on memory amount. 16GB is not going to be enough for hosting ARK (evolved or ascended, even with a single map).

As for 7DTD, you'll be fine with 16GB with a minimum of a modern 4 core processor with SMT, but I wouldn't recommend the N97 or N95, they're just not going to be powerful enough.

If you're able to DIY it and already have a spare GFX, look at Ryzen 5000 as it, the motherboards, and DDR4 are now extremely cheap. I'm not familiar with shops outside the UK, but here you can get some extremely good value motherboard, cpu and ram bundles so I imagine it's the same in most countries. I got my 5700X, B550 and 8GB of RAM for $190 incl. tax and shipping (thanks in no small part to a major price glitch that I took advantage of), then spent an extra $50 on additional RAM.

If you want to look at used, ideally look for Intel's 8th Gen+, as they began increasing their core count with that generaton, and they also buffed the iGPUs capabilities that generation which is great if you plan on doing any media related activities in the future.

Finally, make sure you know how the basics of DHCP reservation and port forwarding, and make sure that your router can do both of these, as you won't be able to host some games without manually port forwarding, I had to for both ARK and 7DTD.

[OliverSylvarus]

Originally posted by COSPuff|)r@g0nZ:

Originally posted by OliverSylvarus:

my main pc was 2k I consider cheap anything of good quality thats under 500... my budget for this second pc is around 300 but I dont wanna have to spend more than 250 lol

Just rent a server then. 250 dollars is like 5 pizzas in Canada, now that's cheap.

id rather host a server whenever I want vs pay for something I wont enjoy

[OliverSylvarus]

Originally posted by STDRandom Lead:

Originally posted by OliverSylvarus:

my main pc was 2k I consider cheap anything of good quality thats under 500... my budget for this second pc is around 300 but I dont wanna have to spend more than 250 lol

second hand market and build it yourself. No premade will meet a server usage scenario at 250 bucks even second hand. Maybe you can find components to put together.

Was hoping you were going to say 1 grand is cheap. Wouldve recommended my 2060 laptop at a grand. 250 is i have no clue territory.

like puff said gl.

2060? assuming thats a gpu thats worth like 400$ today alone but even then I have no need for a gpu if the computer is going to be used souly for hosting a server

[OliverSylvarus]

Originally posted by STDRandom Lead:

Well ill be damned. A decent, no where near great but still functional, computer exists.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Optiplex-Desktop-Excellent-Condition/dp/B08X1KKVCZ/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GjLqL72IYUbIWAM-i43oRvnCrfHizfMS9HtQAqerQwybbpFIyhYdnKvtJYA4HFYdgVbfsJMPgqsetdiEV4XgS8yDGzoj07aKVYItm_HOoNuBi1GAtmJz0420rAO2sg2jxnCpuYyo8eF4TNPmRQfkoO348B-jl8Z-30M8XkuYVqN-iN5_XtIrsJYCfXzVAUDtV0sh_SCYYK3WnExQy9RcurQTeoqhIn0NcHVC8qsApio.GGLM_IhAd5R_TN1I-Bj5nSR8YzRlS6jb67JdzhM2Pho&dib_tag=se&hvadid=692760905026&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9192652&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16844968922278524904&hvtargid=kwd-296973403436&hydadcr=25655_13467916&keywords=best%2Brefurbished%2Bpc&qid=1730737401&sr=8-3&th=1

Since it is for a server the gfx card is not the important part. You will be running code not gfx.

I would suggest perusing amazon and walmart. I personally cant vouch for the seller but this is a nice starting point.

yes ive already got plenty off amazon, im not here to shop, im here to learn and get my question answered

[OliverSylvarus]

Originally posted by GreyJan:

I've hosted many game servers from home over the years starting with an i5-4690K, moving up to a i7-4790K, and recently I jumped to a R7 5700X in my server.

If you want to save money, make sure you get something with an iGPU to avoid the extra cost of a graphics card, and don't cheap out on memory amount. 16GB is not going to be enough for hosting ARK (evolved or ascended, even with a single map).

As for 7DTD, you'll be fine with 16GB with a minimum of a modern 4 core processor with SMT, but I wouldn't recommend the N97 or N95, they're just not going to be powerful enough.

If you're able to DIY it and already have a spare GFX, look at Ryzen 5000 as it, the motherboards, and DDR4 are now extremely cheap. I'm not familiar with shops outside the UK, but here you can get some extremely good value motherboard, cpu and ram bundles so I imagine it's the same in most countries. I got my 5700X, B550 and 8GB of RAM for $190 incl. tax and shipping (thanks in no small part to a major price glitch that I took advantage of), then spent an extra $50 on additional RAM.

If you want to look at used, ideally look for Intel's 8th Gen+, as they began increasing their core count with that generaton, and they also buffed the iGPUs capabilities that generation which is great if you plan on doing any media related activities in the future.

Finally, make sure you know how the basics of DHCP reservation and port forwarding, and make sure that your router can do both of these, as you won't be able to host some games without manually port forwarding, I had to for both ARK and 7DTD.

here in the us everything is cheap except graphics cards lol
I already had planned to spend 300 on an i5 and 32bgs of ram I just wanted options on other things first

[[COS]Puff|)r@g0nZ]

Originally posted by OliverSylvarus:

Originally posted by GreyJan:

I've hosted many game servers from home over the years starting with an i5-4690K, moving up to a i7-4790K, and recently I jumped to a R7 5700X in my server.

If you want to save money, make sure you get something with an iGPU to avoid the extra cost of a graphics card, and don't cheap out on memory amount. 16GB is not going to be enough for hosting ARK (evolved or ascended, even with a single map).

As for 7DTD, you'll be fine with 16GB with a minimum of a modern 4 core processor with SMT, but I wouldn't recommend the N97 or N95, they're just not going to be powerful enough.

If you're able to DIY it and already have a spare GFX, look at Ryzen 5000 as it, the motherboards, and DDR4 are now extremely cheap. I'm not familiar with shops outside the UK, but here you can get some extremely good value motherboard, cpu and ram bundles so I imagine it's the same in most countries. I got my 5700X, B550 and 8GB of RAM for $190 incl. tax and shipping (thanks in no small part to a major price glitch that I took advantage of), then spent an extra $50 on additional RAM.

If you want to look at used, ideally look for Intel's 8th Gen+, as they began increasing their core count with that generaton, and they also buffed the iGPUs capabilities that generation which is great if you plan on doing any media related activities in the future.

Finally, make sure you know how the basics of DHCP reservation and port forwarding, and make sure that your router can do both of these, as you won't be able to host some games without manually port forwarding, I had to for both ARK and 7DTD.

here in the us everything is cheap except graphics cards lol
I already had planned to spend 300 on an i5 and 32bgs of ram I just wanted options on other things first

RAM will be the lynchpin on your server, do you want 8 players? Or 30? better upgrade that ram player.

[OliverSylvarus]

Originally posted by COSPuff|)r@g0nZ:

Originally posted by OliverSylvarus:

here in the us everything is cheap except graphics cards lol
I already had planned to spend 300 on an i5 and 32bgs of ram I just wanted options on other things first

RAM will be the lynchpin on your server, do you want 8 players? Or 30? better upgrade that ram player.

My player count will be between 3 and 8 depending on the time of day

[[COS]Puff|)r@g0nZ]

Originally posted by OliverSylvarus:

Originally posted by COSPuff|)r@g0nZ:

RAM will be the lynchpin on your server, do you want 8 players? Or 30? better upgrade that ram player.

My player count will be between 3 and 8 depending on the time of day

You are fine then. But try to use LINUX as os that way you have to reboot you server less.