How To Build Server Hosting PC?

[Hank Moody]

What parts would be good and cheap for a pc that is meant purely to host multiple dedicated servers 24/7?

[_I_]

for what game and how many at the same time?

source engine games dont need many cores
pentium g or i3 can host a few csgo/tf2 games easily

for other games it will be better to use an i5/i7

for hosting multiple games, make sure the internet connection is fast
10+mb upload to make map uploads fast for others
and use a ssd for the games and os
everyone hates waiting on the server change maps

[Hank Moody]

Originally posted by _I_:

for what game and how many at the same time?

source engine games dont need many cores
pentium g or i3 can host a few csgo/tf2 games easily

for other games it will be better to use an i5/i7

for hosting multiple games, make sure the internet connection is fast
10+mb upload to make map uploads fast for others
and use a ssd for the games and os
everyone hates waiting on the server change maps

Well, multiple servers. Chivalry for sure, maybe GMOD? How much do you think building it would cost to be able to host multiple servers on games 24/7 and have a pretty good speed?

[_I_]

id say start at around $700-1000
look up the minimum requirements for the games and atleast double it if you want to host more than 1 at a time

higher end gpu is not needed, but would be nice to be able to join the games from the host machine

something like this can host a few games at the same time

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/s8QVzy

[*****cubed]

Start with a AMD multicore. They provide the most CPU per dollar right now. The FX-6300 is a very good deal, less than $100. Get a good MB that has a few chassis fan connectors to keep everything cool. I would buy another PCIe ethernet card too for some redundancy.

You can also go with an AMD APU so you don't need a GPU. Saves money.

[Hank Moody]

Originally posted by *****cubed:

Start with a AMD multicore. They provide the most CPU per dollar right now. The FX-6300 is a very good deal, less than $100. Get a good MB that has a few chassis fan connectors to keep everything cool. I would buy another PCIe ethernet card too for some redundancy.

You can also go with an AMD APU so you don't need a GPU. Saves money.

would I even need a CPU if i got an APU?

[_I_]

no
amd cores are half the performance per clock vs intel

you do not want a slower cmputer than those playing on it

[*****cubed]

Originally posted by Mikeyntata:

would I even need a CPU if i got an APU?

The AMD APU is a CPU with integrated graphics. They are fast and a good value. Perfect for a server.

[Rove]

Originally posted by Mikeyntata:

What parts would be good and cheap for a pc that is meant purely to host multiple dedicated servers 24/7?

How serious are these servers?
Like does it have to be made with server or workstation class parts?

Also what are the technical work requirements of the servers?
Like do they need powerful graphics?
How much RAM do they need?
I'm pretty sure a SSD might also help?
What kind of internet connection have you got to run this server upload and download?

If you are willing to go for a amateur server made with standard non-server (but server work capable) consumer parts then I can give a few suggestions for as cheap as possible.

1. Option with no gaming graphics, only basic graphics, for back end CPU based work only:

AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard
Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case
EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rFQVzy
Base Total: $380.90
Promo Discounts: -$25.00
Total: $355.90

That runs motherboard integrated graphics which would be total crap for gaming and only workable for OS and server backend not requiring graphics. If you need a decent graphics card up to about a R9 270X the 500W PSU can handle it as a upgrade. The motherboard also only supports SATA 2 at 3GB/s not the newest SATA 3 at 6GB/s but the HDD is not going to be pushing the limits of SATA 2 3GB/s anyways since it's not a SSD. Anyways this might be fine for your servers since I think traditionally a server does not really need a graphics card except to provide support for a monitor for strictly administrative work. Also since you got 16GB of RAM (upgradeable to 32GB) you might be able to run the server on a RAM drive so it will never really even use the HDD at all except to load up into the RAM.

2. If you do need a more powerful server that can play the games it serves:

AMD FX-8320E 3.2GHz 8-Core Processor
ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard
(2 x) Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Mushkin ECO2 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card
Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case
EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6FccK8
Base Total: $754.77
Promo Discounts: -$10.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$60.00
Shipping: $7.56
Total: $692.33

This should do the trick really easy and with 32GB of RAM you can for sure get a RAM drive going to serve stuff of off.

Disclaimer:
These "servers" are intended for amateur use and are made using regular consumer parts which are not marketed for professional servers. Their durrability and reliability and function may reflect this. Underclocking and possibly undervolting certain parts including the CPUs and RAM may increase longevity, reliability and stability. Overclocking is also possible but is not recommended in these setups. Either underclocking or overclocking may void the warranty of the part being tuned.

[*****cubed]

Originally posted by Rove:

How serious are these servers?
Like does it have to be made with server or workstation class parts?

Those specs are overkill for a server.

[*****cubed]

Make sure your ISP will allow you to run a server. Some ISPs will block that kind of traffic. You wouldn't want to buy all the parts and then find out you're blocked.