A quad core vs 4 single cpu dilemma and Server Q's

[JonathanJace]

Hey guys, i couldnt really find anything useful on this and needed some q's answered. Maybe i can pick a few of your brains.

Need to setup a server because the costs of having one hosted for us is becoming to much, especially with the size of GB-TB we've grown in and continue to grow in. So i'm trying to build a server or more or less purchase a good config, going with HP proliants.

Just wanted to know what's the difference of a quad core (1 chip 4 cpu) vs 4 single processors. I know the fsb used to be a limiting factor but that is so 2005. Is there any real time difference, but more importantly is there a difference (could anybody support this with graphs).

The setup that i currently have is
Proliant DL 380 G5 Quad Core E5440 2.83 GHz CPU 12MB Cache 2 GB RAM

Is that enough RAM, not really concerned with proc speed as i'm sure it's more than okay.

We are just running one main application (in Windows Server 2k3) which is a data warehouse, essentially connected to a DB but all the files (just files really) are stored on this machine. What would be the biggest raid array i could setup? I know the 2TB limit, and i think i want to avoid GPT partitions, but what is the best way to go?

Is there anything else i should add? Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Arkaign]

You may find some more expert advice on this in the 'Operating Systems' section.

As for CPU, there isn't a close comparison for Native Quad Core vs. 4 Seperate Single-Core CPUs, as you would be comparing architechture of notably different generations.

As for RAM, get more, no reason not to at today's prices. 4GB or more would be ideal.

Are you running SQL? What other roles will this server play?

Under NTFS, the maximum size of a partition is 2 to the 64th power. This is equal to 16 binary exabytes, or 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 bytes (18 billion GB). <--- copied from another source, there may be some other limiting factor for NTFS partitions (that you can put as raid), but I have seen 20TB Raid Arrays already with Server '03.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Quad core x 1S >>>> 4S x Unicore

Anyway no-one nowadays should be selling you a new 4 socket system with single core cpus.

Are you getting a licence for Windows Server 2003 for the Proliant? or do you already have the software and which version?

More ram should help with performance, 4GB should be pretty standard (unless you have the web edition which limits you to 2GB). Databases should benefit from the extra ram - what is the software apps name?

The DL 380 G5 can support another quad core (its a 2S system in case you didn't know).

You could run a server off a 1S system if you aren't planning to use the second socket and save some $$$ - see below

 

[Arkaign]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, no reason not to go with Server '08 AFAIK.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Another question is do you need a rack mountable server?

DL rather than a ML series?

 

[PlasmaBomb]

1S vs 2S comparison -

1S HP ProLiant DL320 G5p $1,649.00

Xeon® processor X3360 (2.83 GHz, 12MB Level 2 cache)
2GB (1 x 2GB) PC2-6400 Unbuffered DIMMs
HP Smart Array E200/128 Controller
Hard Drives - none as standard
Embedded NC326i Dual Port Gigabit Server Adapter
Rack height - 1U

2S HP ProLiant DL380 G5 Server $2,379.00

Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5440 (2.83 GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 12MB Level 2 Cache)
2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-5300 Fully Buffered DIMMs (DDR2-667) with Advanced ECC
HP Smart Array P400/256MB Controller (RAID 0/1/1+0/5)
Hard Drives - None ship standard
Two Embedded NC373i Multifunction Gigabit Server Adapters
Rack height - 2U