Dell Servers vs Custom Built

[ttylogo]

Hello, Has anyone had any bad experiences with Dell servers? What are the pros and cons of Dell vs custom built (e.g. asus / supermicro etc). In particular -Dell PowerEdge rackmountable servers 1U / 2U.

 

[mcveigh]

welcome to anandtech forums!!

I feel the the dell servers are the way to go for most.
I like the support, the 24 turnaround time for parts, and the documentation.

I go custom if I have:
specific needs that dell can't meet (like maybe I need 2 ISA slots or something)
must save every penny
or I just want to build it cause I like I pain

 

[ttylogo]

Hi mcveigh thanks for the welcome

I am wondering / arguing myself about the turnaround parts. My plan is to buy a spare motherboard and perhaps powersupply so in case if either of those fail I can immediately fix it. Do you think this is a good solution?

I asked my friend about Dell and he keeps putting it down, that's why I got mixed feelings about it.

It seems that Dell can be cheaper (not very sure yet) than custom built - but I need to check some prices on the custom system.

 

[LikeLinus]

Dell Servers are rock solid. I've been quite happy with my 2.4Ghz 600SC. It's been online since March and has never once crashed or bluescreened. I'm running Windows 2003 Enterprise Edition on it and It's solid.

Dell has quick turn around for parts.

As far as another P/S and motherboard, You could do that but It seems like it'd be a waste of money for just 1 business day.

Sometimes you can find some awesome deals on their servers. You just have to wait for the right time and coupons

 

[Gunbuster]

Is this a goes in my bedroom server or a I get fired when it fails server?

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: ttylogo
Hi mcveigh thanks for the welcome

I am wondering / arguing myself about the turnaround parts. My plan is to buy a spare motherboard and perhaps powersupply so in case if either of those fail I can immediately fix it. Do you think this is a good solution?

I asked my friend about Dell and he keeps putting it down, that's why I got mixed feelings about it.

It seems that Dell can be cheaper (not very sure yet) than custom built - but I need to check some prices on the custom system.

Custom ordering the parts (one by one) will be monumentally more expensive than configuring a Dell 1U/2U. No offense, but I think your friend is probably one of those 133+ "hardcore hardware" people that put down Dell for no good reason.

You could probably save on the RAM, harddrive, and CPU (1U heatsink/fans are *very* expensive though). I highly doubt you could save on the chasis and motherboard itself. Dell rackmount chasis are some of the coolest designs too, better than those plain box ones you see. I'd also get an extended warranty (also very expensive, but worth it). We have 4 hour onsite from Dell, and yes, they come within 4 hours.

Is this a goes in my bedroom server or a I get fired when it fails server?

Classic! Although I doubt you need a 1U for your bedroom.

 

[ttylogo]

Originally posted by: Gunbuster
Is this a goes in my bedroom server or a I get fired when it fails server?

He he he Although I probably won't get fired, this server is going into a data center.

To dexvx: Thanks I tend to agree with your comment and the general consensus that people seems to have here. Thanks again I will have a closer look at dell and try to configure a server. I shall also point my friend to this thread... see what he is going to say

 

[Poulsonator]

Let me add that my company has just under 100 Dell servers (60 or so in our main office, the rest scattered througout out other offices nationwide). Since I'm 1/4 of the company's IT department, I'm 1/4 responsible for their uptime. The servers are rock solid (as stated by someone else already), but in the rare event when a problem pops up or hardware needs to be replaced, Dell is there. Next day either a tech or a part is at my office (or remote location) before 10 a.m. Their support is second to none, and we wouldn't go with anyone else.

Like someone above said, is this a get fired server? If this server has anything to do with work, go with Dell. Downtime is a killer for companies, and extended downtime due to lack of support will cost the company even more and can get you fired.

 

[MysticLlama]

I'll 100% agree with everyone else that if this is a server you are relying on, you really should go with an OEM vendor.

There are a lot of things different when you buy an OEM server vs. building one. For one, every part is custom and fits exactly where it is supposed to, cables are particular lengths, airflow is designed around the whole system, etc. Also parts are often very easy to quickly change out, and if certain parts fail, the server will keep running. (i.e. I have a server that can lose a CPU, a voltage regulator, a power supply, a hard drive or two, a stick or two of RAM, multiple fans, and it'll keep running.)

The only thing that I would add to the conversation is don't limit yourself just to Dell as the OEM. Personally I use all Compaq servers, and I couldn't be happier with stability and support. I get parts (when necessary, which is rare) overnight, and then I just peel the label off to reveal the ship back label and drop it in the mail, very painless.

IBM also makes some very nice servers, so just look around before deciding what you want.

If you decide on buying an OEM server vs. building one, check out the CDW Outlet (cdw.com, left hand side) for backstock items. These are usually open boxes, sometimes with a xeroxed manual instead of a regular one, but always with all of their parts and a full manufactuers warranty. The great part is that they often sell the items for less than cost to get them out of inventory. If you find something in there you want, PM me and I'll get my rep to hook you up.

Lots of things to think about, but I always recommend OEM to people that need to depend on a server, they usually turn out to be very little more money, and a lot more dependable.

 

[Cerb]

for low-end stuff (web server, DNS, etc.), build. For anything else, go Dell. The reasons have already been posted.

 

[ttylogo]

Should I choose lower end Dell (single IDE P4) to a Xeon / RAID1 SCSI ?

 

[Sunner]

What is the server gonna do?

And yes, just to chime in, OEM > homebuilt for anything serious, be it Dell, HPaq, or IBM.

 

[mcveigh]

Originally posted by: ttylogo
Should I choose lower end Dell (single IDE P4) to a Xeon / RAID1 SCSI ?

now for that you have to be specific as to what the server is going to do and the load for it.
i.e. don't just tell us it's a database server or a web server. tell us it's a webserver getting 100,000 hits a day

 

[Pseudodominion]

Dell servers are great. As has been stated support is top notch and better than the aggravation of supporting your own custom server. I build my own rigs, but if I had a need for a great server I would get a dell. We use them at ork and have had no problems at the fault of the hardware.