Gaming on Windows 2003 Server?

[Antoneo]

Are there any difficulties in using Windows 2003 Server for games as well as various small server roles (DC, file server, etc.)?

 

[CQuinn]

Yes.

I have not tried it myself yet. But AFAIK you have to enable a lot of
services and features that are not normally set up on a server in order
to support games.

That can undermine the stability required for a full time server.
And games tend to be very resource intensive, which can also
have an impact on server performance.

Most of the time I've seen someone using Server as a gaming
station is for the bragging rights of saying they did, not
as part of running a standard server.

 

[Canterwood]

You may need to enable the audio service, and enable hardware acceleration for your 3d graphics card, but other than that it should function like XP as far as games go.

Get prepared for the "Its a server, why do you want to play games on it?" crew.

Seriously though, I wouldn't recommend it on any production server, but a test rig like we have at work is fair game for some hacking.

 

[Antoneo]

Ah, I was prepared for those comments but it seems no one else is willing to bite. Well, I was thinking of using it at home since there are several family members each with their own computer so I thought it might be better to have centralized resources in terms of files and accounts. Everyone dislikes spending time on document, bookmarked website, or video file on one computer and not another. It would be a great learning experience for me anyway.

Do Windows XP drivers for devices work with Windows 2003 Server? I ask this because I don't see ATI radeon drivers for Windows 2003 server and, well if I want to use the computer as a "workstation" at times for World of Warcraft I would want the card running properly.

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: Antoneo
Ah, I was prepared for those comments but it seems no one else is willing to bite. Well, I was thinking of using it at home since there are several family members each with their own computer so I thought it might be better to have centralized resources in terms of files and accounts. Everyone dislikes spending time on document, bookmarked website, or video file on one computer and not another. It would be a great learning experience for me anyway.

Do Windows XP drivers for devices work with Windows 2003 Server? I ask this because I don't see ATI radeon drivers for Windows 2003 server and, well if I want to use the computer as a "workstation" at times for World of Warcraft I would want the card running properly.

You dont see drivers for 2003 server, because it includes the drivers with "basic" graphics functionality for all graphics cards = all that is needed for server. Therefore no manufacturer makes a separate driver for it (You won't see nvidia or ati drivers with full funtionality for 2000/2003 server).

Anyhow, XP drivers should work fine but if you get any problems... well, don't expect any support from Ati to questions "Wow not running properly on 2003 server???"