Which server would you choose?

[TubStain]

1) Dell PowerEdge 2650, Dual 2.8GHz Xeon Processor
1GB DDR (2x12 DIMMs); 36GB 10K RPM hard drive, floppy, dual NICs, 24xCD-ROM, power supply, 3 year on-site warranty.

2) Dell PowerEdge 2650, Single 2.8GHz Xeon Processor
1GB DDR (2x12 DIMMs); 2x36GB 10K RPM hard drive, floppy, dual NICs, 24xCD-ROM, power supply. 3 year on-site warranty.

I need to choose one of those 2 for a replacement to our Mac server database server that has about 20 clients accessing it at its peak, though the usual highs are around 6 people simultaneously. It is not a web server, and is not going to be in the forseeable future. The database runs some complicated scripts on over 5000 records. Data is backed up every month to hard storage, as well as every day to a separate folder and to the network.

I'm basicaly not sure about the tradeoff : 2 Xeon's or 2 HD's.

 

[MichaelD]

IMO.

Complicated scripts could always use the processing power of a dual-CPU setup.

But, does the dual-HD box have RAID? I know you do incremental and monthly backups, but if that box will do RAID1 on both those HDs, and you don't need more than 36GB storage space, then the single CPU box w/the two drives would be my choice.

Both boxes have the same amount of memory. Both have dual NICs.

Does that box do RAID1?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
IMO.

Complicated scripts could always use the processing power of a dual-CPU setup.

But, does the dual-HD box have RAID? I know you do incremental and monthly backups, but if that box will do RAID1 on both those HDs, and you don't need more than 36GB storage space, then the single CPU box w/the two drives would be my choice.

Both boxes have the same amount of memory. Both have dual NICs.

Does that box do RAID1?

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

I don't know much about server loads, etc. but I'd buy the dualie and then use future departmental funds to buy a second 36 GB 10k RPM drive and set it up in raid - go for power first, then storage, since it's cheaper.

 

[samgau]

Since you are running a database, I'd suggest finding a RAID 5 solution.... CPU wise, I'd say one should be enough, your userbase is pretty small...

 

[LAUST]

I'd say screw Dell and get a Compaq

 

[DurocShark]

Dual CPU... Find a way to get a raid array in there too...

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Do those stains in the tub have anything to do with a certain girl?

 

[Jzero]

2 processors. Always 2 processors. With HyperThreading, it's almost like FOUR!

 

[TubStain]

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1
Do those stains in the tub have anything to do with a certain girl?

Ill leave that to the imagination



I'm thinking I'll go with the dual cpu config. Thanks for the input.

 

[Electric Amish]

If you must sacrfice one or the other, I'd risk under-power to data security.

amish

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
If you must sacrfice one or the other, I'd risk under-power to data security.

amish

what he said