Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Begin the build of a dedicated server
  • Subject: Begin the build of a dedicated server
Subject: Begin the build of a dedicated server
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I am now ready to start the dedicated server i have been pm'ing about. (thanks for all the help, most of the regulars here!)

i will be going to newegg as soon as i am done here with a small budget to get started. I am thinking a motherboard is a great place to start. i will be reading all the feed back (if any) regarding the choices i am making and will be making, putting this together.

if you see a server named "bunny thrill kill cult" up in custom, its me with zero ping.

talk to you all soon!

regards,

~voodoo

  • 05.31.2005 8:43 PM PDT
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Well, zero ping is actually impossible - you can't do it.

But...if you want an actual server don't go to newegg. For reference, if you do want a real one an opteron board and a 244 are a good pair to start with.

Alternatively, you can go s939 or something to that effect, you could actually run it off of your existing pc. That might cost less, eh?

Any help needed, let me know.

  • 05.31.2005 9:27 PM PDT
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i was just going to hit the "buy me now" botton when i thought i should check to see if SLD had something to say in my short shopping visit.
/no, realy, i thought this!/
thank you for replying. this is want i was just about to get:
ecs n2u400- A (SOCKET 462) NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 ATX AMD motherboard.

$42

im looking at cpu's right now.

~voodoo

  • 05.31.2005 10:39 PM PDT
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1681313514 8

um...this one

  • 05.31.2005 10:43 PM PDT
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Hmm, if you happen to get that you should consider a Sempron - probably one of the better CPU's for that socket. However, that is socket A, and well, it is fairly slow now, I won't lie. 754 would be better.

The cheapest but with good performance might be an Intel on socket 478 with a Northwood P4.

  • 06.01.2005 6:17 AM PDT
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shhh! dont say the "S" word! i want to dedicate my $ flow to a minimum but dedicate the server to be releiable and dedicated to non-slowness!

i spent more$ than id like to admit on the comp i just had someone build for me. Now id like to build a dedicated server from the ground up w/ using my own tiny brain and friends/resourses. so...the last thing i want to happen is devote time and energy into something half-baked but at the same time be 1/4 of what i paid for my "hot rod" compy.

so, this is mostly all new to me. i have an intel based compy now and would like to go amd based. i found some other good stuff last night on newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1681910421 0

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1681410244 4

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1682710682 8

i will be buying one or all of the above later today unless anyone happens to disagree on my parts picks.
i am running high speed DSL, i have 2 computers now in use and i am thinking id like to know more about running a dedicated off of an existing compy/server like SLD suggested. not sure how that works...is it better than having a true dedicated compy? is it lacking in some things?

looking forward to your views!

~voodoo

  • 06.01.2005 10:17 AM PDT
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what are your upload and download levels on your DSL?
might i recommend buying T1 or IDSN if you really want a truly dedicated server

  • 06.01.2005 3:38 PM PDT
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Nope, a dedicated server pc will actually be neraly the same as a normal one, but it will simply run a server and do nothing else - maybe virus protection but that's about it.

Those look fine, nice work, thoroughbred is one of the classics ;)

Don't forget you need a power supply, RAM, and a cd drive [you could just swap out the one from another pc, install everything, get it running, and then put it back].

Also, the GPU - instead of a 9250, consider an XGI Volari 3 - nearly the same performance, but way cheaper. And you won't really game much, anyway, right?

  • 06.01.2005 7:30 PM PDT
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i wish i could afford a dedicated server :S
i would probably get a dual opteron setup, but i cant even afford to upgrade my 15" monitor >_<

  • 06.01.2005 11:00 PM PDT
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Hmmmm.... SLD - I was actually under the impression that Video Card performance was not important when setting up a DS - I'd say that money is better spent on RAM - most of the server side lag will come from a few places:

1) CPU - The largest contributor
2) Memory - A close Second
3) Motherboard - Yes, this is important when you consider the interface frequency and controller technology. Keep in mind also that few games and OS's take advantage of some of your nicer features, such as Hyper Threading or Hyper Transport.

I mean.... aside from those three main things - a box is a box is a box.

  • 06.02.2005 8:21 PM PDT
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And...I was under that same impression, hence why I recommended a dirt-cheap card instead of him buying something more expensive. The Volari 3, you can get it at some websites through froogle.com for under $30, eBay for sure even lower. You do need a video card to run a server...just to see anything :P

I'd agree with the organization of that list, though. The CPU will make or break it, and you need enough RAM, along with a good and not POS motherboard.

  • 06.03.2005 6:28 AM PDT
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So, is this CPU that i picked out something you old salty's would buy? if not, what do you recomend? keep in mind this dedicated server will be just that: dedicatd. Now, having said that, i want it to be better than the average pc. i dont mind spending the extra few bucks more to improve it...

did that make sense?

i have the box coming and should be here wednesday: http://www.colorcases.com/products/productdetails.asp?main_ca tid=1&catid=19&prodid=84#pic
she is peeeeerdy! (out of the 3,000 cases ive looked at and 3 hours later!)

my intentions are to buy the parts ONLY once.

this brings me back to the mobo. the one i have listed is a great price but what if i spent some extra $ on it ? seeing that skimping on this would not be wise, i found this:


Abit AX8 Via Socket 939 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / Gigabit LAN / USB 2.0 & Firewire / Serial ATA
this is priced at $129

i can see this turning into a bigger venture then i thought!!
regards,
~voodoo

  • 06.03.2005 8:16 AM PDT
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I'm not familiar with ECS as a mobo manufacturer, but the nforce 2 is a very capable northbridge controller. The Sempron 2400+ with the T-Bred core actually outperforms my current chip (Athlon XP 2200+), and I think it would run a DS just fine (I'd recommend using Windows XP Pro).

As far as motherboards go - you don't won't something that is socket 939 if you're getting a sempron chip - I don't think they are compatible.

I highly recommend MachSpeed motherboards. They are made entirely in the United States and come with a full lifetime replacement warranty. I have never heard of anyone having problems with a MachSpeed board. I can also say I have heard good things about Gigabyte.

I have had mixed experiences with Asus, and I cannot in good conscience recommend Soyo. Other than that, you seem to have everything covered well -
A good place to find cheap parts is http://www.pricewatch.com. Just make sure if you use their service that everything you order is new and in the retail box. (They sometimes sell OEM System Pulls that aren't very high quality, so just be careful)

And....do ya think.... that we might be able.... to maybe.... influence the map rotation a bit when the server is finally built?

  • 06.03.2005 9:19 PM PDT
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mobo and cpu bundle:
NCS nforce 2 Elite Group's socket A mobo
and
AMD sampron 3000 +512 cashe
all for only $129
found this in tiger.com
*they sell the same sampron 3000 for $99 alone. new egg sell it alone for $97!

what do you guys think?
and did anyone get a chance to look at my case?
looking for harddrive now while i wait to hear back...

~!voodoo

[Edited on 6/4/2005]

  • 06.04.2005 12:55 AM PDT
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after i looked around more I found:

ASUS A7v600-Xvia socket A (with same cpu, sempron 3000)
and
SOYO KT 600 dragon v 2.0 (not a recomended brand by Aminspire) with same cpu
and
ABIT kv7-V via mo bo (with athlon / sempron 2700)
each mobocpu combo for $129.99
looks like i need to do more thinking on this.
should i shop by brand name?
budget can be no more than $130 for both mobo and cpu.
~voodoo


[Edited on 6/4/2005]

  • 06.04.2005 2:47 AM PDT
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I don't know how you feel about rebates, but....

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-deta ils.asp?EdpNo=1176871&CatId=0
A little faster than the next one. This one supports SATA Hard Drives

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-deta ils.asp?EdpNo=1225679&CatId=0
Slightly slower, with fewer unnecessary bells and whistles. This board does not support SATA Hard Drives.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-deta ils.asp?EdpNo=1225675&CatId=0
A very practical buy - it has a smaller form factor, so you don't end up paying for slots you don't need - it has 3 PCI and 1 AGP Slot.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-deta ils.asp?EdpNo=1384859&CatId=0
Solid. SUpports SATA and AGP 8x - A word to the wise - make sure your video card is compatible with AGP 8x, I understand that the voltage settings are slightly different.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-deta ils.asp?EdpNo=1279023&CatId=0
I saw this and figured you might be able to kill two birds with one stone - memory is included in this bundle (Ultra makes pretty decent memory). This has the same board as the model above it.

TigerDirect has a few other variant of this Mobo Combo with different speed chips.I actually think that the last deal is your best since you get memory with it, but, again - I don't know how you feel about rebates.

Aside from that, I personally believe MachSpeed makes the best boards, and it keeps your money within the first-world.

  • 06.04.2005 8:45 AM PDT
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i agree, the last suggestion (gigabyte 7vt600, sep 2700 and 512 mem) is the best deal out there. perfect for what i am doing. i want to spend the $ wisely (unlike last time...which is a different subject!).

i will be getting the bundle today. but first, i want to shop for the other stuff id need. ill try to get most things in the same shipping order.

SLD are you out there? do you have any suggestions? i can email you and i have pm'ed you.

p.s. i dont see anyone form MAW on ce. just one dude. what are your names when you play haloce?

I am voodoobunny.

~voodoo

  • 06.05.2005 11:06 AM PDT
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I would have to agree. The last option is not only cost effective [tiger direct's package deals save you up to 50% on stuff], but it also seems to be the best one of them all, IMO.

I would ssay that you can use any old hard drive, but a fast IDE of SATA drive is ideal. Apart from that, a good broadband connection is all the rest that you need.

What type of case will you get?

I'm working on a model UN for the next week so I won't be playing. I have to debate on nuclear non proliferation tomorrow for about 7 hours :o

After that, expect to see me on this summer - -blam!-, shopkeeper, surgeon - I change names a bit.

  • 06.05.2005 1:50 PM PDT
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I've been quite busy with other stuff and haven't played much. The only thing I have to say is that you must have a good connection. It won't matter how good the server is if the connection is crap.

  • 06.05.2005 3:40 PM PDT
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Yeah, I'd say at least 2mbps down and 700 or more up if you plan on up to 16 people.

  • 06.05.2005 9:38 PM PDT
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I play under the names:

RSA Inspire
aM Inspire
Deus Mortui

The last one only gets used every once in a blue moon. Some tags are better left to rest in peace...

  • 06.06.2005 8:36 PM PDT