Best CPU for game server?
Best CPU for game server?
You're planning to set up a server for hosting a GMod game and possibly storing files. You're considering various processors and want to choose an Intel Xeon build within a $500 budget. Since you're based in America, I hope this advice helps! Let me know if you need more details.
Purchase an older HP DL380 G7 or newer models with ample RAM—twin hex cores are available. I bought one myself two years ago for $450 with shipping. You mentioned you're unsure about your drive needs for "gmod." If you're aiming for better performance, consider adding a RAM disk and loading your game files there. You could even run a VM inside the RAM disk. I don’t have much experience with gmod, but I’m happy to help if you clarify further.
I've heard that GMod runs on a 32-bit architecture, which means memory needs aren't extremely high—likely around 4GB per server. On a machine with 144GB RAM and 12GB/24GB of virtual memory, setting up ten GMod servers is quite feasible if you use RAM disks. You'd allocate about 10GB per server for RAM disk, plus 4GB for each core, totaling roughly 14GB per server. It sounds like a fun project to try.
You're right, I'll need a tool to generate the video and handle the server.
It seems you're looking for ways to upgrade your setup. You mentioned considering a budget graphics card for basic display and saw someone using a GTX 1050 in a DL380 with only the X16 power slot working. You also noted the VGA output is limited and need a power adapter to connect a GPU.