Using a server as a gaming rig?

Derek12 · Sep 20, 2011

ObSo-1337 said:
Thanks for all the replies guys! I will give you the details tomorrow. I'm going over to see it. He said he would give me it for £75 (which is an absolute steal imo) Thanks again!

If it has a PCIe x16 slot, then you are fine

Mussels said:
people seem to think servers are godly fast uber machines, but truth is they're slower than gaming systems - they're just designed for 24/7 stability, over speed.
.

Nope I was said the Registered/buffered RAM is slower than normal one, and the Boot times are also slow, but the multiple CPU and hard disks SCSI/SAS arrays are normally very fast.

Servers are often intended to process large quantities of data so must be very fast

mrw1986 · Sep 20, 2011

repman244 said:
http://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2008/12_w52/t89639/dell-pe-1900.jpg

I found this picture online, does it look anything close to it in the inside?

If the MB is the same it has 2xPCI-X and 4xPCI-e (x8) and a special slot for the RAID controller (I think). If there isn't any other configuration of the slots than I guess there isn't much chance you will get a graphics card to work there.
The only option which doesn't always work is to cut the PCI-e slot to fit a x16 card in there. But it may not work.
I tried that with my ML350G4 it wouldn't even post.

Hmm, I don't even recall what it looks like, haha!

Mussels · Sep 20, 2011

Derek12 said:
Nope I was said the Registered/buffered RAM is slower than normal one, and the Boot times are also slow, but the multiple CPU and hard disks SCSI/SAS arrays are normally very fast.

Servers are often intended to process large quantities of data so must be very fast

servers are designed to multitask fast. not game fast. it can have four quad core CPU's, and it dont mean squat because the single threaded performance is what matters most with gaming.

Derek12 · Sep 20, 2011

Mussels said:
servers are designed to multitask fast. not game fast. it can have four quad core CPU's, and it dont mean squat because the single threaded performance is what matters most with gaming.

Don't games actually use multithread, multicore or multicpu? (besides GPU obviously)

repman244 · Sep 20, 2011

Mussels said:
servers are designed to multitask fast. not game fast. it can have four quad core CPU's, and it dont mean squat because the single threaded performance is what matters most with gaming.

And don't forget about slower RAM (Loose timings lower frequency and it's ECC which impacts the speed).

Derek12 said:
Don't games actually use multithread, multicore or multicpu?

They do but the problem is that server CPU's have lower frequency, slower RAM.

Mussels · Sep 20, 2011

Derek12 said:
Don't games actually use multithread, multicore or multicpu? (besides GPU obviously)

you can run multiple tasks, but you cant split one task over multiple cores. so for example if the AI is one thread and it needs more CPU power, more cores wont help you. you'll still lag.

servers are always about more cores, more threads, more ram, more drives - so they can do more things at one time, not do one thing faster.

Frick · Sep 20, 2011

Mussels said:
servers are designed to multitask fast. not game fast. it can have four quad core CPU's, and it dont mean squat because the single threaded performance is what matters most with gaming.

But this has been improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but it has come a long way.

Mussels · Sep 20, 2011

Frick said:
But this has been improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but it has come a long way.

it hasnt improved at all, its how the tech works. games still mostly care about your single threaded performance above all else - yes, they now often benefit from having more cores, but a quad core at 4GHz is better than a 6 core at 3GHz, despite the 6 having better overall performance.

Derek12 · Sep 20, 2011

repman244 said:
They do but the problem is that server CPU's have lower frequency, slower RAM.

Yeah that's what I commented, they have ECC or registered/buffered modules but I think they can run in quad channel? (I am not sure :confused:

)

Mussels said:
you can run multiple tasks, but you cant split one task over multiple cores. so for example if the AI is one thread and it needs more CPU power, more cores wont help you. you'll still lag.

servers are always about more cores, more threads, more ram, more drives - so they can do more things at one time, not do one thing faster.

But aren't Xeon more powerful (per thread) than a consumer one? I thought they were :confused:

(I am not very familiar with servers anyway)

repman244 · Sep 20, 2011

Derek12 said:
Yeah that's what I commented, they have ECC or registered/buffered modules but I think they can run in quad channel? (I am not sure )

But aren't Xeon more powerful (per thread) than a consumer one? I thought they were

The channels depend on the CPU (or NB on older platforms), ECC is there to prevent errors that may occur, the buffered RAM isn't in use anymore AFAIK, it was used on DDR2 RAM to increase the density and reliability but it ran really hot and used more power (we are talking about temperatures of 80C here).

Xeons are the same as the desktop parts in terms of per clock performance, the only thing that's different is the lower power consumption (lower voltage), ability to use ECC RAM and such, ability to use 2 CPU's.

Mussels · Sep 20, 2011

Derek12 said:
But aren't Xeon more powerful (per thread) than a consumer one? I thought they were (I am not very familiar with servers anyway)

same performance per clock, and almost always clocked lower. its all about multiple cores on mutiple CPU's for the multi tasking, as i keep saying.

Derek12 · Sep 20, 2011

repman244 said:
The channels depend on the CPU (or NB on older platforms), ECC is there to prevent errors that may occur, the buffered RAM isn't in use anymore AFAIK, it was used on DDR2 RAM to increase the density and reliability but it ran really hot and used more power (we are talking about temperatures of 80C here).

Xeons are the same as the desktop parts in terms of per clock performance, the only thing that's different is the lower power consumption (lower voltage), ability to use ECC RAM and such, ability to use 2 CPU's.

Mussels said:
same performance per clock, and almost always clocked lower. its all about multiple cores on mutiple CPU's for the multi tasking, as i keep saying.

Many thanks for the clarification, about the buffered ram, I worked not long ago on a brand new server which had DDR2 buffered RAM (I can't remember the model, but I am sure the RAM was buffered, because normal or ECC RAM of the same technology (DDR2) didn't fit the slot)

repman244 · Sep 20, 2011

Derek12 said:
Many thanks for the clarification, about the buffered ram, I worked not long ago on a brand new server which had DDR2 buffered RAM (I can't remember the model, but I am sure the RAM was buffered, because normal or ECC RAM of the same technology (DDR2) didn't fit the slot)

It could be that it was DDR3 RAM, I don't think that Fully Buffered DDR2 and ECC DDR2 (unbuffered) have a different layout.
This could give you a better idea of the registered (buffered) RAM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registered_memory

EDIT. you are right it does have a different layout.

de.das.dude · Sep 20, 2011

someone here has a quad opteron server as gaming rig as i recall.

yogurt_21 · Sep 20, 2011

a modern server would simply need a gpu upgrade to be able to game, the psu's will easily handle mid-level gpu's without issue and have plenty of cpu performance. (very few cpu demanding games don't take advantage of multi cores)

there's just a couple issues

1. can you really think of no use for a personal server?
2. compared to a 500$ gaming machine the performance will be similar, but the gaming machine will use less power, be quieter, and run cooler
3. if it's an older server say 771 based, that 500$ gaming rig would kick its ass.
4. seriously there's all kinds of things you can do with a personal server

so it's money well spent, but really you can make it worth so much more by using it as a server rather than a gaming rig.

Completely Bonkers · Sep 20, 2011

Just to correct a few comments I read here:

1./ Some servers and their CPUs CAN be overclocked. BIOSes generally dont have this option, but sometimes they can be softmodded, so they boot at clock and then you overclock using software utility.

2./ It is also possible to HARDWARE overclock some server CPUs. Look into BSEL mod. I did this to get two s771 Xeon 2.5Ghz up to 3.0Ghz.

3./ Multi-core servers will rape a gaming rig at map loads and also (sometimes) have smoother framerates albeit possibly slightly lower. Map and texture loads involve loading off disk and/or decompressing zipped data and textures. Server architecture is good at this.

4./ I have found that memory bandwidth is not going to affect your gameplay. GPU then CPU then total RAM then HDD access speeds are the first four bottlenecks to worry about.

5./ Some server CPUs have monstrous cache which negates any performance loss on memory bandwidth, and might even take a "win"

6./ There is a strange tingly warm feeling you get running a server/workstation platform as a gaming rig. It's worth doing for fun even if you only get "95%" of the max framerate compared to a gaming rig.

7./ Er, don't go about spending more money than you need to! Stay efficient with your wallet

FordGT90Concept · Sep 20, 2011

As long as it doesn't have ECC memory (performance penalty), a relatively high clockspeed (>2 GHz), at least one PCI Express x16 slot (for a graphics card if it doesn't have one already), and either a spare PCI/PCIe x1 slot for an audio card or audio integrated it should work fine for gaming.

Oh, verify it works before buying. It might be DOA which is why they're selling it for cheap. If it is using a server socket, it will cost $100s of dollars to make operational again.

bpgt64 · Sep 20, 2011

I would be concerned about sound, most server sound like freight trains.

Sir B. Fannybottom · Sep 20, 2011

Okay, so games can't be split between processors, right? So if you put a good enough GPU in there you could play 2 games of BBC2 at the same time? Easy way to level up ;3

LordJummy · Sep 20, 2011

Kevinheraiz said:
Okay, so games can't be split between processors, right? So if you put a good enough GPU in there you could play 2 games of BBC2 at the same time? Easy way to level up ;3

Your thought process is highly illogical.

Sir B. Fannybottom · Sep 20, 2011

Could the two procs run independent? or would it just put more stress on the first proc? I've never even touched a server so I don't know much. It seems kinda awesome though..

ShiBDiB · Sep 20, 2011

This thread is a shitshow.. the original poster said he'd get us info and now a mod and a user derailed this with a multithreading arguement

Sir B. Fannybottom · Sep 20, 2011

Sorry

m4gicfour · Sep 21, 2011

ShiBDiB said:
This thread is a shitshow.. the original poster said he'd get us info and now a mod and a user derailed this with a multithreading arguement

Welcome to TPU. I see you've met Mussels :roll:

</sarcasm>

Ontopic, If you don't want that $75 server, I'll take it... probably.

Derek12 · Sep 21, 2011

ShiBDiB said:
This thread is a shitshow.. the original poster said he'd get us info and now a mod and a user derailed this with a multithreading arguement

First of all, isn't off topic, so don't claim falsehoods as "derailed" or "shitshow".

Second. It's interesting to know. because if servers are slower than desktop counterparts, they may not be used for gaming even if has dual processor.

fourth, he asked if a server has gaming computer is possible with a server because of logical or physical limitations. server RAM being slower and slow processing for thread as Mussels stated are limitations.

The arguing wasn't only about threading but also from RAM at the end with another user. Which in servers is slower.

and you precisely YOU did want you said, derailed the thread with your attack.

System Name	Custom Built
Processor	AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Motherboard	Asus PRIME A520M-A
Cooling	Stock heatsink/fan
Memory	16GB 2x8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 2400MHz
Video Card(s)	MSI 1050Ti 4GB
Storage	KINGSTON SNVS250G 256GB M.2 + 2 data disks
Display(s)	Dell S2421NX
Case	Aerocool CS103
Audio Device(s)	Realtek
Power Supply	Seasonic M12II-520 EVO
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 2S
Keyboard	Logitech
Software	Windows 11 Pro 64-bit

Processor	Intel i7-5930k
Motherboard	ASRock Taichi X99
Cooling	Phanteks PH-TC14PE
Memory	4x8GB HyperX FURY DDR4-2666 15-17-17-15
Video Card(s)	MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X 8G
Storage	1x Plextor PX-512M6S SSD, 1x WD 750gb HDD, 2x Hitachi 2TB HDD, 1x Seagate 4TB HDD
Display(s)	2x Dell P2314H
Case	Fractal Define R4
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Corsair AX860i
Mouse	ROCCAT Kone Pure Color White
Keyboard	Corsair K95 RGB - Cherry MX Brown
Software	Windows 10 Professional x64

System Name	Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor	Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard	Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling	Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory	2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s)	Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage	2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s)	Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) \| Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) \| Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case	Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s)	Logitech G560 \| Corsair Void pro RGB \|Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply	Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse	Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard	Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software	Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores	Nyooom.

System Name	Custom Built
Processor	AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Motherboard	Asus PRIME A520M-A
Cooling	Stock heatsink/fan
Memory	16GB 2x8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 2400MHz
Video Card(s)	MSI 1050Ti 4GB
Storage	KINGSTON SNVS250G 256GB M.2 + 2 data disks
Display(s)	Dell S2421NX
Case	Aerocool CS103
Audio Device(s)	Realtek
Power Supply	Seasonic M12II-520 EVO
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 2S
Keyboard	Logitech
Software	Windows 11 Pro 64-bit

System Name	Desktop
Processor	Intel Xeon E5-1680v2
Motherboard	ASUS Sabertooth X79
Cooling	Intel AIO
Memory	8x4GB DDR3 1866MHz
Video Card(s)	EVGA GTX 970 SC
Storage	Crucial MX500 1TB + 2x WD RE 4TB HDD
Display(s)	HP ZR24w
Case	Fractal Define XL Black
Audio Device(s)	Schiit Modi Uber/Sony CDP-XA20ES/Pioneer CT-656>Sony TA-F630ESD>Sennheiser HD600
Power Supply	Corsair HX850
Mouse	Logitech G603
Keyboard	Logitech G613
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64

Using a server as a gaming rig?

Derek12

mrw1986

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Derek12

repman244

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Derek12

repman244

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Derek12

repman244

de.das.dude

Pro Indian Modder

yogurt_21

Completely Bonkers

New Member

FordGT90Concept

"I go fast!1!11!1!"

bpgt64

Sir B. Fannybottom

LordJummy

New Member

Sir B. Fannybottom

ShiBDiB

Sir B. Fannybottom

m4gicfour

Derek12

System Name	Black MC in Tokyo
Processor	Ryzen 5 5600
Motherboard	Asrock B450M-HDV
Cooling	Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2
Memory	2 x 16GB Kingston Fury 3400mhz
Video Card(s)	XFX 6950XT Speedster MERC 319
Storage	Kingston A400 240GB \| WD Black SN750 2TB \|WD Blue 1TB x 2 \| Toshiba P300 2TB \| Seagate Expansion 8TB
Display(s)	Samsung U32J590U 4K + BenQ GL2450HT 1080p
Case	Fractal Design Define R4
Audio Device(s)	Line6 UX1 + some headphones, Nektar SE61 keyboard
Power Supply	Corsair RM850x v3
Mouse	Logitech G602
Keyboard	Cherry MX Board 1.0 TKL Brown
VR HMD	Acer Mixed Reality Headset
Software	Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	Rimworld 4K ready!

System Name	Monke \| Work Thinkpad\| Old Monke
Processor	Ryzen 5600X \| Ryzen 5500U \| FX8320
Motherboard	ASRock B550 Extreme4 \| ? \| Asrock 990FX Extreme 4
Cooling	240mm Rad \| Not needed \| hyper 212 EVO
Memory	2x16GB DDR4 3600 Corsair RGB \| 16 GB DDR4 3600 \| 16GB DDR3 1600
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Pulse RX6700XT 12GB \| Vega 8 \| Sapphire Pulse RX580 8GB
Storage	Samsung 980 nvme (Primary) \| some samsung SSD
Display(s)	Dell 2723DS \| Some 14" 1080p 98%sRGB IPS \| Dell 2240L
Case	Ant Esports Tempered case \| Thinkpad \| Antec
Audio Device(s)	Logitech Z333 \| Jabra corpo stuff
Power Supply	Corsair RM750e \| not needed \| Corsair GS 600
Mouse	Logitech G400 \| nipple
Keyboard	Logitech G213 \| stock kb is awesome \| Logitech K230
VR HMD	;_;
Software	Windows 10 Professional x3
Benchmark Scores	There are no marks on my bench

System Name	Thought I'd be done with this by now
Processor	i7 11700k 8/16
Motherboard	MSI Z590 Pro Wifi
Cooling	Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4, 9x aigo AR12
Memory	32GB GSkill TridentZ Neo DDR4-4000 CL18-22-22-42
Video Card(s)	MSI Ventus 2x Geforce RTX 3070
Storage	1TB MX300 M.2 OS + Games, + cloud mostly
Display(s)	Samsung 40" 4k (TV)
Case	Lian Li PC-011 Dynamic EVO Black
Audio Device(s)	onboard HD -> Yamaha 5.1
Power Supply	EVGA 850 GQ
Mouse	Logitech wireless
Keyboard	same
VR HMD	nah
Software	Windows 10
Benchmark Scores	no one cares anymore lols

Processor	Mysterious Engineering Prototype
Motherboard	Intel 865
Cooling	Custom block made in workshop
Memory	Corsair XMS 2GB
Video Card(s)	FireGL X3-256
Display(s)	1600x1200 SyncMaster x 2 = 3200x1200
Software	Windows 2003

System Name	BY-2021
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (65w eco profile)
Motherboard	MSI B550 Gaming Plus
Cooling	Scythe Mugen (rev 5)
Memory	2 x Kingston HyperX DDR4-3200 32 GiB
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
Storage	Samsung 980 Pro, Seagate Exos X20 TB 7200 RPM
Display(s)	Nixeus NX-EDG274K (3840x2160@144 DP) + Samsung SyncMaster 906BW (1440x900@60 HDMI-DVI)
Case	Coolermaster HAF 932 w/ USB 3.0 5.25" bay + USB 3.2 (A+C) 3.5" bay
Audio Device(s)	Realtek ALC1150, Micca OriGen+
Power Supply	Enermax Platimax 850w
Mouse	Nixeus REVEL-X
Keyboard	Tesoro Excalibur
Software	Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Benchmark Scores	Faster than the tortoise; slower than the hare.

System Name	My Rig
Processor	AMD 3950X
Motherboard	X570 TUFF GAMING PLUS
Cooling	EKWB Custom Loop, Lian Li 011 G1 distroplate/DDC 3.1 combo
Memory	4x16GB Corsair DDR4-3466
Video Card(s)	MSI Seahawk 2080 Ti EKWB block
Storage	2TB Auros NVMe Drive
Display(s)	Asus P27UQ
Case	Lian Li 011-Dynamic XL
Audio Device(s)	JBL 30X
Power Supply	Seasonic Titanium 1000W
Mouse	Razer Lancehead
Keyboard	Razer Widow Maker Keyboard
Software	Window's 10 Pro

System Name	The SwagMachine / The Sister
Processor	Core i5 3570K @5.2ghz 1.3V/ 1100T
Motherboard	ASUS P8Z77-V / ASUS M5A99X EVO
Cooling	Phanteks PH TC14PE / Corsair H40
Memory	M379B5273DH0-YK0 2X4GB + PVI316G213C1QK 2X4GB / 2x4GB Patriot 2133
Video Card(s)	PNY 780Ti /Windforce 7950
Storage	2xSamsung 840 EVO 250gb+WD10EZEX + WD30EZRX/ 1x WD1500 Black
Display(s)	AOC Q2963PM+Acer S200HL / Acer S200L+ LG 22LD350
Case	Fractal Define R4 / NZXT Trinity
Audio Device(s)	Asus Xonar DG / Asus Xonar DG
Power Supply	Seasonic 750X / ROSEWILL RG630-S12 630W R
Mouse	Razer Deathadder Chroma / Roccat Kone+
Keyboard	Razer Blackwidow 2013 Stealth / Roccat Isku
Software	Windows 8.1 Pro / Windows 7 Ultimate
Benchmark Scores	one time I scored a 3 on 3dmark 11

System Name	Workstation1 \| Asus G55VW-DS71
Processor	i7 970 3.8GHz \| i7 3610QM
Motherboard	RIII Formula
Cooling	EK 360 Supreme HF \| Asus G55VW
Memory	24GB Dominator \| 12GB DDR3
Video Card(s)	2x Diamond HD 6970 \| GTX 660M
Storage	2x Vertex4 256GB \| 256GB Vertex4 & 750GB HDD
Display(s)	3x Crossover 27" LED S-IPS + 30" DELL IPS
Case	Corsair Obsidian 800D
Audio Device(s)	X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro + Gigaworks G550W
Power Supply	HX1000 + NZXT Black Sleeved Extensions
Software	Win7Ult64Bit
Benchmark Scores	ballz

System Name	[Daily Driver]
Processor	[Ryzen 7 5800X3D]
Motherboard	[Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS]
Cooling	[be quiet! Dark Rock Slim]
Memory	[64GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600MHz (16GBx4)]
Video Card(s)	[PNY RTX 3070Ti XLR8]
Storage	[1TB SN850 NVMe, 4TB 990 Pro NVMe, 2TB 870 EVO SSD, 2TB SA510 SSD]
Display(s)	[2x 27" HP X27q at 1440p]
Case	[Fractal Meshify-C]
Audio Device(s)	[Steelseries Arctis Pro]
Power Supply	[CORSAIR RMx 1000]
Mouse	[Logitech G Pro Wireless]
Keyboard	[Logitech G512 Carbon (GX-Brown)]
Software	[Windows 11 64-Bit]

Processor	Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk Max WiFi
Cooling	EK Supremacy EVO Elite + EK D5 + EK 420 Rad, TT Toughfan 140x3, TT Toughfan 120x2, Arctic slim 120
Memory	32GB GSkill DDR4-3600 (F4-3600C16-8GVKC)
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte Radeon RX 7900XTX Gaming OC
Storage	WDBlack SN850X 4TB, Samsung 950Pro 512GB, Samsung 850EVO 500GB, 6TB WDRed, 36TB NAS, 8TB Lancache
Display(s)	Benq XL2730Z (1440P 144Hz, TN, Freesync) & 2x ASUS VE248
Case	Corsair Obsidian 750D
Audio Device(s)	Topping D50S + THX AAA 789, TH-X00 w/ V-Moda Boompro; 7Hz Timeless
Power Supply	Corsair HX1000i
Mouse	Sharkoon Fireglider optical
Keyboard	Corsair K95 RGB
Software	Windows 11 Pro