What hardware actually improves server performance?

oneofusjustin · **Author**

So I have a LAN box and I just hosted a 8 team csgo tournament. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Now I'm looking to upgrade my box but it isn't a game rig so I have no idea where to spend money, ssd, a real intel nic? Faster ram? My goal is a better player experience. Here is what I have now, where can I improve? FYI I was running 4 5v5 servers at once my load was 40-60% on CPU but players said it would slightly lag sometimes? Maybe because it's all in one hdd? I have no idea

I7 5820k 6 core
16 gigs average speed ddr3 ram
Onboard intel nic
7200 rpm hard drive

shavit · 11-02-2017 , 19:56 Re: What hardware actually improves server performance?

CPU for the most part.
A better HDD (or even an SSD) will be better for I/O operations such as map changing, logging to files, database connections etc.

Bacardi · *Last edited by Bacardi; 11-02-2017 at 20:19.*

Srcds is 32bit, so look CPU what have good single core performance.
And many cores for each srcds.

http://m.cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html

oneofusjustin · 11-03-2017 , 14:17 Re: What hardware actually improves server performance?

Is one ssd ok if I'm running 4 or 5 servers? Or should each server be on it's on drive? Also if my cores aren't even coming close to 100% usage is there even a point in upgrading or over locking?

msoza1 · *Last edited by msoza1; 11-04-2017 at 00:04. Reason: Adding more info*

I just got a 120GB SSD from a friend of mine, thought I would put my servers on just for shitz and giggles and so far me and my friends agreed that load times are much quicker, we don't hang on loading screens as much as we used to, especially me since I'm hosting off my main rig.
Edit: It'd be useful if you had a Dual Core CPU or higher, and even better if it has Hyperthreading. It also helps to have at least 8 GB of RAM but I've hosted servers on 6 GB without fail. Linux uses less resources than any other Operating Systems, so it's probably a good idea to stick with that OS, unless you don't want to change Operating Systems. As for Lag issues, make sure you're connected using a wired (Ethernet, Coaxial, or Fiber Optic) connection, Wireless tends to lose packets and can cause lag. If you are already wired, make sure your connection is at least 2 Mbps Upload/Download.

**DarkDeviL** · 11-04-2017 , 10:47 Re: What hardware actually improves server performance?

Quote:

Originally Posted by msoza1

It also helps to have at least 8 GB of RAM but I've hosted servers on 6 GB without fail.

Since it is well known that "SRCDS" is 32-bit, you shouldn't ever expect to be using more than ~3.25 GB of RAM per server, and that is absolutely max.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msoza1

Linux uses less resources than any other Operating Systems, so it's probably a good idea to stick with that OS,

+1.