[Krom]

I probably know the answer to this, but if you guys can just confirm it.

When I set up a machine as a dedicated CS server and clients connect to it, what is actually doing the work, the server or the clients? Does the server act as a conduit, or does it actually run the game for all the clients?

The reason I'm asking is when I get my old P2 450MHz system back from the wife, I am wondering if it is even worth it to upgrade it and use it as a dedicated server for small LAN parties of 16 people or less.

If so, how much can I upgrade it? Here is what is in it currently:
ABIT BX-6 MB
P2 450 MHz CPU
512 MB SDRAM (I know I'm running Win98 and it's only using 256MB of it)
20 GB HD

I suspect it isn't worth it to upgrade it with the deals out in the market now. But I thought I'd ask. Hell, I still have my first system I ever built, a Pentium 166. I use it as a stand for my Dell.

I have a feeling it will go in my rack for a network test machine, but I thought I'd check with you guys.

[Hellwalker]

BX6 will support up to PIII 600.

BX6 2.0 will support up to PIII 700.

"According to Intel 440BX chipset datasheet, the 133fsb processors are not supported by this chipset and out of the specification. Although some 133fsb options are available inside the SoftMenu, it doesn't mean these kinds of processors can work and be stable on this mainboard."

Win98 will use 512MB.

CPU not worth the upgrade. Better off putting the money into a lowerend AMD/motherboard combo in the 1 Ghz range.

[BubbaJudge]

the server runs the game for all clients, and does everything except render it graphically, that it leaves, to the client.

i think if brought it to a piii 600 you would be fine as long as you stuck some more ram in there

that has 4 dram slots?

regardless, if you could get some 512 sdram sticks and get it to at least 1gb i think you would have a nice little server.

from my experience, ram and connection ar the most important for a server

unfortunately, win 98 wont handle more than 512 so i would recommend going to win xp

i noticed you run ME on your gamebox, and i would also migrate that to XP

I can send you WinXP pro and the instructions on how to setup longterm "evaluation" machines

[BubbaJudge]

oh and i just happen to have a 512mb stick of pc133 laying around here somewhere

that mobo only supports pc100 but thats not a biggee, i'd be happy to send it to you also


this has got me thinking, i have desperately been wanting a local server

do you have access to any kind of decent connection hosting? i would probably be more than willing to buy a server if i could find someone who could host it on a good connection at a cutrate price

[WIDOWMAKER99]

you mainboard will not handle 512 meg dimms most likely .. a limitation of the bx chipset

also of note most bx chipsets max out at 768 meg of sd ram

reguardless of what bubba sends ya .. the board will detect a 512 meg dimm as 256 meg ..and hence only use hafl of the dimm and crashes may occure more frequently

your only way around that is use more 256 meg dimms ..and dont use 512 meg dimms the board will not recognize then ..i know i had one..and still do

also check for any and all bios updates for your motherboard and get the fastest p 3 cpu you can get ..also only buy and use high quality cas latency 2 system ram it'll be expensive ..and like hellwalker said

buying a new 1 gig cpu and matching AMD based motherboard would be alot cheaper and a better deal and give ya more bang for your buck

keep in mind tho if you use any ISA cards in the current system you may have to get PCI replacements for those cards ..

and the biggest performance boost you can give your server is get a real FAT PIPE TO HOST ON

t 1 or better

[BubbaJudge]

didnt know that, thanks Wid for info on that limitation

guess you should go with 256 sticks then Krom, but let me know about the other stuff

I'm gonna send off this stick to Sir Hellwalker for his kid's machine

[WIDOWMAKER99]

no prb just dont wanna see krom or anyone dump cash into an old bx mainboard ..and think it's a server soluton .. you were one of the first of us (bubba) to adopt the AMD boards (and cpu's ) and i know you had a 440 bx chipset at onetime bubba but back then if we were able to find 256 meg dimms for em they were real expensive ..remember ?

if krom wants to use that old board and yea it'll work .. but he will need 768 meg of good cas 2 latency memory PC100 or better sd ram dimms

just my recomedation.. and at least a p 3 500 or better ..and win xp or win 2000 for any server (for best results )

tho he should max out his system memory to at least 768 meg of sd ram ..and max out his cpu capability .... first if he can find used parts ..cheap enough



but if he does build an AMD based system heed this warning ..KEEP IT COOL ..and be very careful when putting on a good quality heatsink/fan .. i chipped my and cpu so slightly it's not funny .. system never booted again till i bought a new cpu ..never had that issiue with any intel chip i ever owned ..since they all came with heatsink and fan built on the retail package

but the biggest bang comes from open bandwidth and server upload and download speed ..a p 2 450 should be fine for a single cs server tho

[Krom]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

That P2 450 is going into my network rack. As I thought, it's not worth throw any money into it. I'll set it to dual boot Win NT client and Win ME for network testing purpose and throw my tape drive in for backups.

I'll keep an eye out for parts to make a server. I just want something I can drag to LAN parties and so I can learn about administrating one. It will mostly be on a LAN, but I may put it on the DMZ of my firewall and let you guys have at it.

You guys have any input on setting a server up on Linux? I have some Unix and RedHat experience, but nothing to brag about. You think I can fumble through it?

[BubbaJudge]

LT and Q are our resident Linux fanboys, they will probly help ya out.

well my offer is still good bout the XP, so let me know, im sure your new game rig will have it

also, if you ever hear about a good local server ISP,for a good price, pass the info my way

[WIDOWMAKER99]

dump win ME dude just use XP

yea if ya wanna go linux go for it .. dunno what to say .never used it .. but dump ME it has a serious memory leak that has never been fixed or addressed

old page

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973...73,10816,00.asp

this has to my knowlage never been fixed

please read the page before you decide to load winblows ME again

[Hellwalker]

WinME = BAD

No testing needed.