New Server Purchase - Proc Recommendations

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mason736

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Mar 17, 2013
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I'm looking at replacing my current Dell 4 node c6100. Currently run about 10-12 different vms across 3 of the nodes, mostly windows server, some windows 10 and a couple linux.

I'm looking at an HP DL380e as a possible replacement, with dual e5-2430 v2 cpus and 192gb of ram, with 25 sff 146gb SAS drives.

My budget is around 2k. Would this be a good replacement, or should o consider something different? I'd like to get the most performance per dollar, without killing the electric bill like I am now with the c6100.


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Patrick

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What CPUs are you using now? Is there a requirement to use more than 1 node? What about networking and storage? Need a rackmount?

Go V3 if you can. Many more cores so fewer nodes required.
 

mason736

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Mar 17, 2013
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I'm using a refurbished c6100 with each node running 2x Xeon x5560 procs.

I run a separate SAN for the majority of my storage,mainly music and movies.

The c6100 runs a Sophos XG VM in one node, which serves as my router and firewall.

Ideally one node would work, rather than having multiple nodes currently.

Rackmount is a necessity. I'd like a off the shelf system vs a diy build, which is why I was thinking the dl380 g8.


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Patrick

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OK. So, I can see why you are going V2. 192GB DDR4 is around $2000

My big worry is that 32 cores in your c6100 you would want 28-29 E5 V1 cores and 26 or so V2 all with the same clocks.

So you want the E5-2600 series. This is probably the kind of CPU Intel Xeon E5 2696 V2 QS 2.5GHz 12 Core 24 Threads TESTED 100% GUARANTEED | eBay

12 x 16 GBis a bit funky in these but you probably want a 2 CPU config. If you do 3 DPC you see DDR3 speeds plummet and you need to be more careful on RAM module selection.

What I personally would be looking at:
R720 Dell R720 16 SFF (2)E5-2680V2 10-C 2.80Ghz 192GB Mem PERC H710 RAID (2)750W PSU | eBay
R620 with SSDs DELL POWEREDGE R620 8x SFF 2x 10 CORE E5-2680v2 2.8GHz 192GB 8x 120GB SSD H310
Inexpensive R620 DELL POWEREDGE R620 8x SFF 2x 10 CORE E5-2660v2 2.2GHz 192GB 8x 146GB SAS H310 | eBay

I do think there is value in getting a system with everything installed so you can have someone to go back to if it does not work.

Then again, if you can go V3 that is a big upgrade but RAM prices blow your budget.
 

jahsoul

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Dec 13, 2013
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Then again, if you can go V3 that is a big upgrade but RAM prices blow your budget.
That why I haven't made that jump. You can get a motherboards and CPUs for a good price and then go to buy RAM and everything goes to hell. With all the sticks of DDR3 I have, it'll be a while before I make that jump for my server.
 

mason736

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Mar 17, 2013
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OK. So, I can see why you are going V2. 192GB DDR4 is around $2000

My big worry is that 32 cores in your c6100 you would want 28-29 E5 V1 cores and 26 or so V2 all with the same clocks.

So you want the E5-2600 series. This is probably the kind of CPU Intel Xeon E5 2696 V2 QS 2.5GHz 12 Core 24 Threads TESTED 100% GUARANTEED | eBay

12 x 16 GBis a bit funky in these but you probably want a 2 CPU config. If you do 3 DPC you see DDR3 speeds plummet and you need to be more careful on RAM module selection.

What I personally would be looking at:
R720 Dell R720 16 SFF (2)E5-2680V2 10-C 2.80Ghz 192GB Mem PERC H710 RAID (2)750W PSU | eBay
R620 with SSDs DELL POWEREDGE R620 8x SFF 2x 10 CORE E5-2680v2 2.8GHz 192GB 8x 120GB SSD H310
Inexpensive R620 DELL POWEREDGE R620 8x SFF 2x 10 CORE E5-2660v2 2.2GHz 192GB 8x 146GB SAS H310 | eBay

I do think there is value in getting a system with everything installed so you can have someone to go back to if it does not work.

Then again, if you can go V3 that is a big upgrade but RAM prices blow your budget.
I'm not a familiar with the differences between the V2 and V3 processors, can you layout the major differences?

Also, do you prefer the Dell R720's over the HP DL380's?
 

dwright1542

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I'm not a familiar with the differences between the V2 and V3 processors, can you layout the major differences?

Also, do you prefer the Dell R720's over the HP DL380's?
A year ago, it wouldn't have mattered, but with HP now, you have to have the server under warranty to get any firmware / driver updates. I'd 100% stick with the Dells now. IF you are looking for R720's make sure you check for Google G100. They are re-badged R720's. I've gotten some for $500-ish.

-D
 
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mason736

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A year ago, it wouldn't have mattered, but with HP now, you have to have the server under warranty to get any firmware / driver updates. I'd 100% stick with the Dells now. IF you are looking for R720's make sure you check for Google G100. They are re-badged R720's. I've gotten some for $500-ish.

-D
Great! Thanks for the heads up!

On side note, this is why this community is so great. Very few other forums have a community as helpful as this one!
 

Patrick

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I'm not a familiar with the differences between the V2 and V3 processors, can you layout the major differences?

Also, do you prefer the Dell R720's over the HP DL380's?
Sorry to do this but this was the last generation I covered at Tom's before focusing on STH. I think this is a good overview Intel Xeon E5-2600 V3 Review: Haswell-EP Redefines Fast

Key points:
  • More cores/ threads (max cores went from 12 to 18)
  • 2nd gen 22nm
  • The power up/ down of the cores is much better on V3 v. V2
  • FIVR
  • DDR4 for higher bandwidth and lower power consumption
  • QPI bump up to 9.6GT/s
  • AVX 2.0
  • Better USB 3.0 support
For most usage, V3 at the same core count can use less power than V2. You also have the upgrade path to V4 in the future whereas with V2 you are at the end of the line for a platform.
 

mason736

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I'm not a familiar with the differences between the V2 and V3 processors, can you layout the major differences?

Also, do you prefer the Dell R720's over the HP DL380's?
What are your thoughts on Supermicro servers, rather than Dell?
 

Patrick

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Supermicro uses more vanilla firmware and does not have the same paywall restrictions as HPE. If you have the upgraded iDRAC unit on the Dell ($) then the management is better. If you do not, Supermicro management is better since you get iKVM at all times.

We use and review both. No qualms about using Supermicro even in our production cluster.
 
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mason736

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Mar 17, 2013
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Supermicro uses more vanilla firmware and does not have the same paywall restrictions as HPE. If you have the upgraded iDRAC unit on the Dell ($) then the management is better. If you do not, Supermicro management is better since you get iKVM at all times.

We use and review both. No qualms about using Supermicro even in our production cluster.
There are a ton of SuperMicro configurations and chassis numbers, which one is closest in comparison to the Dell R720, R620 or HP DL 380 series?
 

JohnRB

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I always knew about supermicro and seen plenty of them but for some reason never purchased one until about 18mo ago. I am super happy and rarely deal with anything else these days. They have yet to let me down and I will rarely buy anything else these days. But I mainly build from the ground up, I cant speak on fully configured server purchases from SM but I would assume the similar results.
 

mason736

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Mar 17, 2013
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There are a ton of SuperMicro configurations and chassis numbers, which one is closest in comparison to the Dell R720, R620 or HP DL 380 series?
After have 2 kids in the last 18 months, and switching jobs, I'm now in a position to move forward with this original thread. Back to the discussion of the Dell R720/620 or Supermicro.

Can anyone recommend a comparable Supermicro chassis/machine that is comparable to the Dell R720 or R620?

Thanks,
Mason
 

Sapphiron

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Mar 2, 2018
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After have 2 kids in the last 18 months, and switching jobs, I'm now in a position to move forward with this original thread. Back to the discussion of the Dell R720/620 or Supermicro.

Can anyone recommend a comparable Supermicro chassis/machine that is comparable to the Dell R720 or R620?

Thanks,
Mason
The Supermicro Ultra servers seem very similar:
Ultra Servers | Super Micro Computer, Inc.

I think the WIO series is more popular in the datacentre

But looking at your current usage, Dell R720 and R620 and the Supermicro Ultra servers might be overkill and not good value for money.

I usually use thinkmate.com to configure Supermicro boxes, to get a better idea of how the costs compare, once they are configured.