linux - Is it a good plan to use a desktop tower as a server than purchase an actual tower server?

08
2014-07
  • Edward_178118

    I have a Dell PowerEdge SC430 which is now 8 years old. I want to replace this server with a new one, but it was suggested to me so get a Desktop tower with the same specs because it's going to be quieter to operate. I'm planning on getting a server tower which would hold 4 hard disk drives (Two 1 TB and two 2TB) and 32GB of RAM. It would run CentOS and be on in my home 24/7 either in the basement or the den. In either case I might be just a few feet away from it. The Dell PowerEdge SC430 which only has two 80GB internal drives and 4GB of RAM is quiet, but I don't know if going to be that quiet with something like a PowerEdge T620.

    Besides the possible noise factor of a server tower, what is the real advantage of buying a server over a desktop and using it as a server if it has the same specs in terms of number of hard disks it can hold, amount of RAM and CPU processing speed? Thanks!

    • Answers
  • user2139642

    Main disadvantage of using desktop tower is memory limitations for desktop MB. 32Gb - maximum for most MB and most desktop MB does not support ECC RAM modules. It's not good for 24/7 server applications to use regular non ECC RAM.

    At work i use desktop machine with 32Gb of non ECC RAM and Slackware64 14.1. It needs reboot some times.

    Have you checked Dell PowerEdge T series? We've used them in remote offices of our company. It's quiet enough devices with true server appliance.

  • Julian Knight

    You can expect dedicated server hardware to be much more reliable than a low-cost tower which is likely to have consumer grade hardware inside. Also, most people buying towers are not so likely to worry about the noise and they may well be just as noisy as a server.

    Really, the only way to control the noise to any degree would be to build your own machine. That way, you could buy exactly the components you want and apply as much sound deadening as you like.

    A further consideration for sound is what kind of floor or shelf it is on. My old tower is pretty quiet to run thanks to me replacing various fan's over the years BUT it is in the loft on a floor that seems to act as a sounding board! So if it is processing anything at night-time, the buzz is noticeable in the bedrooms below.

    The other thing to think about is cost. The PC you are considering is fairly meaty and will likely cost a fair bit in electricity to keep running (which is why I've switched from using my tower as a server to using a dedicated NAS). You are more likely to be able to get a server than a tower that uses less power.

  • Joe Harper

    If I were you I'd spec up a tower yourself and ideally, build it myself. Just ensure that you do the standard "just in case" measures such as mirroring the hard drives and ensure you've got good cooling.


    • Related Question

    Brand new Mac Pro tower fan suddenly runs full-tilt
  • Caffeine Coma

    My Quad-Core Mac Pro tower is two days old. Initially, I was impressed with how quiet it was compared to my older Macbook Pro. Then on day two, for some reason it started running very loudly. It's not just a "little" loud- my wife walked into the room and asked what the noise was.

    At first I thought this was just because I was hitting the CPU a bit (importing my iPhone library into iLife '09, and running Eclipse). But now that that's done, Activity Monitor shows a virtually idle CPU; there's nothing running that ought to be causing this, as far as I can tell.

    I tried powering it off & letting it cool down for a few minutes to no avail; about 10 seconds after powering up, the box gets loud again. I took a look at it with the side cover off, and it seems to be the fan near the top middle, between the power supply and the disk drive.

    It can't be a dust issue, as the machine is only 2 days old (and I peeked inside anyway just to be sure- clean). I did do a software update over the past 24 hours or so, but I can't say that it occurred immediately after that. I also did a migration of my old apps and data from my MBPro, for what it's worth.

    1. Why is it suddenly so loud?
    2. How can I monitor the fan speed and various system temperatures?

    My temps and fan speeds:

    enter image description here

    UPDATE 1:

    Took it to the Apple Store. They took it in the back (where it's presumably quieter) and ran a fan diagnostic; no problems were found. The guy also told me that it was "a little loud", but normal. I don't buy it. It was virtually silent the first 24 hours I was using it. They would not replace/service it in the store (grrr... that's why I went there, as directed by Apple Care) but said I could get a replacement from the online store, as it was just purchased. I think I will try that.

    UPDATE 2:

    Apple is letting me send it back for a replacement. Glad to see so many responses to this question mentioning that the MacPros are usually silent; it's not all just in my head.


    • Related Answers
  • emgee

    I would image the drive and take it back. Sounds like a problem in the fan control hardware and/or firmware. I have a few MacPros at work and they are quiet. The hardware test you're already doing is also a good idea.

  • ridogi

    Is there enough space behind it for air flow?

    Is the case closed when it is powered on (it should be)?

    Have you viewed "All Processes" and not just "My Processes" in activity monitor to make sure a processor isn't pegged?

    Have you run Software Update to make sure you have the latest OS?

    Have you run the Apple Hardware Test?

  • Jon Hadley

    It might be that the fan (or a bearing inside it) is broken, causing the extra noise?

    Or perhaps the temperature sensor is faulty and things the CPU is much hotter than it actually is?

    EDIT: Also, I've heard of faulty power supplies overheating the battery and laptop, might be worth checking too.