Minimum requirements for a low end server

[chudley]

I am after some advice and not sure if this is the correct place to post this, mods feel free to move it but please let me know.

What do I need to build a server that will allow me and a couple of mates to play either locally or over the net. Money is tight but I do have an old PC which I can cannibalise: 1.8Ghz athlon XP and 512 ram.

May also be able to get hold of a Sempron 2.8 with 512MB ram.

I have no ADSL router yet!

All suggestions welcome, including buying a full cheap system from scratch ( I will have to do some pusuading on the latter though) and if it goes down this line it will be opened up to a few morw people but still must remain private.

Hope this all makes sense.

Cheers

 

[FragTek]

That old Athlon processor will work out perfectly for a low-end server machine mate. What you will want to focus on after that is RAM. Get yourself at least a gig to keep the box running smoothly. Depending on how many people you plan on having play on your server 512 may even be enough if it's just for a local LAN or small 12-16 slot net server.

What games do you plan on hosting with this box? This would better decide how much RAM you need (ie. BF2 requires a good amount of mem compared to HL2).

 

[chudley]

As quick as that- cheers Frag.

I am looking at the following games Unreal tournament, Quake 4, Delta Force, BIA may consider BF2 and Farcry. I presume there is no requirement for a high end graphics card on the server.

If I was to use it for internet games what router would you recommend?

Many thanks

 

[FragTek]

As quick as that- cheers Frag.

I am looking at the following games Unreal tournament, Quake 4, Delta Force, BIA may consider BF2 and Farcry. I presume there is no requirement for a high end graphics card on the server.

If I was to use it for internet games what router would you recommend?

Many thanks

You should be able to run all of the games listed on that processor with 1gb of RAM. Should run pretty darn well too (only one game server running at a time of course). And about the gfx card ur correct, u can use an old 2mb pci vid card if that's what floats ur boat lol

As far as the router is concerned pretty much any decent router from any of the major networking companies will work just fine. I use my Linksys WiFi router for my stuff (sometimes includes game servers) and it handles everything with ease. The only thing I've found with it is that it only allows like 15 port forwards which gets a bit shiesty if you're trying to run a whole lot of server apps (my server box hosts all sorts of shit [email, upload server, streaming vid, gaming, teamspeak, ventrillo, irc, etc...]).

Have fun!

 

[chudley]

So all I need to do now is persuade someone to buy a wireless router and install it for them. Shouldn't be too much of an obstacle

 

[FragTek]

Wait, I thought u needed it for you? lol

 

[chudley]

Two options at the moment I use my pc etc and have it in my house using my line for connection or it will be installed in a different location on someone elses broadband-

If its the latter I might be able to get money to pay for it- I am in the forces and it would go in a very small mess)

 

[FragTek]

Two options at the moment I use my pc etc and have it in my house using my line for connection or it will be installed in a different location on someone elses broadband-

If its the latter I might be able to get money to pay for it- I am in the forces and it would go in a very small mess)

OIC! Well good luck with whatever you decide