Howdy, Quick (but I'm sure not simple) question regarding processor choice. I've been running some TF2 servers (and now L4D servers as well) on an AMD-based server with CentOS for a while. Currently have 2 x dual core 2.8GHz previous-gen Opterons in the box. FYI, the machine is on a 100Mbps connection in a datacenter with way more connectivity than that so I'm not at all bandwidth constrained.
After much tuning, I'm still not happy with the overall performance. On TF2 every user takes up about 5% CPU on a core. After 12-14 users (depending on the map) I start to use enough CPU (50-80%) that I get nervous about choke and other performance issues. 20 or so would probably be the limit on this hardware. It's not a very popular server so we've never hit the limit. ;) I'm looking at building a second box for more TF2 servers. I've heard anecdotally that Intel systems run SRCDS _much_ better than AMD hardware. At this point I have to believe it b/c while this Opteron system isn't top of the line, it's plenty quick for other purposes I've thrown at the same hardware (database, web, etc). So I'm going to give a run at Intel hardware. The new server I'm building isn't going to be racked, however, so I have some flexibility in hardware options. What I'm trying to assess at this point is the difference in performance between a core 2 duo, an i7, and a xeon proc when it comes to SRCDS. I'm hoping to do a head to head on all these setups in a bit (I've got access to a lot of systems) but I don't have time to test them out right now. Any advice on # of TF2 slots on various hardware ppl have would be very much appreciated. Thanks bruce _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds_linux
