Pros and cons using a gaming pc for a server

[Icemankr2000]

Hi guys need a Lil help was thinking about buying the msi 970 gaming mother bord. Looks bad ass but I also want to use it as a server as well. What are your thoughts or recommendations for motherboards to do both. Any feedback would be much appreciated thank yall

 

[alucasa]

Any reason you need a GPU for a server?

 

[Icemankr2000]

Well wanted for my gaming aspect, when I host games etc but I'm prob gonna use it more for server abilities. Gaming about 30% of the time I'm thinking

Was wondering wat people thoughts on having a gamer board and a server together or even if it worth having both in one or just focus on 1 or the other

 

[alucasa]

As far as I know, gaming servers don't use GPU. I know there are some that do use GPU but most don't. As a server is on 24hr, power efficiency and heat matters. Remove GPU if not needed.

 

[newtekie1]

The question has to be asked, what are you using this server for?

 

[Caring1]

If you use the system for dual purposes, gaming and as a server, you will need a quality multi threaded CPU like the 6700K to handle tasks and a GPU adequate for your gaming needs, also do not scimp on the PSU as that needs to be reliable and of high quality.
Note that frame rates may drop while hosting games or any other CPU intensive work.
Personally it may be better to host from a secondary system which doesn't have to be as fast as a gaming system.

 

[Icemankr2000]

Thank u soon much

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

MSI 970 Gaming runs very hot at the northbridge.

This is the wrong board for full load 24/7


What are the other components in the build?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Any motherboard can be used as a server. All you need is a bunch (or just one) drive and a network connection, allow sharing and you got a basic server.

 

[Icemankr2000]

Thanks that's pretty much wat I want something less than 6 users at once.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Also, you might want to try to cram as much memory into your rig, server operations like lots of it.

 

[Icemankr2000]

Heck ya was thinking 16 at minimum

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Heck ya was thinking 16 at minimum

I'd go for the max the board can handle.

 

[Icemankr2000]

Just added to my cart. Thanks

 

[Kursah]

Depends on what you're hosting...but 16 is a good start.

What games you planning on hosting and playing?

What OS are you planning to use? You might consider virtualizing a server that runs inside your OS that is dedicated to host games (a la MineOS on Turnkey Linux is one I use to host 5 MC servers with ease in VM form...).

If you are going to be hosting game servers, get familiar with commands and command line interface regardless of OS, understand network terminology and functions and set a static IP address for your PC/server. Know how to port forward from your routers firewall.

Also consider a dynamic DNS service if you don't have a static internet IP address. I use Afraid.org's free dynamic DNS service and have my router check in anytime my ISP renews my public IP address.

Understand that there's a lot involved for hosting a server at home. Most have a dedicated device...which is why for you I mention virtualization. It'll act as a physical system and you run it in your OS, assign it virtual CPU cores and dedicate some RAM and HDD space to it and go. Could be nice to not clog your main OS with extra server shit...

Windows 8 and newer can take advantage of installing Hyper-V as a feature...and its the same virtualizer that Windows Server uses. Would be a great place to start...fire up a VM, install an OS and game server services, link it to a virtual switch that binds to your current NIC or one you add dedicated to it. Heck you could play while hosting and it'd be workable. Though I'd run a dedicated storage device or array for the hosted services...keep your gaming stuff separated from the server stuff. Then if you're ever done with it or move to a better dedicated solution...migrate the VM and free up resources on your PC. Even shutting down a VM will free up CPU cycles and RAM...that dedicated hosting will not. Plus hosting various games on one system gets messy...do that shit virtually and keep your gaming rig clean.

There's of ways to go about this and I hope we can all give you some direction to decide if this is right for you.