Question

Terminal Services Server: memory or CPU which is more essential?

Asked by: ambantin

I would like to setup a terminal services lab for upto 50 computers.  I am looking for a server.
 My question is...do I spend more on memory or cpu?  
Which (memory or CPU)  has a better effect on programs that hog memory (such as editing and publishing software)?
where do I put more of my money?

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Asked On
2009-03-11 at 11:48:08ID24221120
Tags

memory

,

cpu

,

terminal

,

services

,

ram

Topics

Computer Motherboards

,

Signal Processing

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
1

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Answers

 

by: PCBONEZPosted on 2009-03-11 at 23:28:08ID: 23865310

Where do you spend more money? -- Odd way to look at it...

It's all about bandwidth really...

First look at the OS (specific version) you plan to use and see how many cpu cores it supports.
- The will help in choosing the type of CPU.

You want as much RAM for that as you can get in there.
(Within reason. Maybe start with 8GB for 50 users and see how it runs. - Total guess...)
A 32-bit OS is limited to 4GB of RAM so choose a 64-bit OS.

Faster RAM helps more than faster CPU. (Faster RAM implying faster Front Side BUS - FSB)
CPU's are so fast in comparison to RAM now that a faster CPU is just faster to be waiting for the RAM cycle to catch up.
So: a 2.0GHz CPU on a 1333MHZ FSB would probably be a faster system than a 2.8GHz CPU on an 800MHz FSB.

Get processor(s) that use "Core architecture".
Much more efficient than the old "Netburst architecture" [aka 'P4 architecture'.]

More CPU cores helps because each core has it's own bandwidth to the RAM.
- Rather like adding more lanes to the freeway..
[I do mean cores, not sockets. Total number of cores. - Again, check OS requirements/support.]
But: If OS doesn't support those cores they will be idle and wasted.

Focus on number of cores, FSB speed, and amount of RAM.
.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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