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Server Hardware Question

I plan to build a new server for our office to replace existing 6 year old hardware and i am asking for opinion on # of CPU and RAM. We have 55 staff in total and don't expect that # to grow much in next 5 years.

The server will be configured with 3 x VMWARE virtualized Windows Server 2012 Installs as follows:
1. Domain Controller (55 CALs)
2. Exchange 2013 (55 CALs)
3. Remote Desktop (Terminal) Server (20 CALs)

One server guy I know says a single 6 or 8 core Xeon would suffice while another person says go with 2 x 8 core Xeons. I don't want to waste company budget but I'd rather have too much power than not enough.

Any thoughts?

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Seth Simmons

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Steve Hood

ASKER

These are my options so far (provided to me by vendors). I see big difference here.

Vendor #1 suggests I go with
IBM x3500 M5 Server
2 x Xeon E5-2640v3/2.6GHz CPU 8 Core
64GB Memory

Vendor #2
HP ProLiant ML350 Gen9
1 x Intel Xeon E5-2620V3/2.4Ghz (3.2Ghz) 6 Core
64GB Memory

Steve Hood

ASKER

I am being told VMWARE with Veeam for backup is best route to take. Is this correct?

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Member_2_6293206

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