In the market for a dedicated server? Whether you’re looking for dedicated server hosting for your website, email server, or even gaming, the process of choosing the exact server configuration that’s best for you can be challenging. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with dedicated hosting technology or what the many specifications mean.
Part of the beauty of opting for a dedicated server is that you can truly personalize your hosting plan. This ensures that you’re paying for exactly what you need and nothing more. However, before you get started putting together your ideal dedicated server, there are several specifications to be aware of.
CPU
As you explore your central processing unit (CPU) options for your dedicated server, you’ll find that there are two main brands available – AMD and Intel. For many years, Intel dominated with their processors, but AMD stepped back into the game in 2019.
AMD introduced their new 7nm Ryzen 3000 line of CPUs, which offer both competitive single threaded and multithreaded performance at a lower price point than Intel. As of early 2020, AMD currently offers that fastest performing processors on the market. There are many choices to consider from both AMD and Intel depending on your budget and optimal performance.
Core Count
CPUs also have different numbers of “cores,” which refers to how many individual processors are on the server. Multi-core processors tend to be faster and have better write and recall times because of the improved CPU speeds. Some dedicated servers may have up to 128 cores; while it’s unlikely that you’ll need this level of power, it’s good to know it exists.
Keep in mind that many applications are single threaded and cannot take advantage of the additional cores. If your specific application does not support threading, then faster single threaded CPUs should be considered as higher core count CPUs will typically compromise individual thread performance for additional cores.
RAM
Random access memory (RAM) helps a dedicated server handle many different directions and applications at one time. The more RAM you have, the faster your server will operate and the less latency or lag you’ll experience – especially when running multiple programs at once.
Still, RAM allowances can vary drastically. So how can you possibly know how much your server needs? In general, you should have at least 4GB of RAM to run your dedicated server – but even this may not be enough for some user’s needs. To play it safe, a server with a RAM of at least 8 GB or more is a better option, especially if you’re hosting a website that sees a decent amount of traffic.
For gaming or other high-demand hosting needs, you can even find RAM specifications of 16 gigabytes or more. Generally, the higher the traffic you expect and the more applications you’ll be running on your server at once, the more RAM you’ll want to have.
Storage
Finally, you’ll need to decide between hard drive and solid state drive (SSD) storage for your server. Each option has its benefits and potential drawbacks. For most, solid state drives are a more practical choice because they offer faster speeds and don’t have any moving parts that could go bad. On the other hand, traditional hard drive storage tends to be less expensive, though recall times can be higher.
Don’t forget to consider how much storage space you’ll need. As you calculate your storage requirements, it’s important to factor in website growth and scaling. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you run out of storage space.
The Bottom Line
These are just a few of the most important specifications to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a dedicated hosting plan. Having a better understanding of CPUs, processors, storage, and RAM can help you make a more informed decision regarding your hosting needs. Contact ReliableSite today for more help setting up your new server!