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General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Meatwad on February 20, 2017, 09:45:38 PM

Title: Dell Poweredge 1800
Post by: Meatwad on February 20, 2017, 09:45:38 PM

I have come into one of these for free. Per the specs if I installed the second CPU, 8gm of ram, and threw in a good spec video card, would it be worthwhile to upgrade and play AH3 on it? I know its a server, but I cant pass up on free computer hardware

Currently in its default it just has a single 2.8 ghz xeon cpu 800 fsb and 1gb ddr2 400 mhz ram and onboard video. Not a great start but its a new toy to tinker with. The PC im on now will play the game fine as long as I have everything set to minimum

Title: Re: Dell Poweredge 1800
Post by: Bizman on February 21, 2017, 03:46:26 AM

One thing you'll have to know is that it uses ECC memory. I was going to say it's expensive, but a quick Google search said it isn't.

The other issue with it is the power supply. Does it feature dedicated video card pci-e connectors? If not, getting a card that doesn't need external power would be the most cost effective solution. Changing the power supply to a generic one might cause issues, the <brand> computers sometimes use non-standard wiring on standard connectors.

In any case, getting it to run AH3 fluently will cost several hundreds.

Title: Re: Dell Poweredge 1800
Post by: Skuzzy on February 21, 2017, 06:35:55 AM

ECC RAM is slower than non-ECC RAM. It should perform like a slightly slower Intel E7400 due to the ECC memory.  Not great, but with a decent video card AH3 should run okay.

Title: Re: Dell Poweredge 1800
Post by: Meatwad on February 21, 2017, 02:15:21 PM

Probability will not use it, looks like it's too much outdated for practical use. I'll probability be better off using the same money for upgrades on the pc I already use

Title: Re: Dell Poweredge 1800
Post by: Bizman on February 21, 2017, 02:29:21 PM

For AH the cost would most likely be too high compared to the benefit.

But if you'd like to tinker with it, you might use it as a file server. A mirroring Raid array would make it quite a safe storage that could be accessed with all of your devices. Photos, movies... Accessible through your router with your smart TV, your smartphone, tablet, PC...

Title: Re: Dell Poweredge 1800
Post by: Spikes on February 21, 2017, 05:00:15 PM

Yeah I'd use it as a NAS of sorts.

Title: Re: Dell Poweredge 1800
Post by: AKIron on February 21, 2017, 06:30:39 PM

If you have a small boat....

Title: Re: Dell Poweredge 1800
Post by: Bizman on February 22, 2017, 01:40:10 AM

Quote from: AKIron on February 21, 2017, 06:30:39 PM

If you have a small boat....

Hey, it's a server, they weigh quite a lot! 76 lbs at their max configuration. It would sink a small boat!   :uhoh