Comment by zozbot234

Comment by zozbot234 2 days ago

3 replies

Nowadays old-gen server hardware can be a viable alternative to a new HEDT or workstation, which would typically use top-of-the-line consumer parts. The price and performance are both broadly comparable.

hollerith 2 days ago

Isn't the typical server much noisier than, e.g., a high-end desktop (HEDT) with Noctua fans?

  • renewiltord 2 days ago

    No. Up to you to cool. I use an Epyc based system as a home server and you can’t hear it. At a previous employer we built a cluster out of these and just water cooled them. Very easy.

    This is a chassis and fan problem not a CPU problem. Some devices do need their own cooling if your case is not a rack mount. E.g. if you have a mellanox chip those run hot unless you cool them specifically. In rackmount use case that happens anyway.

  • zozbot234 2 days ago

    Depends how big the fans are. Tiny 1U rack-mountable hardware = lots of noise; huge fans = near silent with better heat removal capacity.