Can non-server hardware override server hardware or how to build a new server?

Question

Iron

I have a server now on a platform from supermicro

, there are 2 Xeon E5620 processors
96 GB of RAM ecc reg

unfortunately I didn’t write down the model of the motherboard, but I know that it has a PCI express slot only 3.0 (replacement) and 96GB of RAM is its ceiling

, otherwise the case is good only very noisy, I gradually began to lack the power and I thought about expanding, but since this is already the ceiling of this motherboard, I think I can assemble a server on non-server hardware? It’s just that I don’t understand server hardware at all, or maybe one of you will tell me that I’m doing something stupid ...

the options are either to leave this case and buy all the new stuffing there, but some ... or buy a non-server, motherboard, percent, etc. Please

share your experience and advice

Answer 1

In principle, the task of building an optimal piece of iron based on desktop components is completely solvable (on the basis of server components, it is also quite solvable). But there are many details to consider.
First, what is the budget?
Second, why don't you consider horizontal scaling instead of vertical scaling? For a handful of virtual machines, it would be very logical not to change hardware, but to put a new one next to the old one.
Thirdly, are you ready to donate to IPMI? This is normal in many cases, but it should still be a conscious decision.
Fourth, the maximum amount of memory on desktop motherboards. If you want more than 128 GB, then Socket LGA2066 or TRX4 (but I don’t believe that TRX4 will fit into the budget). If 128 GB is enough, then you can take AM4 or LGA1700. There is exactly one reason why you can choose LGA1700 - this is the opportunity to heroically rush into the DDR5 embrasure in the forefront (so far expensive memory and so far a small gain in performance). If there is no propensity for heroism or there is no opportunity to scatter money, then AM4 will be optimal for today.
Fifth, the number of cores. You now have two 4-core processors. Desktop hardware will have one processor. It should surpass the old ones not only in frequency, but at least not inferior in the number of cores and threads. Those. at least 8C / 16T (and even such a minimal option will already give a win).
Sixth, remember the integrated GPU. In the server solution, it was on the motherboard. Pay attention to the presence or absence of graphics cores in desktop processors. Often, with a large number of cores, there is no built-in graphics, in this case you need to remember to put a discrete "plug" (something like the GT710).
Seventh, when upgrading using a server case, you need to remember that the power supply has a non-ATX form factor. Just make sure you have a suitable spare PSU. This ATX can be bought on every corner.

Answer 2

Server solutions in the vast majority of cases are not compatible with desktop ones, neither connectors nor cooling system mounts, nor even standards (I read that even disk controllers may not start on desktop motherboards), although it can lead.
Server ATX power supplies are very good (only noisy ones)
If the processor cooling system is suitable for fasteners, leave it too, disks, controller ... it's a problem with RAM, it's ecc and most importantly ddr3, so no options - sell it on the secondary market, it should appreciate
About desktop motherboards, contrary to popular belief, they are more than suitable for the tasks of a private individual and small business, even without ecc. Problems with software - invented by someone, all modern operating systems work fine both with desktop hardware and with server hardware, rare problems are solvable, there are a number of restrictions, artificial, for example, windows server revisions will not work normally with desktop nvidia video cards.
But the price-performance ratio of desktop hardware is several times better than any server solution. The lack of vendorlock and a huge supply of components (yes, the crisis affected this, but not to death) - leaves no chance for server solutions.