PC vs Server?
 

I plan to buy a new computer to play some MMORPG's. I just want to know if running a game on a Server is just as efficient as running it on a gaming PC. Also whats the difference in hardware I should know. Is there different type of ram? etc... Thanks for your help!

One of the main hardware differences between a server and a PC is the way in which the hard disks are arranged. Servers typically have what is known as RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks - it should actually be expensive disks!).

As far as gaming is concerned you will be fine with a PC provided it has a fast processor and lots of RAM. If you have a server with RAID or a PC with just a normal hard disk you will not notice any difference in speed of play.

RAM is going to be the biggest factor in your gaming. Servers often use different types of RAM as opposed to PCs but the RAM in PCs is better geared toward gaming.

But will I be able to run games on servers with efficiency? Also what is the difference for graphic cards?

Assuming the server was set up properly, yes, the game would run efficiently.

As far as graphics cards go, a server typically has lower end graphics cards mainly due to the fact that once a server is setup there is usually very little interaction with it.

Let me clarify something. I'm a network administrator and the type of server I'm referring to is the type used for running applications and storing data.

If there is a special type of server used in gaming I'm not familiar with it.

Actually most newer motherboards have RAID on them anymore. and there really isn't a difference at all between a server or a PC. They're both just computers. Just make sure that your computer meets the system requirements of whatever game you want to play. The requirements are usually listed on the box.

Many servers run SCSI disks instead of IDE, thus increasing speed. As "Belkins" said above, RAID is commonly used as well; being mostly RAID 5 in server environments for the read speed and ability to continue running should one of the drives fail. Also, hot-swapping is usually available.

As for server processors versus desktop processors, desktop processors tend to do better in gaming than the server processors, especially for the price. :) An Athlon XP or Athlon 64 will beat out an Opteron or Xeon any day of the week in gaming.

-Lasereth

Servers are for serving up the game and PC is for playing the game, the two can be setup identically and used interchangably (your PC can act as a game server as well as gaming machine) but typically you setup servers to run 24/7 and hardly be interacted with and PC's you use for all your gaming/computing.

Thanks for some great info. I just want to clarify, so regular graphic cards don't work on Servers?

Usually no. Most servers won't have a AGP slot in them typically because they don't do a lot of 3d rendering because it's a webserver, file server, etc. You want a PC, trust all of us. There is no reason to get a server unless you need to serve something besides some n00bz!

They do work on servers, you just gotta find a server motherboard that has an AGP slot. Most server PCs don't have a 3D acceleration card though.

-Lasereth

What about PCI slots?

There are no decent PCI video cards.

Seriously, if you are playing games, you want a PC. Its cheaper and will work better.

depending on the type of server hardware you may acquire, it may have an equal or greater number of PCI slots. (I would expect to find more 64-bit PCI slots, and/or PCI-X slots on a server).

Keep in mind that what belkins said is right on, you won't find gaming-class video cards on server-class hardware. And ditto for Lasereth, don't expect to see too many AGP slots on server hardware.

The ideal compromise is to find hardware that is in-between, like the Dell Precision line. You can get 15,000-rpm SCSI drives attached to a hardware RAID controller. You can have dual processors, multiple gigs of RAM, etc., etc., and you'll get an 8x AGP slot for your video card on the 360, 450 & 650. Some serious potential there. There's a new model, the 670, which doesn't have an AGP slot but rather a PCI-e slot check out this thread. If you're looking to save some money, check out the dell outlet

Of course, if you're looking to build it yourself, you have lots of options.