Hi:

I am building a terminal server that will be running Linux K12LTSP. The server will have about 40 clients. Initially, I do not expect more that 10 to 15 clients connected at any one time.

Q: What processor would be better for a terminal server, Xeon or Pentium 4 and why?

Cheers,
Ken

The Xeon is a Pentium 4

I think what you need to ask is should I build the server with 1 Pentium 4 SP, or 2 Pentium 4 Xeon DPs.

With the release of the new Nocona core Pentium 4 Xeon DP at up to 3.6GHz on a 800Mhz FSB HT and EM64T allowing them to run a 64bit OS and programs there isn't any reason to run a server with a Pentium 4 SP when you can run single or duel Pentium 4 Xeon DPs.

As far as that goes I make the same statement for desktop PCs too my next PC will have 2 Pentium 4 Xeon DPs

You could even use Pentium 4 Xeon MP processors and install up to 4 of them.

Thank you for the reply and the education!

So, if you had to choose between a Pentium 4 2.66GHz, 533FSB w/Northwood core of Pentium 4 Xeon 2.66GHz, 533 FSB w/Prestonia core, which would you choose?

What does the Xeon do differently that makes it a superior chip for a server?

Thanks!

What does the Xeon do differently that makes it a superior chip for a server?
It can do SMP. That's about it. That's also why it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to build a server with one Xeon and not plan on buying another one. They really shine in a dual- or quad-CPU system, and truth be told any server with 2 CPU's is gonna smoke a server with one!

For instance, you'd get more server power out of two 2GHz Xeons than you would from one 3GHz P4. Even though the two Xeons wouldn't be quite as good as say, a single 4GHz P4 in terms of raw power, being able to truly multithread your tasks is worth it. And don't even think that hyper-threading makes up for having two true cores! HT is nice to have, but not that nice.

The other thing that's nice about Xeon systems is the server-end mobo/chipset. Most SMP chipsets these days include two onboard Gb LAN connections, a combination of PCI-X & PCI-E, 2-4 SATA ports, and (get this!) 12-32GB of max RAM! :eek: I mean, come on! Who wouldn't want 16GB of dual-channel DDR2 powering their next LAN party!?

Now even though Xeons pack a lot of punch in the server area, they can also be quite costly. Dual-Xeon mobos run for at least $300 a pop, and ECC registered RAM is worth more than its weight in gold, but if you're serious about having a single machine handling server duties, look no further than the Xeon (or the Opteron).

So, going back to your other question, P4 or Xeon? More like P4 or two Xeons. Which do you think you need?

And don't even think that hyper-threading makes up for having two true cores! HT is nice to have, but not that nice. How about two true cores with hyper-threading. The P4 Xeon processors also support hyper-threading

Thanks for all your input. It was very informative.

It seems clear to me that this server need the extra power of the Xeon. With dual processors and RAM expandible to 12GB, I should have a very scalable solution.

How about two true cores with hyper-threading. The P4 Xeon processors also support hyper-threading
Yes... well... um... I was getting to that! :p

The ones I'm really waiting for are the new CPU cores from both Intel and AMD that have two core in one CPU package. So, the next generation of Intel's Xeon processors are going to be SMP capable, have hyper-threading, and have two cores - 2 x 2 x hyper-threading! :cool: It's gonna be amazing...

It's gonna be amazing... Very amazing!! when you look in task manager and see 8 CPUs chugging away.