Discussion Is a 2014 Xeon build still relevant in 2024 ?

[GuyFreakz]

I'm thinking to buy a server for my store and warehouse. I'll use it to host Odoo and might be Magento to improve my business workflow and sales.
Since my budget is a bit low, I'm thinking to buy the server from an online second hand computer store, and this is what they offered:

• Intel Xeon E5-2699v3 (Core 18/36, Cache 45MB, released 2014)
• Mainboard Intel X99Z (brand is due to available stock)
• Memory 64GB (16GB x 4) DDR4 3200Mhz non ECC
• VGA Nvidia Geforce GT610 2GB DDR3
• SSD ADATA LEGEND 710 512GB NVME + 2 TB unknown 7200rpm hdd
• PSU 550 80+Bronze
• etc: Lan Card, Wi-fi, Tower Fan & Casing

This'll cost me around USD 620 before VAT, while a Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 V2 Tower Xeon E-2324G 32GB 1TB SATA+512GB SSD could cost me double that.

Do you think the second hand server is still worth it or should I splash some cash for the newer Lenovo server?
Or... I could just build a PC with AMD Ryzen / Intel Core i7???

 

[Ralston18]

Used hardware may have some advantages. However there are risks.

Will you be managing the server yourself or have some other source for IT support?

A new server will (hopefully) have some manufacturer and/or vendor support via warranties etc..

Very sure that you have more than enough to do without needing to also deal with server issues: hardware, software, connectivity, maintenance, backups, security, etc..

Trade-offs indeed: how do you value your time? How many of your hours will consume saving USD 620 that could have been used for a new server?

New has risks as well but likely more manageable.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

[GuyFreakz]

Used hardware may have some advantages. However there are risks.

Will you be managing the server yourself or have some other source for IT support?

A new server will (hopefully) have some manufacturer and/or vendor support via warranties etc..

Very sure that you have more than enough to do without needing to also deal with server issues: hardware, software, connectivity, maintenance, backups, security, etc..

Trade-offs indeed: how do you value your time? How many of your hours will consume saving USD 620 that could have been used for a new server?

New has risks as well but likely more manageable.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Yep, I'm very well aware of the risks involved in the non-technical aspects, such as warranty. Right now, I'm looking for technical advice regarding the build itself. Will it function well? Since the processor is 10 years old, I'm concerned that it might even perform worse than a modern Intel i3 Gen 13.

My budget is around $600 USD, which is roughly the same as renting a VPS on DigitalOcean for a year. I'm still unsure if Odoo will be beneficial for my company. If it works well, I'm happy to invest in newer hardware, even if it means using this used server as a workstation for my staff.

Regarding IT support: I work with a freelance programmer who has some server administration knowledge. He actually recommended the Lenovo server. However, since I'm unsure if our project will go according to plan, I'm hesitant to invest in more expensive hardware at this stage.

You're absolutely right about the trade-offs. I need to consider how much time I value and how much time troubleshooting the used server might take compared to the cost savings. Thank you for your concern, I truly appreciate it.

 

[USAFRet]

Think long term. This is already 10 years old.
5-8-10 years from now....

 

[kanewolf]

Yep, I'm very well aware of the risks involved in the non-technical aspects, such as warranty. Right now, I'm looking for technical advice regarding the build itself. Will it function well? Since the processor is 10 years old, I'm concerned that it might even perform worse than a modern Intel i3 Gen 13.

My budget is around $600 USD, which is roughly the same as renting a VPS on DigitalOcean for a year. I'm still unsure if Odoo will be beneficial for my company. If it works well, I'm happy to invest in newer hardware, even if it means using this used server as a workstation for my staff.

Regarding IT support: I work with a freelance programmer who has some server administration knowledge. He actually recommended the Lenovo server. However, since I'm unsure if our project will go according to plan, I'm hesitant to invest in more expensive hardware at this stage.

You're absolutely right about the trade-offs. I need to consider how much time I value and how much time troubleshooting the used server might take compared to the cost savings. Thank you for your concern, I truly appreciate it.

It probably will be slower on single threaded. Here is a benchmark comparison -- https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/5156vs2366/Intel-i3-13100F-vs-Intel-Xeon-E5-2699-v3
BUT it has ECC RAM and other reliability features.
If it were me, I would look for a used HP ML350 G9 (larger quieter chassis) or a DL380G9. A true server chassis with dual hot-swap power supplies.

 

[Ralston18]

With all due respect to the freelance programmer: there is a an old saying to the effect of "Beware of programmers with screwdrivers".

Task the programmer with putting together a more detailed plan regarding hardware, software, implementation, testing, administration, timelines, etc..

Including other options and considerations such as what has been posted above: e.g. the cited servers.

Especially if you are considering him or her for employment of some sort.

Objective to determine if there is enough of a skill set in place to go beyond just recommending a server.

Hopefully so, but you really need to know (as best you can) beforehand if all can be done and done within budget. Before and after implementation.

Not a plug and play or turn key project.

Very unlikely that the project will go "according to plan". Mr. Murphy will certainly make some appearances and subsequent encores.

Do not under estimate the project.

 

[faalin]

What OS are you going to run on the server?

My first thought is just get a desktop, doesnt have to be fancy, and run Hyper-V on it. Install a VM and load your software there and do testing. If everything goes well then get a beefier computer or server at that point, you can then migrate that VM over to the new computer.


Like @titan said used HP server are cheap, many years back i bought 2 DL380 gen6 servers to play with and cut my teeth on learning servers, think i paid $200 for each of them. I later bought a Gen8 and all 3 of them are at work in the server rack and do all my testing on them before implementing anything to the live servers.

All 3 of my servers came from https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ssn=savemyserver , great people and none of servers have not had issues with them.......there were operator errors for sure

 

[GuyFreakz]

It probably will be slower on single threaded. Here is a benchmark comparison -- https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/5156vs2366/Intel-i3-13100F-vs-Intel-Xeon-E5-2699-v3
BUT it has ECC RAM and other reliability features.
If it were me, I would look for a used HP ML350 G9 (larger quieter chassis) or a DL380G9. A true server chassis with dual hot-swap power supplies.

thanks for the insight comparison, i've decided to just built a new i3 gen13 pc.

 

[GuyFreakz]

What OS are you going to run on the server?

My first thought is just get a desktop, doesnt have to be fancy, and run Hyper-V on it. Install a VM and load your software there and do testing. If everything goes well then get a beefier computer or server at that point, you can then migrate that VM over to the new computer.


Like @titan said used HP server are cheap, many years back i bought 2 DL380 gen6 servers to play with and cut my teeth on learning servers, think i paid $200 for each of them. I later bought a Gen8 and all 3 of them are at work in the server rack and do all my testing on them before implementing anything to the live servers.

All 3 of my servers came from https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ssn=savemyserver , great people and none of servers have not had issues with them.......there were operator errors for sure

ubuntu server

 

[thestryker]

thanks for the insight comparison, i've decided to just built a new i3 gen13 pc.

It will cost a bit more upfront, but if you get a CPU which is in the 12-14th generation stack starting at 1x500 or above (any non-F SKU) they can have ECC support when used with a W680 motherboard. This could potentially save you some money down the road should you want to get a more robust setup if this works out for you since you could just buy a motherboard instead of having to get CPU/motherboard.

 

[GuyFreakz]

It will cost a bit more upfront, but if you get a CPU which is in the 12-14th generation stack starting at 1x500 or above (any non-F SKU) they can have ECC support when used with a W680 motherboard. This could potentially save you some money down the road should you want to get a more robust setup if this works out for you since you could just buy a motherboard instead of having to get CPU/motherboard.

nice suggestion, thank you...

i've got my concern solved, so i'll closed this thread in 24hrs unless new concern occurs