Server specs help

[GrooveMonkey]

I'm building a database server that's going to be running MS SQL 2000 server and .net application. Should I go with SATA RAID or is U320 SCSI RAID recommended? The latter is much more expensive, but is the performance worth it?

Also, should I go with dual Xeon or should I go with AMD's Opteron? I read a review here that basically tore the Xeon up.

http://www.anandtech.com/IT/showdoc.aspx?i=1935&p=9

If going with AMD, I'm thinking of this:

(2) AMD Opteron 244 - (4) 1GB ddr ram sticks - Thunder K8S S2880

What are your thoughts?

 

[Zepper]

I would guess that deployment of SATA RAID arrays for mission-critical database server applications has not been very wide as yet. I would say there needs to be more time for that to prove itself - let others catch the arrows. Until that time, SCSI is the way to go if you need reliability. Luckily the price penalty for SCSI isn't quite as great as it once was. OTOH, the budget does have to be considered. In either case you want a bullet-proof backup plan.
.bh.

 

[GrooveMonkey]

Thanks for that. I think I'll be going to SCSI on this.

As for the server motherboard specs, what are your thoughts?

 

[Zepper]

Actually I'm biased toward AMD. In database server applications, your storage I/O and memory I/O would be the primary performance points - raw processing power would be of secondary importance.
.There is(are) a forum(s) around the web for multiprocessor machines. Perhaps you could glean some insight there. I have not had a lot of experience in that area myself. You didn't mention it, but I'm assuming the memory you listed is ECC - quite important for data integrity. And perhaps registered as well depending on the mobo. Registered is a bit slower, but makes up for it with stability.
. And Tyan, Iwill or SuperMicro are usually all good choices for server mobos.
.bh.

:moon: