Windows Server 2003 or 2008 R2 for older XEON CPU's

Discussion in 'Windows Server' started by Vaako, Apr 9, 2013.

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  1. Vaako

    Vaako MDL Novice

    Jul 17, 2009
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    #1 Vaako, Apr 9, 2013
    Hi,

    I have a IBM eServer 365 and need some advice wich OS to install on it.

    The CPU's are four 2,0GHz XEON MP with Hyper-Threading with 4GB Memory installed.
    I consider to upgrade to 8GB memory if worth it? (+/- 45Euro).

    For now i'm running Windows Server 2003 (x86) and it runs quite well.

    Would I have advantages if installing Windows 2008 R2 for this older cpu's as it is x64 OS?

    Please let me now what you think and give some advice please?

    Regards,
    Vaako
     
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  2. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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    #2 sebus, Apr 9, 2013
    64-bit Intel® Xeon™ processor MP

    So yes, you can install Windows 2008 R2
    Definitely MUST upgrade to 8Gb (leaving it at 4 would be pointless really for such small amount)

    It will work better then 2003

    Then again, it depends what you need to use it for...

    sebus
     
  3. Vaako

    Vaako MDL Novice

    Jul 17, 2009
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    #3 Vaako, Apr 9, 2013 (OP)
    Well I think my cpu's are not 64-bit compatible because Windows 2008 R2 does not install, but mabe it's another problem.
    Can not find any usefull information on these cpu's.

    Right now i'm installing Windows 2003 32-bit and then I'm gonna run CPU-Z, mabe this tool can tell me if it's 64-bit compatible or not.

    Anyway if it is 64-bit compatible I'll install the Windows 2008 R2 :biggrin:
     
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  4. cocachris89

    cocachris89 MDL Senior Member

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    #4 cocachris89, Apr 9, 2013
    I just checked out the server you are using and the xeons are only x32 :(

    So it looks like you are stuck with Server 2003/2008 unfortunately. You could use the PAE patch to address more then 4GB ram though.
     
  5. Vaako

    Vaako MDL Novice

    Jul 17, 2009
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    #5 Vaako, Apr 9, 2013 (OP)
    Thank you cocaahris89 for your help.
    So I go for the 2008 32-bit version but what about that PAE patch?
    32-bit versions does not go above the 3,5GB barrier if you have 4GB installed.
     
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  6. Vaako

    Vaako MDL Novice

    Jul 17, 2009
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    #6 Vaako, Apr 10, 2013 (OP)
    I have found the information on the PAE Patch:

    h**p://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserversetup/thread/ece2d9a9-26bf-488a-a7d3-174ed0937eab/

    Wil I be able to use full 16GB of ram with that modification?
    I found 16GB ram for 83Euro incl. shipping a good deal if you ask me :D
     
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  7. cocachris89

    cocachris89 MDL Senior Member

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    #7 cocachris89, Apr 10, 2013
    Yes, you should be able to use all the ram you can fit in it, depending on your motherboards limitation.

    Just be sure to get ECC ram. Glad I could help you :D
     
  8. Mr 0x00

    Mr 0x00 MDL Novice

    Aug 19, 2012
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    #8 Mr 0x00, Apr 13, 2013
    Windows Server 2003 is XP based
    Windows Server 2008 R2 is Windows 7 based

    If it runs well, keep it this way. Unless you have a lot of Windows Vista/7 clients and want to take advantage of additional features.

    RAM upgrade would probably be a good idea, since it's not expensive. But be sure to look at your current RAM utilization to see if it even is a bottleneck. SSD in RAID1 would also speed things up. But if your CPU utilization is too high, you need a new CPU...
     
  9. Vaako

    Vaako MDL Novice

    Jul 17, 2009
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    #9 Vaako, Apr 14, 2013 (OP)
    What is the best way to find out the memory bandwidth?
    That is what you mean I guess, please explain if I got you wrong.
     
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  10. Mr 0x00

    Mr 0x00 MDL Novice

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    #10 Mr 0x00, Apr 14, 2013
    Hi!

    Start Task Manager. Under "Performance", you will see RAM utilization. If it is near the top, you are low on RAM.

    Under "Details", you can add additional columns. Enable "Page Faults". If a process if getting out of RAM, it causes a lot of page faults and slowing down its performance.

    Also, enable "CPU time" detail to see which processes are CPU bound. On Vista+, there is also Resource Monitor (under Performance), you might get a 3rd party SW that does the same thing on XP/2003.