Custom Server Builds

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```mediawiki DISPLAYTITLECustom Server Builds: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

This document details the specifications, performance characteristics, recommended use cases, comparisons, and maintenance considerations for custom-built server configurations offered by [Your Company Name]. These builds are designed to provide maximum flexibility and performance tailored to specific client needs, diverging from pre-configured, off-the-shelf solutions. This document focuses on a high-performance configuration, representing a common, yet powerful, starting point for customization. It's important to note that specific component choices can vary based on availability and client requirements, but the core principles outlined here remain consistent. Refer to our Component Selection Guide for details on available options.

1. Hardware Specifications

This configuration, designated "Apex-X," is a 2U rackmount server designed for demanding workloads. It prioritizes processing power, memory capacity, and fast storage. All components are enterprise-grade and rigorously tested for reliability.

CPU: Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ (2 x 56 cores / 112 threads, Base Frequency 2.0 GHz, Max Turbo Frequency 3.8 GHz, 320MB L3 Cache, TDP 350W) CPU Socket: LGA 4677 Chipset: Intel C741 Memory (RAM): 512GB DDR5 ECC Registered RDIMM (8 x 64GB, 5600MHz, 1:1 Interleave) – expandable to 2TB. See our RAM Compatibility Matrix for supported modules. Storage:

  • Boot Drive: 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD (Samsung 990 Pro or equivalent)
  • Primary Storage: 8 x 8TB SAS 12Gb/s 7.2K RPM Enterprise HDD (RAID 10 configuration) – controlled by a Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9600-8i
  • Cache Tier: 2 x 1.92TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD (Intel Optane P5800 or equivalent) – configured as a RAID 1 for read/write acceleration (see Storage Tiering Guide)

Network Interface Cards (NICs):

  • 2 x 100GbE QSFP28 Ports (Mellanox ConnectX-7) – supporting RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCEv2)
  • 2 x 1GbE RJ45 Ports (Intel I350-T4) – for management and out-of-band access. Details on Network Configuration Options are available.

Power Supply Units (PSUs): 2 x 1600W 80+ Titanium Redundant PSUs – providing N+1 redundancy. Refer to the Power Supply Redundancy article for further information. Chassis: 2U Rackmount Chassis (Supermicro CSE-846) – featuring hot-swappable fans and drive bays. See the Chassis Specifications document. RAID Controller: Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9600-8i – supporting RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and 50. Consult the RAID Configuration Guide for best practices. Remote Management: Integrated IPMI 2.0 interface with dedicated LAN port. Details on IPMI Configuration are available. Operating System Support: Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, Ubuntu Server, VMware ESXi, Windows Server. See the OS Compatibility List. Expansion Slots:

  • 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16
  • 1 x PCIe 4.0 x8
  • 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 (for additional NICs or HBAs)
Hardware Specifications Summary
Specification | Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ | 512GB DDR5 ECC Registered RDIMM (Expandable to 2TB) | 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD | 8 x 8TB SAS 12Gb/s 7.2K RPM HDD (RAID 10) | 2 x 1.92TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD (RAID 1) | 2 x 100GbE QSFP28, 2 x 1GbE RJ45 | 2 x 1600W 80+ Titanium | 2U Rackmount | Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9600-8i |

2. Performance Characteristics

The Apex-X configuration is engineered for high-throughput and low-latency performance. The following benchmark results are representative, but actual performance will vary depending on the specific workload and software configuration. All tests were conducted in a controlled environment with standardized testing methodologies.

CPU Performance:

  • SPEC CPU 2017 Rate (Peak): 385.2 (Integer), 721.5 (Floating Point) – these scores reflect the raw processing power of the dual Xeon Platinum processors.
  • Linpack X: 1.8 PFLOPS – demonstrating high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities.

Storage Performance:

  • Boot Drive (Sequential Read): 7,000 MB/s
  • Boot Drive (Sequential Write): 5,500 MB/s
  • Primary Storage (RAID 10, Sequential Read): 2,500 MB/s
  • Primary Storage (RAID 10, Sequential Write): 2,000 MB/s
  • Cache Tier (Sequential Read): 3,500 MB/s
  • Cache Tier (Sequential Write): 2,800 MB/s
  • IOPS (4KB Random Read/Write): 800,000 / 600,000 (Cache Tier)

Network Performance:

  • 100GbE Throughput: 95 Gbps (TCP), 85 Gbps (UDP)
  • Latency (100GbE): < 100 microseconds (using RoCEv2)

Real-World Performance:

  • VMware vSphere: Supports up to 60 virtual machines with 8 vCPUs and 64GB of RAM each.
  • Database Server (PostgreSQL): Sustains 50,000 transactions per second with a 99.99% uptime.
  • Video Encoding (Handbrake): Encodes 4K video at 60 fps in real-time.
  • High-Frequency Trading (HFT): Achieves sub-millisecond latency for order execution (requires optimized software stack).

Detailed benchmark reports are available upon request. We also offer Performance Testing Services to evaluate the configuration with your specific workload.

3. Recommended Use Cases

The Apex-X configuration is ideally suited for the following applications:

  • **Virtualization:** Hosting a large number of virtual machines with demanding resource requirements.
  • **Database Servers:** Supporting large-scale databases with high transaction rates and complex queries.
  • **High-Performance Computing (HPC):** Running scientific simulations, financial modeling, and other computationally intensive tasks.
  • **Data Analytics:** Processing and analyzing large datasets with tools like Hadoop, Spark, and Elasticsearch.
  • **Video Encoding/Transcoding:** Encoding and transcoding high-resolution video streams in real-time.
  • **Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML):** Training and deploying machine learning models.
  • **High-Frequency Trading (HFT):** Providing low-latency execution for financial trading applications. See our Low-Latency Server Optimization guide.
  • **Large File Servers:** Serving large files to multiple clients simultaneously.

4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The Apex-X configuration represents a high-end offering. Here's a comparison with other common server configurations:

Server Configuration Comparison
Apex-X | Mid-Range (Dual Xeon Silver) | Entry-Level (Single Xeon Bronze) | Dual Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+ | Dual Intel Xeon Silver 4310 | Single Intel Xeon Bronze 3430 | 512GB DDR5 | 256GB DDR4 | 64GB DDR4 | 8 x 8TB SAS + 2 x 1.92TB NVMe | 4 x 4TB SAS + 1 x 960GB NVMe | 2 x 2TB SATA | 2 x 100GbE | 2 x 10GbE | 1 x 1GbE | 2 x 1600W | 2 x 800W | 1 x 500W | $35,000 - $45,000 | $15,000 - $20,000 | $5,000 - $8,000 | Demanding virtualization, HPC, large databases | Mid-sized virtualization, database servers, application servers | Small business servers, web hosting, basic applications |

Compared to AMD EPYC-based servers: The Apex-X configuration offers competitive performance to similarly priced AMD EPYC-based servers. AMD EPYC often excels in core count, while Intel Xeon Platinum provides advantages in single-core performance and specific instruction sets. The choice between Intel and AMD depends on the specific workload and software licensing considerations. See our Intel vs AMD Server Comparison for a detailed analysis.

Compared to Cloud Providers: While cloud providers offer scalability and flexibility, a custom-built server like the Apex-X can provide better performance, control, and security for specific workloads. The total cost of ownership (TCO) should be carefully evaluated, considering cloud usage fees, data transfer costs, and the cost of hardware and maintenance. We offer TCO Analysis Services to help you make an informed decision.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining the Apex-X configuration requires careful attention to cooling, power, and component monitoring.

Cooling:

  • The 2U chassis is equipped with hot-swappable fans that provide redundant cooling.
  • Proper airflow within the rack is crucial. Ensure adequate ventilation and avoid blocking the server's intake and exhaust vents.
  • Regularly monitor CPU and component temperatures using IPMI or server management software. See Server Cooling Best Practices.
  • Consider liquid cooling solutions for extremely high-density deployments.

Power Requirements:

  • The server requires a dedicated 208-240V power circuit with sufficient amperage (minimum 30 amps).
  • The redundant PSUs provide N+1 redundancy, ensuring continued operation in the event of a PSU failure.
  • Implement a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect against power outages. UPS Selection Guide is available.
  • Monitor power consumption using IPMI or power distribution units (PDUs).

Component Monitoring:

  • Utilize IPMI or server management software to monitor CPU temperatures, fan speeds, PSU status, and disk health.
  • Implement SMART monitoring for all storage devices to detect potential failures.
  • Regularly check system logs for errors and warnings.
  • Proactive component replacement based on predicted failure rates is recommended. See our Predictive Maintenance Program.

RAID Maintenance:

  • Regularly check the status of the RAID array and ensure that all disks are healthy.
  • Implement a RAID rebuild policy to automatically rebuild failed disks.
  • Maintain a hot spare disk to minimize downtime in the event of a disk failure.

Firmware Updates:

  • Keep all firmware (BIOS, RAID controller, NICs, etc.) up to date to ensure optimal performance and security. We provide Firmware Update Services.

Physical Security:

  • The server should be housed in a secure data center with restricted access.
  • Implement physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the server.

Documentation:

  • Maintain detailed documentation of the server configuration, including hardware specifications, software installations, and network settings.

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the Apex-X custom server build. For further information, please contact our sales or technical support team. ```


Intel-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB CPU Benchmark: 8046
Core i7-8700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB CPU Benchmark: 13124
Core i9-9900K Server 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB CPU Benchmark: 49969
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Workstation 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000

AMD-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Ryzen 5 3600 Server 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 17849
Ryzen 7 7700 Server 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 35224
Ryzen 9 5950X Server 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 46045
Ryzen 9 7950X Server 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 63561
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 9454P Server 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe

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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️