I'll look on it. Maybe there is a better hardware available? Dual core is enough, UT2004 server really uses 1 core only. Am I wrong? Thanks for the Linux offer, but when watching the troubles of servers running it, I think we'll stay with Windows.

2 Cores here foibos.

How to check it to be 100% sure?

Depends on what the cores are doing. One core can handle the engine and other one just rendering.

Ok, the only question left is the CPU type. i5-2500k or i7-2600k? However the cheap motherboard (but we don't need the advanced features) does not support the new Xeons, but as far as i know, they are only the more quality Sandy Bridges.

http://www.servethehome.com/intel-xeon-e3-1220-sandy-bridge-benchmarks-review/
http://www.servethehome.com/intel-xeon-e31230-sandy-bridge-benchmarks-review-with-hyperthreading/
http://www.servethehome.com/intel-xeon-e3-1280-fastest-sandy-bridge-benchmarks-review/

Current CPU: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E8400+%40+3.00GHz
i5: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-2500K+%40+3.30GHz
i7: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-2600K+%40+3.40GHz

Can we stay with the modest Windows XP or have the new components some special requirements and a newer system is needed?

Edit: I found this.

Thats probably the reason why it used only 1 core

foibos wrote:
Edit: I found this.

That's bollocks.

I see. Well, could we stay on XP?

Is there a specific reason to stick with Windows XP (and not use Windows 7, assuming there won't be issues with license)? Regarding linux stability - well it's probably worse than Windows, but on LDG I managed to subtle the crashes to minimum. I myself would choose Linux in this case, because there you have greater control over the OS. We're maintaining LDG with ssh / scp and a simple web interface for comfort.

Regarding new HW: I'm not very convinced that the current HW would not be enough to run the server, to me it seems the performance issues and the resulting lag is trigger by some bug in ut2004. It once happened on LDG Server #2, and the server had just 2 players. Result: processor usage was high (40-50% (Xeon X3360, 2.83 GHz, 4 cores), and everybodys ping bigger than 150). I have no idea what triggers it. It occurs only exceptionally on LDG fortunately. Also keep in mind that the game was out in 2004, which is 7 years ago.

Anyway - Xeon vs. Core i5 or i7 -> difference is only in motherboard desgin for them and high-level reliability; Xeon is made for multiprocessor systems for clusters. In short, for you there is no need to use Xeon, it won't make any difference with a comparable Core i5 or i7 in terms of performace, just cost more. Regarding SSD: The only thing that SSD would affect is loading of the maps / packages - so it would be a waste of money.

Do you agree? I'm especially asking the donors, because it's about their money.

Sounds very good foib! +1