High-powered 1U servers make the grade

The MPC Web site offers easy ordering options to get a server fully populated with memory and drives, and also offers enterprise-level options such as FC HBAs and APC rack mount kits and UPS systems. However, the prices are relatively high, especially when the similar Gateway comes in with better performance at a lower price.

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Supermicro SuperServer 6014P-TR

The SuperServer is the dark horse of this server test, and its top-notch showing was a pleasant surprise. Although less well-known than the other players, it offers superb performance, huge capacity (20 times that of the HP server as tested), and the lowest price by a wide margin.

The server has eight DIMM slots for a higher memory capacity, four drive bays for higher storage capacity, and an integrated RAID 5 SATA controller. Fully loaded with two 3.8GHz Xeons, 24GB of RAM, more than a terabyte formatted in RAID 5, and using 400GB drives, the SuperServer offers huge bang for the buck.

You do have to make a choice between configuring the SuperServer system with two power supplies or two PCI-X slots, but the only thing you're likely to want otherwise is an FC controller, which will fit in the one remaining slot. The optional server management module doesn't use a slot.

The other limitation comes on the support side. Supermicro doesn't sell directly to consumers; its Web site lists only the retailers that carry its products, and not all carry the whole product line.

Support will also vary depending on the retailer from which you buy the server, which may be an issue for some companies. However, the server is worth a little extra work to find it, with truly excellent performance and very low price.

Small workhorses

It's clear that 1U servers are not just for compute nodes or Web farms any longer. With a formatted capacity of as much as 1.6TB, dual 3.8GHz Xeons, 12GB RAM, and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, one of these small servers will handle most computing chores short of a full-on database system. They all do this with good redundancy, too -- dual power supplies, hot-swap drives and fans, even spare memory modules for RAID-like system memory redundancy.

From a price/performance standpoint, the Supermicro system is a standout, with great disk performance, huge capacity, fast processors, and the lowest price in the group. Supermicro does not sell directly, which means finding service may be an issue and you'll need to find a retailer that carries the particular model you're looking for -- your price may vary but should still be on the low end of the spectrum.

The other three systems come from better-known brands and offer more extensive service organizations and some additional features such as online spare memory. The Gateway and MPC are both easy to order direct and offer the ability to get servers pre-configured with all the extras you want. Plus, the Gateway's performance is very good.

The HP is a workhorse from a long line of workhorses -- you will pay more for the same level of performance but can expect good service and reliability. The HP is also the only system to offer two full-length PCI-X slots, and it includes the iLO controller, which is an extra add-on cost with the other systems.