How to choose a cost-effective server network cabinet? Five key parameters cannot be ignored

With the accelerating digital transformation, server network equipment (such as rack-mount servers and network storage devices) has become a core component of enterprise IT architecture. However, with a wide variety of products on the market, how can one choose a cost-effective device that meets business needs without wasting resources or exceeding budgets?

1. CPU Performance: Computing Power Determines Efficiency

Cores and Threads:
Lightweight applications (such as file sharing and small databases) can choose 4-8 cores;
High-concurrency services (such as virtualization and AI inference) require 16 or more cores with Hyper-Threading support.

Core and Turbo Boost:
High-frequency CPUs (3.0GHz+) are suitable for single-threaded tasks (such as game servers);
Multi-core, low-frequency CPUs are more suitable for parallel computing (such as big data analysis).
AMD EPYC: High core count and high cost-performance (suitable for cloud computing).
Money-saving tip: For non-critical tasks, choose a previous-generation CPU; this offers minimal performance loss but a price reduction of over 30%.

2. Memory Capacity and Scalability
Capacity Requirements:
Basic applications (web servers): 32-64GB;
Virtualization/databases: 128GB or more with ECC support to prevent data corruption.
Slots and Frequency:
Ensure the motherboard supports future expansion (e.g., 16 DIMM slots).
DDR4-3200 or DDR5-4800: Balance performance and cost.
Avoidance Tip: Some server brands require specialized memory modules; generic modules may not be compatible!

3. Network Interface: Bandwidth and Redundancy
Number and Speed of Network Ports:
At least two Gigabit/10GbE ports (1Gbps is gradually being phased out).
For the financial/video industries, a 25G/40GbE network card is recommended (with a supported switch).
Function Support:
RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access): Reduces latency, suitable for HPC (High-Performance Computing);
Link Aggregation (LACP): Increases bandwidth and enables failover.
Best Value: Choose a model with dual 10GbE ports to avoid the cost of additional expansion cards.

4. Storage Configuration: Balancing Speed and Capacity
Drive Type:
SSD (NVMe): For high-performance requirements (e.g., databases, cache);
HDD (SATA): For large-capacity cold data storage (e.g., backups, logs). RAID Support:
Hardware RAID cards ensure data security;
Software RAID saves costs but consumes CPU resources.
Scalability:
Supports hot-swappable hard drive trays for easy online capacity expansion.
Recommended combination: 500GB SSD for the system drive + 4TB HDD for the data drive, balancing speed and cost.

5. Power Supply and Cooling: The Cornerstone of Stability
Power Redundancy:
Select 80Plus Platinum/Titanium certified power supplies with >90% efficiency.
Dual power modules (1+1 redundancy) minimize downtime risks.
Cooling Design:
2U/4U models offer superior heat dissipation compared to 1U models (suitable for high-power CPUs).
Supports intelligent fan speed control (dynamically adjusts noise levels based on temperature).
Note: For used servers, check the health of the power supplies (bulging capacitors are a common failure point).