This page won't give you an answer; it is designed to help you consider all aspects so you can make the right choice.

The server decision matrix is meant to be filled in over time. Feel free to add your own content OR comment on what is already here, using the discussion threads on the bottom of this page.

Key System Tech Specs

	2-Socket	4-Socket	Blades
Dell Systems	2950 III R805	R900 R905	M600 M605
Processors	2950 III - Quad Core Intel R805 - Quad Core AMD	R900 - Quad Core Intel R905 - Quad Core AMD	M600 - Quad Core Intel M605 - Quad Core AMD
Memory	2950 III - 8 DIMM slots R805 - 16 DIMM slots	32 DIMM slots	8 DIMM slots
Onboard NICs	2950 III - 2 Gigabit NICs R805 - 4 Gigabit NICs	4 Gigabit NICs	2 Gigabit NICs
PCI Slots	2950 III - 3 PCI Express R805 - 4 PCI Express	7 PCI Express	2 daughter cards (enabling 4 additional fabrics)

Two-Socket Servers

• Better "Performance Per Socket" than 4-socket servers - Complete VMmark Results
• R805 has large number of DIMM slots for 2-Socket server
• R805 has 4 integrated NICs
• 2950III has excellent performance results in VMmark benchmark testing results

Four-Socket Servers

• Performance of 4-socket servers is excellent, best single system performance - VMwark results with R900 and R905
• Most scalability within a single server—can start small and grow within the same server

Blades

• Power efficiency of blades is very good - Principled Technologies Power and Performance of Blades Testing Report
• Reduction in need for upstream ports
• Same processing power as traditional rack mount servers