Calling all CS Server gurus

[Maverick]

My CS clan has recently been having a lot of problems with our CS server.
I can't be sure, but I think a lot of the problems are CPU related. Here's some specs on the server.

Celeron 400 processor
512 MB memory
4 GB Disk (mostly unused)
Win2k Professional

Server runs fine as long as there are less than 16-18 players. Once you get to 17+ everyone's ping jumps to a minimum of 200 especially on maps like cs_assault. Also sometimes it crashes when trying to load a level (very rare).

Is there some magical setting that we're missing that might be causing these problems? Or are all the problems related to the CPU being too slow. If so, would a Duron 850 CPU help the situation? Thanks.

 

[celeritas]

What kind of internet connection is it on? I'd definitely put a better CPU in it. Maybe an ATA100 7200RPM hard drive would help a bit. Your RAM is fine. I'd make sure that your clients/server is using the most recent game version, etc. Some maps are designed for a certain number of players, so I'd cycle through all of them to weed out the ones that won't work properly...

 

[MrBond]

Get rid of that celeron! Celeron's just aren't able to handle server apps like that. You should be able to find a decent p3 450 for cheap.

 

[vash]

Telling us the net connection is the biggest key here, much more than system specs. Your Celeron 400 *should* be enough (my friend hosts a 16 player server ona P2-300), but its the connection that counds more. His DSL is 1.1/1.1 (business class), so it can handle the 16 players without any issues, so I would check your net connection speed first.

If you have a good pipe (ie. T1), then your CPU is probably key. I would check task manager to see how hard your CPU is hit at the current player limitations and you'll know if you need a CPU if you're constantly at 100%.

vash

 

[Wik]

The CPU should be fine. The pipe size to the net is the key here.

 

[Maverick]

The pipe is a college dorm ethernet connection. I believe its hooked up to an OC3...maybe even an OC12. Bandwidth isn't really the issue. I had a friend using the same pipe (from a different dorm room) and his server had no problems handling 20 players.

I'm guessing most of it is celeron related. Thanks for the input everyone.