Is it necessary for a game server box to have a good vid card?

[sho.gun]

For a dedicated server, do they need a high end graphics card or will using onboard video slow it down for all of the players?

[hapoo]

I doubt it... its not like your playing the game on the server. If its not rendering anything, it doesn't need a good video card. But you'd still need a good processor and fast access.

[sho.gun]

Originally posted by hapoo
I doubt it... its not like your playing the game on the server. If its not rendering anything, it doesn't need a good video card. But you'd still need a good processor and fast access.

Yeah that's what I was thinking but when the box is hosting the game, isn't the game running on-screen too? I mean I don't mind if it runs slow on that one machine as long as the clients don't get affected.

[skynet]

Mostly it depends on the game. Some games will render what is on the scree, others do not. For the ones that do, be sure to put the settings way way way down low to free up the resources for the server abilities. For the other games it wont make a difference. Also, depending on the game, some games may not start unless you have a direct X X.X compatable video card, but then again, depending on the game, it may have a seperate way of starting the game for the dedicated server.

So all in all, it depends on the game, I have seen all of those scenerios.

If the game does not render anything, then you want to be sure it have a nice CPU and a good network.

[Jihforce]

what game are you trying to serve?

[sho.gun]

Originally posted by Jihforce
what game are you trying to serve?

Thanks for the input guys

Just the usual LAN party games, CS mostly. The motherboard I'm getting is a microATX and comes with onboard video, not exactly the oomph that today's games requires but I don't have the spare $$ to buy a vid card.

My plan is to eventually get the 9700pro and then swap the video card i have right now (KYROII) to the server box.

[Hiro]

CS runs a dedicated server through a window. It does not render the game as far as I am mistaken. So therefore, no high end video card needed. :)

[sho.gun]

Originally posted by Corsec
CS runs a dedicated server through a window. It does not render the game as far as I am mistaken. So therefore, no high end video card needed. :)

Yup you're right, I just tried it on my comp. Dunno why I didn't think of that before...

Thanks guys