Re: New server setup - Mailing list pgsql-performance

I can only tell you our experience with Dell from several years ago.  We bought two Dell servers similar (somewhat larger) than the model you're looking at.  We'll never buy from them again.

Advantages:  They work.  They haven't failed.

Disadvantages:

Performance sucks.  Dell costs far more than "white box" servers we buy from a "white box" supplier (ASA Computers).  ASA gives us roughly double the performance for the same price.  We can buy exactly what we want from ASA.

Dell did a disk-drive "lock in."  The RAID controller won't spin up a non-Dell disk.  They wanted roughly four times the price for their disks compared to buying the exact same disks on Amazon.  If a disk went out today, it would probably cost even more because that model is obsolete (luckily, we bought a couple spares).  I think they abandoned this policy because it caused so many complaints, but you should check before you buy. This was an incredibly stupid RAID controller design.

Dell tech support doesn't know what they're talking about when it comes to RAID controllers and serious server support.  You're better off with a white-box solution, where you can buy the exact parts recommended in this group and get technical advice from people who know what they're talking about.  Dell basically doesn't understand Postgres.

They boast excellent on-site service, but for the price of their computers and their service contract, you can buy two servers from a white-box vendor.  Our white-box servers have been just as reliable as the Dell servers -- no failures.

I'm sure someone in Europe can recommend a good vendor for you.

Craig James