What is the function of a game server?

So, the game server? Think of it as the brain of the whole operation. It’s not just hosting the game; it’s the central processing unit for all the action. Everything crucial happens there – player positions, inventory, health, even the physics engine itself, depending on the game. It’s constantly calculating, updating, and managing every aspect of the game world and all the players within it in real-time. The client, what you see on your screen, sends input like your movements to the server. The server validates that, applies it to the game state, then sends back the updated game world to *all* clients. This ensures everyone experiences the same game, preventing cheating and maintaining fairness. It also handles things like matchmaking, leaderboards, and often, crucial anti-cheat measures. Essentially, without the game server, you wouldn’t have a multiplayer game – just a bunch of isolated single-player experiences.

The complexity varies wildly based on the game. A simple game might have a single server handling everything, while massive MMOs can use thousands of servers working together, each responsible for specific aspects of the game or geographical regions. Think about it: that’s a huge amount of data being processed every second to give you that seamless multiplayer experience.

Server architecture itself is a whole other beast. You have dedicated servers, cloud-based solutions, peer-to-peer networks… the choice impacts performance, scalability, and cost drastically. Developers constantly weigh these factors to find the optimal setup for their particular game.

How do cloud gaming servers work?

Cloud gaming? It’s sick! Think of it like this: a super-powered gaming rig – way beyond what your home setup could handle – is doing all the heavy lifting in a massive data center. It’s rendering the game at crazy-high settings, delivering buttery-smooth 4K visuals and insane frame rates.

Your controller inputs are instantly transmitted to that remote beast, and it spits out the rendered frames as a super-compressed video stream straight to your device. Latency is key here – that’s the delay between you pressing a button and seeing the action on screen. The lower the latency, the more responsive and competitive you are. Top-tier cloud gaming services are constantly battling to minimize that lag, deploying crazy-fast networks and super-optimized compression techniques.

Think of the possibilities: You’re playing a graphically demanding game like Cyberpunk 2077 on your phone, with flawless performance. Or you can stream AAA titles to an old laptop, transforming it into a beastly gaming machine. It’s a game-changer for accessibility, letting anyone experience the latest titles regardless of their hardware budget.

But here’s the catch: You’re entirely reliant on a stable internet connection. Lag can ruin your K/D, especially in competitive esports. High bandwidth is essential, as is low latency. Data caps can also be a killer; streaming games gobbles up data.

The future is bright though! As 5G and beyond roll out, latency drops further, pushing cloud gaming ever closer to the experience of playing on a local machine. Imagine global esports tournaments run entirely on cloud gaming – the possibilities are mind-blowing!

How does renting a game server work?

So you wanna know about renting game servers? It’s basically like leasing a powerful computer, but instead of it sitting under your desk, it lives in a massive data center – think a warehouse full of servers. You pay a monthly or yearly fee, and the company hosting it handles all the boring stuff: keeping the hardware running, making sure it’s protected, and generally keeping it online and stable.

Two main types:

Bare metal servers: You get the whole server – all the resources are yours. Think of it like having your own dedicated gaming PC, but way more powerful. Great for total control and performance, but it’s also more expensive.
Virtual servers (VPS): You share a physical server with other users, but your resources are isolated. Cheaper than bare metal, perfect if you don’t need maximum performance or total control. Think of it like sharing a powerful PC, but with your own dedicated space.

What you get with renting:

Consistent uptime: These data centers have redundant power and internet connections, minimizing downtime. Way more reliable than your home internet.
Scalability: Need more players? You can usually upgrade your server specs on the fly, adding more power as your game grows.
Security: Hosting providers usually have robust security measures in place, protecting your server from attacks and unauthorized access. Way better than trying to secure your own PC against DDoS attacks, let me tell you from experience.
Control Panel: Most providers offer easy-to-use control panels for managing your server, installing mods, and configuring settings. No more wrestling with command lines unless you’re into that sort of thing.

Things to consider: Bandwidth (how much data can be transferred), RAM (memory for smoother gameplay), CPU (processing power for handling players), and storage (space for game files and databases). Don’t skimp on these or you’ll end up with laggy, unstable gameplay, and that’s a major stream killer.

Pro-tip: Start small and scale up as needed. You don’t want to pay for more resources than you need, especially when starting out.

How does an online server work?

Think of a web server as a heavily fortified castle, constantly under siege by millions of requests. It’s a combination of powerful hardware – the castle walls and towers – and sophisticated software – the skilled archers and engineers within. This fortress uses protocols like HTTP, the language of the siege, to understand and respond to incoming requests from clients (your browser, the attacking army).

Its primary function? Delivering the spoils of war – website content. This isn’t just pretty pictures; it’s a complex ecosystem of text, images, videos, and applications. The server stores this data, processes requests efficiently (deflecting attacks, prioritizing crucial sieges), and delivers it lightning-fast to the client. The more efficient this processing is, the faster the page loads, and the less likely the ‘siege’ will result in a timeout (or a crash). We’re talking optimized caching strategies, load balancing across multiple servers (multiple castles working together), and robust security measures to prevent DDoS attacks (mass sieges). A slow, poorly secured server is a castle ripe for the taking.

Key aspects of a high-performing server:

Scalability: The ability to handle a massively increasing number of concurrent requests without performance degradation. Think expanding the castle walls to withstand larger armies.

Security: Robust defenses against attacks, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and secure coding practices. Imagine impenetrable castle walls and highly skilled guards.

Reliability: Minimizing downtime and ensuring consistent performance. This means multiple backups and failsafe systems. A server never falls, no matter what.

Performance: Fast processing and delivery of content. Think of the most efficient archers, delivering a rapid-fire volley of data.

Mastering a web server is a constant battle against latency, security breaches, and scaling challenges. It requires constant vigilance and adaptation, much like a veteran PvP player.

How does a server work for dummies?

Think of a server as the ultimate support player in the esports arena. It’s a powerful computer, the backbone of the whole operation, constantly communicating with other computers – the “clients,” or individual players and their rigs.

When a client – like your gaming PC – requests something, whether it’s a game update, a high-resolution texture pack, or even just access to the game server itself, the server acts like a super-efficient coach, instantly providing the needed resource. This constant data exchange, this lightning-fast response time, is critical for a smooth, lag-free gaming experience – imagine the chaos if your server was constantly dropping packets!

Different servers specialize in different tasks: Some are dedicated game servers, managing player interactions and game logic in real-time, like a referee ensuring fair play. Others are web servers, delivering websites and game launchers – the team’s manager, handling logistics and ensuring everyone gets to the right place. Then there are database servers, storing all that crucial player data – the team’s statisticians, keeping track of every kill, every win, every loss.

Latency, or ping, is the enemy: The faster the server responds, the lower your ping, resulting in a more responsive and enjoyable gaming experience. That’s why professional esports teams invest heavily in high-performance servers – they need that competitive edge, that split-second advantage provided by ultra-low latency.

Server capacity is key: A server’s capacity determines how many concurrent players or requests it can handle. A poorly configured server will overload and crash under intense demand, like a stadium collapsing under the weight of enthusiastic fans.

What is needed to run a game server?

Yo, what’s up gamers! So you wanna host your own game server? Let’s break down the essentials. First off, you’ll need a beefy rig. Operating System: Think 64-bit Windows or Linux – it all depends on what game you’re running. Linux is generally preferred for stability and performance, especially on dedicated servers.

Next, the CPU. Forget anything less than a quad-core processor; aim for at least 2.5 GHz. More cores and higher clock speeds translate directly to smoother gameplay, especially with lots of players. Don’t skimp here – it’s the engine of your server.

Then there’s RAM. 8GB is the bare minimum, but 16GB is a much more comfortable sweet spot, and even more is ideal for bigger games or more players. Think of it as the server’s short-term memory – the more it has, the faster it can react.

Beyond that, you’ll also need sufficient storage (an SSD is highly recommended for speed!), a stable internet connection with high upload speed (crucial for low latency), and a dedicated IP address (to avoid port forwarding headaches). And finally, you’ll need the game server software itself – usually obtained directly from the game developers or through a third-party provider. This often involves a one-time purchase or a subscription.

Pro-tip: Consider server hosting services like AWS, Google Cloud, or dedicated server providers. They handle all the infrastructural headaches for you, often providing better uptime and security than setting it up yourself. They’re usually more expensive upfront but can save time and effort on management in the long run. Happy gaming!

How do online game servers work?

Think of online game servers as the unseen referees of the digital world. They’re powerful computers, often clusters of them, constantly crunching numbers. They don’t just track your position; they’re the ultimate authority on everything happening in the game.

The Core Function: The server receives updates from every player – where they are, what actions they’re taking (shooting, jumping, casting spells, etc.). It then validates these actions against the game’s rules. This ensures no one cheats by teleporting, hitting through walls, or otherwise breaking the game’s logic. Imagine a highly complex spreadsheet constantly updating and enforcing the game’s internal consistency.

Different Server Architectures: There isn’t just one type. You’ve got dedicated servers (best performance, often run by the game developer or a dedicated hosting service), peer-to-peer (where players host portions of the game, prone to lag and cheating), and hybrid models combining the best of both. Each affects the feel and responsiveness of the game.

Dedicated Servers: Offer the most stable and reliable experience, minimizing lag and cheating. This is the gold standard for competitive games.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P): Less stable, reliant on players’ internet connections. Often found in smaller, less demanding games. Cheating is more likely.
Hybrid: A mix of dedicated and peer-to-peer to balance performance and resource needs. Can be complex to manage.

Beyond Position and Movement: The server does much more than just track location. It handles:

Game Logic: Determining the outcome of actions (damage calculations, skill effects). Think of it as a judge in a fight, making sure all the rules are applied fairly.
Persistence: Saving game progress, player stats, and world state (inventory, quest progress, etc.). It’s like the game’s memory.
Anti-cheat Measures: These systems actively scan for and address attempts to exploit the game, keeping it fair for everyone. This is an ongoing arms race against cheaters.
Networking: Managing the constant flow of data between the server and individual players. This is crucial for a smooth gaming experience.

Latency (Ping): The delay between your actions and the server’s response is called latency. High latency (high ping) leads to lag, making the game unresponsive and frustrating. This is usually due to distance to the server, network congestion, or your own internet connection.

What do servers actually do?

So, you wanna know what servers actually *do*? Think of them as the ultimate digital Swiss Army knives. They’re beefed-up computers, way more powerful than your gaming rig, built to handle massive amounts of data and requests simultaneously. They don’t just *store* data – they actively manage it, ensuring everything runs smoothly. We’re talking databases, files, applications – the whole shebang. They orchestrate the entire network, acting as central hubs connecting all sorts of devices and systems. Want to check your email? A server’s handling that. Browsing your favorite website? Yep, a server’s serving up those web pages. Streaming your favorite show? You guessed it, servers are working overtime.

Now, the cool part is the *variety*. You’ve got web servers, database servers, mail servers, game servers – each specialized to handle a specific type of task. Some are massive clusters of machines working together, handling billions of requests a day for huge companies like Google or Amazon. Others are smaller, more focused setups for individual businesses or even individual gamers hosting their own servers. The key is that they’re all designed for reliability and high performance, running 24/7, often in climate-controlled data centers to keep them humming. They’re the silent workhorses of the internet, and without them, well, the internet would just…stop.

And it’s not just about serving up websites. Servers power everything from online banking and shopping to cloud storage and even self-driving cars. They’re the backbone of modern life, quietly powering the digital world we all depend on. It’s far more complex than just storing files; it’s about managing access, security, and the overall efficiency of the whole system. Think of it as a massive, highly organized library, but instead of books, it’s information and applications, and instead of librarians, it’s sophisticated software and hardware.

What is the best hardware for a game server?

Forget that newbie advice. A quad-core and 16GB RAM? That’s for casuals. For a truly dominant PvP server, you need serious horsepower. We’re talking enterprise-grade hardware, not some budget build.

CPU: Absolutely nothing less than a high-core-count Ryzen Threadripper or Intel Xeon. Think 32 cores, 64 threads minimum. High clock speed is secondary to core count in a PvP environment; you need the raw processing power to handle simultaneous player actions and complex calculations.

RAM: 128GB minimum. PvP is RAM-intensive. More players, more lag. More RAM mitigates this. Consider 256GB if you’re anticipating a large player base or complex game mechanics.

Storage: NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSDs in RAID configuration are non-negotiable. Speed is king. Latency directly impacts response time, and in PvP, milliseconds matter. Don’t even think about spinning disks.

Network: This is often overlooked but crucial. A dedicated 1Gbps (or faster) connection with low latency is essential. Consider a managed hosting solution for optimal network performance and uptime. You’ll also want to optimize your server’s network settings to minimize packet loss and jitter.

Other Considerations:

Cooling: High-end components generate significant heat. Invest in a robust cooling solution.
Redundancy: Consider RAID for your storage and power supplies to prevent downtime.
Server Operating System: Choose a server OS optimized for performance, such as Windows Server or a Linux distribution tailored for gaming servers.

Software Optimization: The hardware is only half the battle. Optimize your game server software, tweak settings, and regularly monitor performance. This includes things like proper world partitioning and efficient code.

Budget: Expect to invest significantly more than a “beginner” setup. Dominance in PvP doesn’t come cheap.

What is the best hardware for a gaming server?

Level up your game server with the ultimate setup! A quad-core CPU provides the muscle for smooth gameplay, handling multiple players and complex game mechanics without lag. 16GB of RAM is crucial; it’s your server’s short-term memory, ensuring everything runs swiftly. Don’t bottleneck your performance with a slow hard drive! An SSD (Solid State Drive) is essential for lightning-fast load times and reduced latency, resulting in a superior player experience. This sweet spot offers amazing performance for a wide variety of games, ensuring a smooth and lag-free experience for all your players. Consider upgrading your CPU and RAM for more demanding games or a larger player base. For instance, a powerful 8-core CPU and 32GB RAM provides excellent headroom for heavier games and more concurrent players. The type of SSD also matters; NVMe drives offer the fastest speeds, but SATA SSDs are a great cost-effective alternative. Planning for future expansion will keep your server running smoothly for years to come.

How long do game servers last?

Yo, what’s up everyone? So you’re wondering about game server lifespans? It’s way longer than you probably think. People usually guess 3-5 years, thinking the manufacturer calls it quits then. That’s totally wrong. Industry reports actually show a 7-10 year lifespan is pretty standard.

Think about it – it’s not just the hardware. The real killer is usually *software* obsolescence. Keeping those servers patched and updated with the latest security fixes and game engine versions is a huge undertaking. Eventually, the cost of maintenance – both manpower and potential downtime – can outweigh keeping older hardware running. Also, newer hardware often boasts significant performance boosts, allowing for more players, better graphics, and smoother gameplay – all factors that can make upgrading worthwhile.

It’s not a simple “3-year-old server = scrap heap” scenario. Lots of factors influence the decision. Things like the initial server specs, the game’s popularity (more players mean more strain), and the developer’s budget are all huge considerations. So, yeah, those servers are durable, but keeping them running is a continuous battle against time, technology, and the rising tide of increasingly demanding games.

Why do game developers shut down servers?

Server shutdowns are a complex issue stemming from the unsustainable economics of long-term online game operation. The core reason is simple: diminishing returns. Initial server costs are substantial, encompassing hardware acquisition, dedicated bandwidth, and robust security infrastructure. These are ongoing expenses, amplified by the need for regular maintenance, software updates, and proactive security patching.

As a game ages, its player base naturally declines. This leads to a critical point where the cost of maintaining the servers significantly outweighs the revenue generated by the dwindling player population. This isn’t simply a matter of electricity bills; it involves:

Development team costs: Even with a reduced player base, some level of ongoing maintenance and support is often still required, incurring developer salaries and time.
Security vulnerabilities: Older games may become increasingly susceptible to exploits, necessitating continuous security audits and updates, further escalating costs.
Licensing fees: Many online games rely on third-party technologies and licenses, which require recurring payments.
Infrastructure upgrades: Maintaining an aging infrastructure can require costly upgrades to remain compatible with modern security standards and network technologies.

Game developers must therefore perform a cost-benefit analysis. Keeping servers running for a small, shrinking player base becomes financially unviable. A shutdown, while disappointing to the remaining players, often represents a rational business decision designed to prevent further financial losses.

Further complicating the decision are factors like:

Legal and contractual obligations: Pre-existing agreements with service providers may complicate server decommissioning timelines.
Community sentiment: The developer must navigate the emotional reaction of loyal players, carefully communicating the reasons behind the shutdown to mitigate negative backlash.

What 3 things does a server do?

That’s a simplistic description focusing solely on front-of-house server duties. A more comprehensive understanding of “what a server does” requires considering three broader categories of responsibility, each encompassing multiple tasks:

1. Guest Service and Order Fulfillment: This goes beyond simply delivering food. It includes proactive guest interaction (anticipating needs, offering suggestions, handling complaints effectively), accurate order taking and communication with the kitchen, ensuring timely delivery and addressing any service issues swiftly and professionally. Effective communication skills, active listening, and problem-solving abilities are crucial. Understanding menu items thoroughly, including ingredients and potential allergens, is paramount.

2. Operational Efficiency and Teamwork: Servers are integral to the smooth functioning of the restaurant. This includes managing tables effectively (bussing, resetting), maintaining cleanliness in their assigned area, collaborating with support staff (bussers, bartenders), following established procedures for payment processing, and adhering to health and safety regulations. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and teamwork are essential here. Understanding POS systems and inventory management can significantly impact efficiency.

3. Financial Management and Compliance: While not always explicitly stated, servers are directly involved in financial transactions. Accurate handling of cash, credit cards, and splitting bills is vital. Understanding sales tax regulations, tip reporting procedures, and maintaining accurate records are essential for compliance. Strong numeracy skills and a commitment to honesty are non-negotiable.

Do I need a GPU to host a game server?

Whether you need a GPU for a game server depends entirely on the game and its demands. For many games, especially those focusing on logic and calculations rather than complex graphics rendering, a GPU is unnecessary overhead. Think Minecraft or text-based MUDs – CPU power is king here.

However, things change drastically with graphically intensive games. Consider these factors:

Game Engine: Some engines, like Unreal Engine 5, are increasingly reliant on GPU acceleration even on the server-side for things like physics calculations, world simulation, or advanced AI.
Game Features: Features like realistic destruction physics, large-scale battles with many simultaneously rendered units, or advanced lighting and shadowing effects require significant GPU horsepower on the server to maintain acceptable performance and reduce latency.
Player Count: High player counts exponentially increase the computational load, necessitating more powerful hardware, including GPUs, to handle the increased processing requirements.

Cost-Benefit Analysis is Crucial: A high-end GPU is a significant investment. Before purchasing, meticulously analyze:

Game requirements: Carefully review the game’s documentation or contact the developers for server specifications. Some games explicitly state GPU needs, while others offer performance benchmarks based on different hardware configurations.
Performance impact: Benchmarking your chosen game with and without a GPU on a test server will provide quantifiable data on the return on investment (ROI) of the GPU.
Alternative solutions: Explore cloud-based solutions offering scalable GPU resources. This can offer flexibility and cost savings by only utilizing GPU power when needed.

In short: A GPU is not always necessary, but for certain games and server configurations, it can be a game-changer in terms of performance, scalability, and overall player experience. Thorough research and testing are paramount to making the right decision.

What is the best CPU to use for a gaming server?

For a gaming server, forget Ryzen – you’re aiming for peak performance, and that means Xeon. While a Ryzen CPU might handle casual gaming, serious esports setups demand the raw power and consistent clock speeds a Xeon delivers. Think about it: lower latency translates directly to a smoother, more responsive gaming experience for everyone connected. No one wants lag spikes during a crucial clutch moment.

Here’s why Xeon reigns supreme for demanding gaming servers:

Superior Core Counts & Threading: Xeons boast higher core counts and threads, allowing for effortless handling of multiple players and game processes simultaneously. More cores mean less bottleneck, resulting in dramatically improved FPS and reduced server load.
ECC Memory Support: Error-Correcting Code memory is critical for server stability. ECC RAM prevents data corruption and crashes, ensuring uninterrupted gameplay, crucial for competitive esports environments.
Advanced Features: Xeons often include advanced features like virtualization support. This lets you run multiple game servers or other applications concurrently on a single physical server, maximizing hardware utilization and reducing costs.

Consider these Xeon features for optimal gaming server performance:

High Clock Speed: Prioritize models with high base and boost clock speeds for maximum single-thread performance – essential for smooth gameplay.
Large Cache Size: A larger cache improves data access speed, minimizing latency and improving overall responsiveness.
Plenty of PCIe Lanes: More PCIe lanes support more network cards and storage devices, critical for high-bandwidth needs and rapid data transfer.

Ultimately, investing in a powerful Xeon CPU for your gaming server is an investment in a stable, high-performance platform that will keep your players engaged and competitive.

What does a server do for dummies?

Servers are the backbone of online gaming, far exceeding simple resource sharing. They’re specialized computers hosting game worlds, matchmaking services, leaderboards, and anti-cheat systems. Think of a massively multiplayer online game (MMO): the server manages every player’s position, inventory, interactions with other players and the game environment itself – all in real-time with minimal latency for a smooth experience. This requires immense processing power, sophisticated algorithms for handling player data and preventing cheating, and robust network infrastructure capable of managing thousands of simultaneous connections.

Beyond the game world itself, dedicated servers handle aspects like voice chat, ensuring players can communicate clearly. They also manage player accounts, storing game progress, statistics, and in-game purchases. Game developers frequently use multiple servers for different functions, distributing the load and ensuring stability even under intense player activity, such as during a major tournament or game launch.

The performance of these servers directly impacts the gameplay experience. Lag, connection issues, and server crashes are all attributable to server limitations or failures. High-performance servers, optimized for low latency and high throughput, are crucial for competitive gaming, where even minor delays can significantly affect the outcome of a match.

Server infrastructure and its management are critical elements in the success of any online game, representing a significant investment for developers and a key differentiator in the competitive gaming market.

How much money do servers make a week?

Server weekly earnings exhibit significant geographic disparity, with top-tier cities offering substantially higher compensation. The data reveals a clear correlation between location and income, suggesting a strong influence of cost of living and market demand.

Top 10 Highest Paying Cities (Illustrative Sample):

San Francisco, CA: $917/week. This high figure reflects the city’s robust economy and high cost of living, demanding competitive wages to attract and retain talent. High tourist volume and a significant concentration of high-end dining establishments contribute to increased tips.
Santa Clara, CA: $914/week. Proximity to Silicon Valley and a dense population of high-income individuals likely drive up average earnings.
Sunnyvale, CA: $914/week. Similar to Santa Clara, location within the tech-heavy Silicon Valley region explains the elevated compensation.
San Jose, CA: $912/week. Another major city in Silicon Valley, showcasing the region’s influence on server income.

Further Analysis Required: This data represents a limited sample. A complete analysis requires consideration of additional factors such as:

Establishment type: Fine dining restaurants typically pay higher wages and offer better tip potential compared to casual eateries.
Experience level: Experienced servers often command higher wages and attract more generous tips.
Hours worked: Weekly earnings are directly proportional to the number of hours worked. Part-time versus full-time employment significantly impacts weekly income.
Tip distribution policies: Some establishments pool tips, leading to a more uniform distribution among staff, potentially impacting individual weekly earnings.

Data Caveat: Annual salary figures used to derive weekly pay may represent averages and could mask considerable variation within each city’s server population. Further research is needed for a robust understanding of server compensation trends.

How many CPU cores do I need for a server?

The short answer? For serious server workloads, think 16 cores or more. That’s not just marketing hype; it’s about maximizing throughput and minimizing latency.

Here’s why a high core count is crucial:

Concurrency: Modern servers handle multiple tasks concurrently. Each core can tackle a separate task, dramatically improving responsiveness. Think web requests, database queries, background processes – all happening simultaneously without bottlenecking.
Virtualization: If you’re running virtual machines (VMs), each VM often needs its own dedicated resources. More cores mean you can run more VMs efficiently without performance degradation.
Parallel Processing: Many applications, especially data-intensive ones, are designed for parallel processing. More cores translate directly into faster processing times for these applications. Imagine rendering a 3D model or processing a huge dataset – the benefits are immense.

However, it’s not just about raw core count. Consider these factors:

Clock Speed: While high core count is important, don’t neglect clock speed (GHz). A balance between core count and clock speed is ideal.
Cache Size: Larger cache sizes mean faster access to frequently used data, improving performance. Look for CPUs with generous L3 cache.
RAM and Storage: A powerful CPU is useless without sufficient RAM and fast storage (NVMe SSDs are highly recommended). These are all interconnected components – a bottleneck in one area will negate the advantages of others.
Specific Workload: The optimal core count depends heavily on the server’s intended workload. A simple web server might be fine with fewer cores than a complex database server or a high-performance computing cluster.

Ultimately, proper server planning involves analyzing your specific needs. But for many demanding applications, 16+ cores should be your starting point for serious performance.