I've got a 9-year-old Dell R430 server with a 6-core, 12-thread CPU and 48GB of RAM. Right now, it's running ESXi 6.5 and Windows Server 2016 with two Domain Controllers (DCs), one Remote Desktop Services (RDS), and a SQL Server. The business owners were told that this setup could handle Windows Server 2025, and I'm struggling to understand how that's possible, especially since they're already complaining about slow performance. There are 12 users total—7 are local to the SQL database while 2 are remote and 3 are traveling internationally working remotely. I'm wondering if anyone can realistically justify running Windows Server 2025 on this old hardware. Any thoughts?
7 Answers
If they want to stick with this server, maybe consider adding more RAM and just go with Server 2022. However, that might not be enough to save the day given the age of the hardware.
Is the R430 already End of Life (EOL)? If so, they should know that support is gone. If it breaks down, they'll be left high and dry, probably wishing they called a tech necromancer instead of Dell!
Check if Dell still supports the R430, and if they support Windows Server 2025 on it. If the answer's no, I'd say it's time to move on and not waste more resources on this old setup.
Just so you know, the R430 does support DDR4. But that doesn't change the fact that it's at the end of its life cycle and likely won't handle the demands of modern workloads well.
I have a R720 running Windows Server 2025, but it was an in-place upgrade from 2022. Not sure if the R430 would even have the drivers needed for something as new as 2025.
Honestly, I'm baffled by who suggested this to the business owners. Sure, it could technically run, but I wouldn't expect great performance from a 9-year-old server like the R430. Sounds like it's just a cost-cutting move, and that rarely ends well.
It's wild that they rejected upgrading infrastructure months ago. It's like chasing after a fantasy. No matter how you slice it, they're setting themselves up for a headache.
It might handle 12 users if you cut down on the RDS usage, but honestly, the R430 is nearing its end as a virtualization server. Convincing the owners to buy a new server might be the better way to go. Then, they could use the R430 as a backup server.
Just out of curiosity, why were two DCs set up on a single server? That doesn't seem optimal.
The costs of transitioning to new software while using outdated hardware seem to outweigh the benefits, don't you think?