Sun Fire X4450: Challenging the HP and IBM bastion

TCO comparison: Sun X4450 versus the competition

We started our TCO comparison by determining the price of the following configuration:

• Four Xeon MP 7340 (quad-core, 2.4GHz, 2x 4MB L2)
  
• 32GB (8x 4GB) of 667MHz FBDIMM
  
• Two 2.5" 73GB 10,000 RPM SAS hard disks
  
• A simple RAID controller that allows those hard disks to run in RAID-1
  
• At least four Gigabit NICs
  
• A 1+1 redundant PSU configuration
  
• All the necessary cable arms and rack mount kits to get the server in the rack
  
• A simple hardware only support warranty

We start as an SMB (Small or Medium Business) buying a server via the Internet. While Sun's, Dell's, and HP's sites were very helpful and give us full control on what kind of configuration we would like to order, IBM's site is hard to use. You do not get any overview of the configuration you will buy, which makes it impossible for us to add IBM to the comparison. Sure, we could a call an IBM representative, but as a typical SMB we quickly just gave up: our time is precious and the last thing we want to do is to go through long conversations on the phone.

Sun ended up as the most costly server, but they give SMBs the opportunity to try out the server for 60 days and then deduct 25% off the initial price. That is a very good offering that makes Sun competitive with Dell, who also gives an $1800 discount. In the case of Sun, there is a snake under the grass: you only get 25% off on a set configuration. From the "Try and Buy" FAQ:

"Q: May I customize the trial configurations offered?

A: No. In order to offer such a wide variety of free trial systems to such a wide audience on a global basis, we need to have set configurations. If you are interested in a free trial for products or configurations not available through this program, please see your local Sun sales representative or Authorized Sun Partner.

Let's now make the TCO calculation for 3 years, which consists of TCA and Facilities: power consumption, cooling and rack space. We calculate the power and rack space for one server, and we assume that you can use 40U of a rack for your servers.

Assumptions

• We assume a $550 collocation cost / rack space cost per month and per rack.
  
• In case of collocation, electricity costs are generally calculated relative to the number of Amperes that you need, but there are so many formulas. The compromise is that we calculate the real electricity costs as if the datacenter would charge the electricity costs directly. All the "based on the number of Ampere or KWh" formulas follow the same philosophy: the more power, the more you pay.
  
• Cooling costs are assumed to be 50% of the power consumption.
  
• We assume that the power consumption of the Dell will be roughly equal to the Intel S7000FC4UR measured in our lab. Considering how similar the servers are, the chances are good that this accurate enough for this estimate.
  
• The 0.15 cent per KWh is an estimate for an average of 3 years. The server runs at 85% for 8 hours, than idles for 16 hours.
  
• We assume that HP's power consumption is a bit higher than Sun's, based on the 1200W PSU specifications and higher "fan power".
  
• We ignore network bandwidth costs, which should be equal for all servers.

After all these assumptions, we must follow up with a disclaimer: the following calculation is a best effort estimate. If we made a large logical error, let us know. We welcome all constructive criticism as this is our first attempt at a TCO calculation for a server.

* if Dell R900 power consumption would equal to our measurements on the Intel S7000FC4UR.

** Based on HP's calculator, probably slightly too high

*** We only deducted 25% on the "try and buy" configuration that was available in the US. For example, 16 GB of RAM had to be added later, so that part of the RAM was calculated with the full price.

So based on our "not accurate, but probably close enough" TCO numbers, Sun manages to save per server:

• Probably about $2000 on Dell, while giving same day support (Dell provides next business day)
  
• More than $5000 on HP

Those are pretty impressive numbers if you ask us. A more detailed analyses would probably further improve the situation for Sun as several details make the X4450 easier to maintain (separate cover for replacing fans, fans all situated in the same place, almost cable-less).