Configuring a new webserver, budget $2500

[guimaraes]

I'm trying to configure a new 1U webserver. This webserver will have a VB forum installed with an url-rewrite SEO mod. and approx. 300 online users whole day long. The forum has 25.000 active users.
My budget is around $2300 to $2500. We expect our forum to grow with 500 to 1000 users each month.

I've been reading some articles about servers and their specs, but most articles are kinda out-dated. I hope u guys have some suggestions. I was thinking about a dual xeon 3.0 configuration, but after reading some articles i have my doubts if dual xeon is good enough for a MySQL database driven forum and website with quite a lot of users.

 

[K8MAN]

I would look into getting an X2 4400+ with 4gig's of RAM. And the fastest hdd's u can afford. 4x74gig raptors in RAID perhaps?

 

[endyen]

It seems to me, that I remember the opterons doing very well under MySQL. With the arrival of dual core opterons, I dont see that changing for a while. Tyan makes some very nice boards for the opterons.

 

[K8MAN]

I dont pay much attention to Dual 940 core opteron prices but i dont think he could get 2x dual core 2xx series within his budget can he? 2 Cpu's would probably be enough for a server like that.

 

[K8MAN]

And i imagine it would be I/O limited right from the start so it would be better to have 4x raptors or something with the saved money.