This question is related to the thread: http://archives.postgresql.org/pgsql-performance/2006-08/msg00152.php but I had some questions. I am looking at setting up two general-purpose database servers, replicated with Slony. Each server I'm looking at has the following specs: Dell PowerEdge 2950 - 2 x Dual Core Intel® Xeon® 5130, 4MB Cache, 2.00GHz, 1333MHZ FSB - 4GB RAM - PERC 5/i, x6 Backplane, Integrated Controller Card (256MB battery- backed cache) - 6 x 73GB, SAS, 3.5-inch, 15K RPM Hard Drive arranged in RAID 10 These servers are reasonably priced and so they seem like a good choice for the overall price, and the above thread indicated good performance. However, I want to make sure that putting WAL in with PGDATA on the RAID-10 is wise. And if there are any other suggestions that would be great. Is the RAID controller good? Are the processors good for database work or are Opterons significantly better? I may go for more storage as well (i.e. getting 300GB disks), but I am still determining the potential need for storage. I can get more RAM at a later date if necessary also. Regards, Jeff Davis
