The 30 best computer server brands

Dell, HP and HPE lead our ranking of 30 computer server brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.

Computer Server brands, ranked

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  1. 1

    Dell

    Dell makes PowerEdge rack, tower and blade servers for businesses and data centers.

    Popularity 10.0/10

  2. 2

    HP

    HP makes ProLiant rack, tower and blade servers for businesses and data centers.

    Popularity 8.1/10

  3. 3

    HPE

    Hewlett Packard Enterprise makes ProLiant and Synergy servers for enterprise and data center use.

    Popularity 2.9/10

  4. 4

    Supermicro

    Supermicro makes rackmount, tower and blade servers and server motherboards for data centers.

    Popularity 1.8/10

  5. 5

    IBM

    IBM makes Power Systems and mainframe-class servers for enterprise workloads.

    Popularity 1.5/10

  6. 6

    Lenovo

    Lenovo makes ThinkSystem rack, tower and dense servers for business and data center customers.

    Popularity 1.4/10

  7. 7

    Fujitsu

    Fujitsu makes PRIMERGY rack, tower and blade servers for business customers.

    Popularity 1.2/10

  8. 8

    Cisco

    Cisco makes UCS rack, blade and modular servers integrated with its networking products.

    Popularity 1.2/10

  9. 9

    Intel

    Intel makes Xeon server processors and sells server boards and complete reference server systems.

    Popularity 1.0/10

  10. 10

    ORACLE

    Oracle makes SPARC servers and Exadata engineered systems for database and enterprise workloads.

    Popularity 0.4/10

  11. 11

    NetApp

    NetApp makes FAS and AFF storage systems, which are storage servers used in data centers.

    Popularity 0.3/10

  12. 12

    Compaq

    James Harris and William Murto founded Compaq in 1982 to manufacture high-quality American computers. Its main goal was to build portable computers that could use all software created only for IBM and was, in fact, the first company to succeed...

    Popularity 0.3/10

  13. 13

    Comtrol

    Comtrol makes device servers and serial-to-network hubs that connect industrial equipment to networks.

    Popularity 0.2/10

  14. 14

    QNAP

    QNAP makes NAS devices and rackmount server appliances for storage and virtualization.

    Popularity 0.2/10

  15. 15

    Digi

    Digi makes console servers, device servers and cellular routers for remote equipment management.

    Popularity 0.2/10

  16. 16

    TYAN

    TYAN makes server motherboards and complete server chassis for data centers and integrators.

    Popularity 0.2/10

  17. 17

    Synology

    Synology makes NAS servers for file storage, backup and small business use.

    Popularity 0.2/10

  18. 18

    Micron

    Micron makes server memory modules and enterprise SSDs sold for use inside servers.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  19. 19

    NEC

    NEC makes Express5800 rack, tower and blade servers for business customers.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  20. 20

    DEC

    DEC office is a family-run website that provides many companies solutions like document management and managed print services. Besides these, products like printers and shredders are also available—the printer's power and performance to high-quality printing tackle complex printing. The shredder's...

    Popularity 0.1/10

  21. 21

    Infortrend

    Infortrend makes RAID storage arrays and NAS systems used as storage servers in business settings.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  22. 22

    Advantech

    Advantech makes industrial and embedded rackmount computers and server systems.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  23. 23

    Nexsan

    Nexsan makes unified storage arrays and storage servers for business data and backup.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  24. 24

    Buffalo

    Buffalo makes NAS storage servers and network storage devices for home and small office use.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  25. 25

    Perle

    Perle makes serial and device servers that connect legacy equipment to Ethernet networks.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  26. 26

    Gateway

    Since 1997, organizations have relied on Gateway as a reliable supplier of managed services, data centers, cloud computing, and IT infrastructure solutions. They concentrate on their clients' business objectives and collaborate closely with them to support their aims. Network monitoring...

    Popularity 0.1/10

  27. 27

    ASRock

    ASRock makes server motherboards under its ASRock Rack line for servers and workstations.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  28. 28

    Silex

    Silex Technology makes device servers and print servers that network serial and USB equipment.

    Popularity 0.1/10

  29. 29

    ATI

    ATI Systems is a group that is made up of five divisions. The company helps in manufacturing and supplying essential tools to the market. ATI Systems are the leading supplier of motion and linear displacement sensors. They believe that quality...

    Popularity 0.1/10

  30. 30

    Artesyn

    Artesyn Embedded Computing makes embedded server boards, power supplies and rugged computing systems.

    Popularity 0.1/10

Computer Servers Buying Guide

Businesses require computer servers to store their data, support their digital communication needs and run their applications. A computer server is a device that provides access to resources, files, applications and services to other devices connected to it. Companies invest significant amounts of money in server technology to ensure their business operations run smoothly. However, the purchasing process can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with server technology.

What are computer servers?

A computer server is a high-performance computer system that provides connectivity and management services to other devices connected to it. They’re designed to run continuously, handle heavy workloads, perform intensive computations and store large amounts of data. Servers are available in a variety of configurations to meet specific business requirements. Some servers are designed to be powerhouses for high-performance computing, while others are built for a small business or home office.

What should you consider when buying a server?

Before you buy a server, it's important to understand your business requirements and what you need the server to do. This will help you choose the right type of server and make informed decisions during the purchasing process. Here are some factors to consider when buying a server:

Type of Server

There are several types of servers available in the market. You need to choose a server that is compatible with your business needs and fits your budget. The most common types of servers include:

  • Web servers - designed to host websites and web applications.
  • File servers - designed to store and distribute files to other devices on the network.
  • Email servers - designed to manage email services for organizations.
  • Application servers - designed to run enterprise applications.
  • Database servers - designed to store and manage databases.
  • Virtual servers - allows several servers to function on a single server.
  • Cloud servers - offer scalable resources over the network.

Scalability

If you have plans to expand your business in the future, you need to consider the server’s scalability. A server is scalable when it can upgrade its hardware components or add new components to accommodate growing business requirements. Some servers allow you to expand memory, storage and processing power, while others may require you to replace some hardware components. Consider the ability of the server to handle future growth when purchasing.

Performance

When buying a server, you need to consider the server's performance capabilities. Look at the processing speed, number of cores, memory capacity, storage and network bandwidth. A server with a high-performance capacity can handle heavy workloads and provide the necessary resources to other connected devices.

Hardware Support and Compatibility

Check the hardware compatibility of the server to ensure it can support the operating system, applications and drivers required by your business needs. A server’s hardware should have the necessary drivers that are compatible with the applications you intend to run. Additionally, check for firmware updates and compatibility with the operating systems you intend to use. Some servers come with additional software that can help with managing deploying applications, managing backups and other tasks.

Operating System Support

The operating system you choose should be compatible with the applications you intend to run and the hardware components of the server. Some servers support multiple operating systems, while others only support a specific operating system. Look at the options available and choose the one that fits your requirements.

Budget

When buying a server, it's important to consider your budget. Servers can be expensive, but the cost will depend on the capabilities and features of the server. Consider what is feasible within your budget and make sure to get quotes from multiple vendors so that you are getting a good deal.

Types of Server Hardware

When shopping for a server, you need to choose a hardware configuration that meets your business requirements. Here are some of the hardware components that you should keep in mind when purchasing:

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the 'brain' of the server, responsible for processing data and executing commands. Look for a server with a CPU that offers high performance, high-speed operation, and multiple cores. A CPU with multiple cores can handle more tasks simultaneously, providing better performance.

Memory (RAM)

The memory of a server is responsible for storing temporary data required for processing applications. Look for a server with faster and larger memory, as this will improve the performance and responsiveness of the server.

Storage

The storage of a server is responsible for storing and accessing data. Today, most servers use SSD or HDD storage. However, for faster access consider looking at servers that have solid-state drives (SSD) instead of traditional hard disk drives (HDD). Having massive storage will help you keep all your data and provide ample space for growing your data, but consider cheaper options such as HDDs or Network-attached storage (NAS) for less important files.

Network Interfaces

The network interface of a server enables it to connect to network devices, share files and perform network-related tasks. Servers can be configured with multiple network interface cards (NICs) to handle increased traffic or to have redundancy. Look for a server with at least two or more NICs as this can provide additional capacity and a failover backup in case one NIC fails.

Types of Server Software

When buying a server, it's important to consider the software required to run the server. Here are some of the software components that you should consider:

Operating System (OS)

The server operating system is the foundation upon which other applications and software run. Windows, Linux and macOS are some popular operating systems for servers. Choose a server OS that is compatible with your hardware and software platforms. Look for an operating system that is reliable and secure and that offers long-term support.

Virtualization Software

Virtualization software allows a server to run multiple operating systems, applications and services simultaneously. Virtualization software can help reduce hardware costs and administration efforts by providing a cost-effective way to run multiple servers on a single physical server. Popular options include VMware and Hyper-V.

Server Management Software

Server management software allows for the centralized management of servers, applications and services. Management software is beneficial when managing multiple servers or when running complex applications such as a database server. Look for management software that can remotely monitor, manage and configure the server.

Conclusion

Buying a server can be challenging, but if you consider your business needs and requirements, you can make an informed choice about the server you need. It’s important to choose the right type of hardware and software, consider scalability, budget, and compatibility requirements. Proper research and consideration of your business needs can help in the decision-making process when buying a server.