Old Proliant 2500 or new P4 clone better server?

[george]

I need to set up a dedicated web server on a DSL line for a startup
business, and I have a choice of using a Compaq Proliant 2500 with a
disk array (a huge machine that was built for serving, but is
nevertheless a 200 mhz 1998 model) or an off-the-shelf mass-market 2ghz
P4 desktop PC.

If my net traffic is going to be a lot of users sending short data
packets, which machine is better for the task?

TIA for all the help
George

 

[philo]

I need to set up a dedicated web server on a DSL line for a startup
business, and I have a choice of using a Compaq Proliant 2500 with a
disk array (a huge machine that was built for serving, but is
nevertheless a 200 mhz 1998 model) or an off-the-shelf mass-market 2ghz
P4 desktop PC.

If my net traffic is going to be a lot of users sending short data
packets, which machine is better for the task?

although the Proliant may have been specifically built as a server...
it;s just not going to compare to a P4...
besides...a 1998 model means that the drives are pretty old
and may be failing soon.
i just picked up a 5 year old server and found that 2 of the 5 drives
were completely bad...and two others were failing.