Server Refresh
Plan a server fleet refresh: calculate how many new servers match your current fleet performance
How to use Server Refresh
- 1Enter the count and current age of your servers, plus their annual power and support costs.
- 2Enter the price and expected efficiency of the replacement hardware.
- 3Read the payback period and 3-year total cost difference to decide whether to refresh now.
When should you refresh servers?
annualSaving = oldOpEx - newOpEx; paybackYears = (newCapEx - salvageOld) / annualSavingOlder servers draw more power and cost more to maintain, so replacing them can lower operating expenses even after the purchase cost is included.
A refresh is usually justified when the annual savings recover the new hardware cost within your acceptable payback window, often 2–3 years for dense workloads.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good payback period?
Most IT teams target 2–3 years, but it depends on workload density and power prices.
Should I include salvage value?
Yes, any resale or trade-in value of old gear reduces the effective capital cost.
Does refresh always save power?
Newer nodes are far more efficient per rack unit, but only if consolidated; sprawl can erase the gain.
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