PCSP News: Server & IT Hardware Insights - Page 2

RAID Controllers in 2026: PERC, Smart Array, HBA vs RAID

Posted by Konstantin Protasov, PCSP on Sep 22nd 2026

Two Dell cards, one chip. The PERC H330 and the HBA330 are both LSI SAS3008, and Dell prints a queue depth for each in its own user guide: 895 for the PERC, 9,548 for the HBA. Same silicon, different firmware, a 10.7× gap — and those two numbers settle the most repe … read more

Refurbished 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch: Real 2026 Costs

Posted by Konstantin Protasov, PCSP on Sep 22nd 2026

A 10 Gb port is not the expensive part of a 10 Gb network. On our own shelf, priced as of September 20, 2026, a 48-port gigabit switch with six 10 Gb SFP+ uplinks is $149.99 with 204 in stock, and six optics to light those uplinks are $6.31 each, $37.86 the … read more

Lenovo ThinkStations Explained: P510, P520, P620, P920

Posted by Konstantin Protasov, PCSP on Sep 14th 2026

Lenovo published a BIOS for the ThinkStation P620 on September 10, 2026, four days before this article was written; one for the P520 on June 4, one for the P720 and P920 on May 26. Those are 2017 and 2018 machines, and every one of those dates is newer than the n … read more

SFP+ Transceivers and Server Network Cards in 2026

Posted by Konstantin Protasov, PCSP on Sep 14th 2026

An SFP+ cage is one hole, and at least four incompatible things fit in it. The cheapest modules on the internet — the $2 ones, sold fifty to a lot — are overwhelmingly 8 Gb Fibre Channel, and nobody says so. On our own shelf, priced as of September 18, 202 … read more

Server Power Supply Guide 2026: 2000W Makes 1000W on 120V

Posted by Konstantin Protasov, PCSP on Sep 14th 2026

The number stamped on a server power supply is not a property of the supply. It is a promise about the wall it is plugged into. Dell publishes the arithmetic by part number: in Dell KB 000198364 of January 30, 2025, a 2000 W supply delivers 1,000 W on a 90&n … read more

HP Z Workstations Explained: Z420 to Z8 G4, Specs & PSUs

Posted by Konstantin Protasov, PCSP on Sep 14th 2026

A 525 W HP Z440 and a 700 W HP Z440 are the same computer with two different ceilings on what can go in the graphics slot. HP prints both in its Z440/Z640/Z840 Maintenance and Service Guide (c04823811): “Up to 225 W graphics or compute card in the … read more

Section 179 in 2026: Deduct Refurbished Servers by Dec 31

Posted by Konstantin Protasov, PCSP on Sep 5th 2026

For a calendar-year business, the 2026 tax numbers are already on paper. Under Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (October 9, 2025), the Section 179 expensing cap for tax years beginning in 2026 is $2,560,000, phasing out once the Section 179 property placed in service during th … read more

Windows 10 ESU Year 2 Starts Oct 14: Pay Double or Replace the PC

Posted by Konstantin Protasov, PCSP on Sep 5th 2026

On October 13, 2026 — the October Patch Tuesday — the first year of Windows 10 Extended Security Updates ends; on October 14, Year 2 begins and the price steps up with it. Microsoft's ESU program page (dated November 17, 2025) sets the comme … read more

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