[frabre]

If you're not used to buying server-grade hardware, I know it seems expensive. I think the founder initially priced it too low in an effort to make it as affordable as possible, found himself giving tons of expensive support, and decided to raise prices to the market average.

[wmf]

But Raptor machines aren't server-grade. They're desktop motherboards with crippled Power9s at higher-than-x86-server prices.

[frabre]

I don't follow: how are they not server grade? How are they crippled Power9s? What x86 server are you comparing them to?

For example, the Talos II system has dual (server) CPU sockets with up to 24 cores/96 threads per processor; 16 ECC memory slots with 2TB capacity; SAS controller; out of band management and service processor (separate serial and ethernet ports for the BMC); a server form factor; better capacitors; no onboard audio and only rudimentary graphics; and a thick/quality PCB. It's also made in America. What else were you looking for?