3 TB bandwidth: computers needed?

[paulmaas]

I am trying to create a vortal (with a search engine, message boards, free Web space etc.).

I was adviced to start with one database server (contains all Urls/descriptions for our Web search engine) and a Web server (free Web space, message boards etc.). I expect to need about 3 TB of bandwidth in a year from now.

With 3 TB bandwidth I was told I would need the following computers:

- 3 Web servers dual PIII 750 with 512-1024 RAM each
- 4 database servers, dual or quad PIII 2048 RAM
- load balancing switches

Others told me that one database server and two dual PIII 850 Web servers would be enough.

I know it is just a rough estimate (a lot depends on traffic etc.), but which of the two quotes is more accurate (if any)?

Thanks