Need help specing out a machine

[whackadoo]

I'm looking for some input from you hardware gurus.

I need to upgrade my desktop computer so that I can use it for a vmware lab to prepare for the VCP. I will be running VMware Workstation on Windows 7 64 bit. I will be creating a vsphere environment in Workstation with virtual ESX hosts and virtual test machines running on top of those hosts. Basically I need a very robust box. The main constraint is memory. I need 8GB at a bare minimum, 12 would be better and 16 or more ideal. CPU isn't as critical but the more cores the better. Intel or AMD doesn't really matter. I'm looking to get the most bang for the buck. Already have case, hard drive, and a quality 750W power supply.

Any recommendations for cpu/motherboard/memory would be great and please keep in mind I would like to do this as cost effectively as possible. Can't afford the Core i7.

 

[deimos3428]

Hmm, that's a tough one because of the memory. You said you'd prefer 12 or 16 GB -- that's a problem because 4GB DIMMs are very expensive. (Starting at $180 for 1x4GB vs. $40 for 2x2GB).

So you'll want to use 2GB DIMMs to be cost-effective, but few non-i7 boards have more than 4 slots. (On the other hand 8GB is easy and relatively cheap, 4x2GB.)

 

[whackadoo]

Yeah that is what I am finding. I was hoping to find a board that would hold more than 8GB of DDR2 but no luck. Looks like I'm stuck waiting until I have the funds for i7 or I can go with maybe a AMD Phenom quad core with 8GB of DDR2. I'm leaning toward the latter.

 

[drizek]

The AMD route is going to cost you about $300. If that is all you have to work with, then go for it. You aren't going to be able to get that price/performance with intel.

 

[whackadoo]

Do you have any recommendations on specific hardware?

 

[drizek]

Newegg has motherboard/cpu bundles with pretty big discounts, so go for those if you want to keep the prices low. There is an Asus mobo which seems pretty decent with one of the quad cores.

 

[mozartrules]

The memory requirement makes things a little difficult when you are on a budget. You could try something like a server board with a low-end Xeon X5500 CPU, effectively a lower clocked i7 with an 80W thermal limit. NewEgg has a decent combo for $400 (but note that I haven't tried this). You would then need to get 3x4Gb ECC RAM to start with.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131378 (Asus MB + X5504)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220408 (3x4Gb ECC RAM)

 

[whackadoo]

Yeah that is outside the budget. Went ahead and ordered the Gigabyte 790 UD4P board and the Phenom II 940 with 8GB GSkill DDR2 800 plus a Asus fanless 8400 video card. Came to a total $385 shipped, $375 after mail in rebate. Should be a great upgrade over my current Athlon 64 x2 4200 with 2GB PC3200.

Now I just have to learn how to overclock it!

 

[southbound]

You could have gotten the Phenom IIx2 550 for about 60 dollars and unlocked the other 2 cores and with that mobo might have got 3.9ghz like my setup or at least 3.8ghz with no problem.Read the reveiws about this cpu at egg,good luck either way.

 

[southbound]

sorry I need to update my sig,its not up to date.

 

[mozartrules]

Originally posted by: whackadoo
... Basically I need a very robust box
... CPU isn't as critical
... Now I just have to learn how to overclock it!

Given the first two statements, why would you want to overclock. The 940 is a pretty powerful processor at default speed.