Want to build a server-like machine ....

[mfenn]

Also dont bother with an SSD for the OS. If you are going to drop some coin on them, use them for the VM's. ESXi can boot from a memory stick (I use a 2GB chip) so doesn't gain anything from it unless you use a fake license and use SSD caching.

Also the people talking about thread counts and the like... you don't need to care for a lab. 32GB of RAM is going to RAM starve the VM's far far before CPU is going to be the issue. Even with all the machines running I barely keep the CPU above 25% on a busy day.

This man speaks the truth. I run my lab on an i3 and never ever run into performance issues. (I also run 8GB of RAM, but that's cause I run Linux and don't need more than 512MB per VM.)

 

[Phaetos]

So I could just go with a non-server level cpu, just get the best desktop one I can and roll with it?

 

[mfenn]

So I could just go with a non-server level cpu, just get the best desktop one I can and roll with it?

Yes, absolutely. For $1000, the only server CPU you should even be considering is a Xeon E3, and probably not even that.

 

[Phaetos]

Yes, absolutely. For $1000, the only server CPU you should even be considering is a Xeon E3, and probably not even that.

Someone an Intel fanboy? Lol.

 

[Phaetos]

Looking at consumer level cpu's and mobo's. I can't seem to find a dual lan mobo that aren't $200 or more .... any help?

Edit: Found an AMD mobo from ECS(Elitegroup) that is dual nic, but no onboard video. Frustrating!

 

[Agent11]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128567
You may want to consider an intel itx motherboard.

 

[Phaetos]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128567
You may want to consider an intel itx motherboard.

Only got 2 RAM slots..... argh ... this is so much more complicated than it was 8 years ago when I built my last rig.....

 

[imagoon]

Buy a $15 intel nic on ebay, plug in, now you have 2,3 or 5 ports. My labs never needed the second nic and I have an intel dual port one in there.

 

[Phaetos]

So what about this CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113321

It's still a decent cpu, uses only 95W, and is almost 1/2 the price of the Abu Dhabi in the previous posts. My problem is finding a mobo for it that can be certified for Vmware. There are 2 Supermicro boards on Newegg, both of which are Micro-ATX.

Edit: This is a socket C32 CPU and it seems impossible to find a mobo with that socket .....

 

[mfenn]

Someone an Intel fanboy? Lol.

Hardly. Notice my phrasing, "the only server CPU you should even be considering". In other words, the Opterons and Xeon E5's either don't give an appreciable boost over their consumer counterparts or just cost way too much.

 

[mfenn]

So what about this CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113321

It's still a decent cpu, uses only 95W, and is almost 1/2 the price of the Abu Dhabi in the previous posts. My problem is finding a mobo for it that can be certified for Vmware. There are 2 Supermicro boards on Newegg, both of which are Micro-ATX.

Edit: This is a socket C32 CPU and it seems impossible to find a mobo with that socket .....

That's essentially a dual-socket capable FX-6300 at a lower clock speed. Since you won't be going dual-socket, you might as well just get an FX-6300 for less.

Looking at consumer level cpu's and mobo's. I can't seem to find a dual lan mobo that aren't $200 or more .... any help?

Edit: Found an AMD mobo from ECS(Elitegroup) that is dual nic, but no onboard video. Frustrating!

They do seem to be few and far between. Imagoon's suggestion of buying a cheap add-in NIC is the way to go here. ESXi has gotten much better NIC support over the years. I run my 5.0 lab off a pair of Realtek's using the built-in rtl8169 driver.

 

[Phaetos]

Think I have settled on parts:

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813182246

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113321

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820403013

And a sweet case for the micro-atx:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811815016

 

[mfenn]

Think I have settled on parts:

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813182246

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113321

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820403013

And a sweet case for the micro-atx:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811815016

That is honestly not a very good configuration for your intended purpose. You're spending $555 and getting a partial machine with 6 AMD cores and 4GB of RAM. Your average run-of-the-mill $500 Best Buy machine beats that.

This machine is better:

FX-6300 $120
MSI 760GM-E51 $63 - RTL8111 is supported on ESXi 5.0 and later
Team DDR3 1600 16GB kit x2 $260
Xigmatek Gigas $70
Subtotal: $513

That's an equivalent number of parts to what you have. Then to fill it out to a full machine:

Toshiba 7200RPM 2TB x2 $170
Micro USB drive 8GB $8 - install ESXi itself here.
Lite-ON DVD Burner $15 AP - only needed to install the OS
Corsair CX430M $23 AR AP
Total: $729

 

[Phaetos]

I forgot to say that was 4 sticks of 4GB RAM. And yes that is a partial list, I have the rest of it in my wish list.

Unfortunately, the Gigas case is out of stock, and every other retailer says it's out of stock and discontinued. Oh well, find another case, no biggie. I read in an reply somewhere, that the Vishera CPU's ran really hot. How true is that ....?

 

[Phaetos]

And why did you recommend a 430watt PSU? Previously in this thread, a 500W Silverstone was advised ....

 

[mfenn]

I forgot to say that was 4 sticks of 4GB RAM. And yes that is a partial list, I have the rest of it in my wish list.

OK, RAM notwithstanding, that CPU and motherboard were way too expensive for this build.

Unfortunately, the Gigas case is out of stock, and every other retailer says it's out of stock and discontinued. Oh well, find another case, no biggie.

How about the Merc Alpha? It's a more of a traditional shape than the Gigas, but its actually only about 3% more volume.

I read in an reply somewhere, that the Vishera CPU's ran really hot. How true is that ....?

The Seoul you linked is the Opteron version of the Vishera. They are both the same TDP (95W) and neither will run very hot unless you load it down completely. That's unlikely in a lab environment IMHO.

And why did you recommend a 430watt PSU? Previously in this thread, a 500W Silverstone was advised ....

The CX430M is inexpensive, good quality, and 430W is about 3 times more power than you need already.

 

[Phaetos]

mfenn, you are a savior! I knew I could get some straight answers here at AnandTech. I always tend to overthink solutions to problems and make it more than it should be. I like your suggestions and will go that route. Though I am kinda partial to this Cooler Master case .. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119274.

And assuming that since that FX chip is a retail box, it should come with fins and fan, right?

Edit: Though this one kinda tickles my fancy a bit. ....http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1N8-001K-00002

 

[mfenn]

mfenn, you are a savior! I knew I could get some straight answers here at AnandTech. I always tend to overthink solutions to problems and make it more than it should be. I like your suggestions and will go that route. Though I am kinda partial to this Cooler Master case .. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119274.

And assuming that since that FX chip is a retail box, it should come with fins and fan, right?

Edit: Though this one kinda tickles my fancy a bit. ....http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...1N8-001K-00002

Glad to help.

Either one of those cases is good for this application. The N200 is smaller, but the GX700 is overall a little fancier and more expandable.

You are correct that the FX-6300 comes with a stock cooler. Not the quietest thing in the world, but it will keep the CPU cool at stock clocks.

 

[Phaetos]

Decided on the Cooler Master case. For some reason having that many external 5.25" drives is a waste of space that could accommodate more internal drives. Either way, the CM one will do nicely. I'll keep this updated with the finished build when I get the parts together.

Again, thanks mfenn.

 

[Phaetos]

I got it together and finished up. Works great and went together nicely, except the old IDE DVD drive I had laying around won't fit in the case completely. Even tho it's a mATX board and case for it, when I pushed the drive all the way back, almost, the backend of the dvd butts into a row of connecting pins. So I had to let the drive stick out of the case a bit, so that the drive wouldn't short out the mobo.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, special thanks to Mfenn for the final pieces. It works perfectly.