CPU for VMware/Hyper-V

[3.14or22by7]

1. Q: What is your budget?

35K excluding monitor

2. Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.

i. CPU – AMD Phenom X6 1055T

ii. Motherboard - any compatible motherboard with USB 3.0 and supporting Virtualization.

iii. GPU – anything that can play smooth 1080p videos

iv. 6 GB DDR III RAM (suggest brand)

v. 2 * 500 GB SATA harddrive

3. Q: Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component

Yes, will upgrade the following within 6 months

i. 20-24” TFT monitor

ii. A sound card

iii. Home theater system

4. Q: Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE Dealer)

Bangalore/Chennai

Open to online purchase

5. Q: Would you consider buying a second hand hardware from the TE market

Yes if with warranty

6. Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware

Hosting multiple VMs using Hyper V

HD movies

7. Q: Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them and the reason for your preference/dislike.

Open to suggestions.

8. Q: Are you looking to overclock?

No

9. Q: Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?

Windows 7 64 bit

Server 2008 R2 with Hyper V

I will not be buying a monitor for now and will be using a Asus 16" HD ready at the moment.

Thank you

 

[ALPHA17]

Use this template for better results http://www.techenclave.com/pc-buying-advice/template-what-should-i-buy-use-143714.html

 

[random2]

Few things I would suggest -

Proccy - X6 is good

RAM - More the better. Go for max possible of mobo

HDD - Keep 1 for primary OS and a separate one for VMs

Cabinet - Anything that provides good cooling.

But it all depends on how many VMs you really want to run. I built a decent one in 2008 and I no longer use it. I have a X2 555 with 6gb ram happily running the same stuff.

Initial build -

Q6600 with TT120

Gigabyte 965 DS3P

6 GB Ram - 2x2 - Patriot, 2x1 - Buffalo Firestix + Patriot ram cooler

160gb + 250GB

1900GT with 256mb ram

CM centurion

Currently using -

X2 555

790GXBE

Same RAM as above

250GB + 500GB

CM Centurion 532 cabby

I have seen no difference in performance. Basically I run 2-3VMs at a time. Host OS being Ubuntu 9.10. And I do watch 1080p movies.

Only thing I miss is the dual display I had. I use only one monitor for now.

 

[3.14or22by7]

Hi Alpha, edited the post as per the template.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

Few things I would suggest -

Proccy - X6 is good

RAM - More the better. Go for max possible of mobo

HDD - Keep 1 for primary OS and a separate one for VMs

Cabinet - Anything that provides good cooling.

But it all depends on how many VMs you really want to run. I built a decent one in 2008 and I no longer use it. I have a X2 555 with 6gb ram happily running the same stuff.

Initial build -

Q6600 with TT120

Gigabyte 965 DS3P

6 GB Ram - 2x2 - Patriot, 2x1 - Buffalo Firestix + Patriot ram cooler

160gb + 250GB

1900GT with 256mb ram

CM centurion

Currently using -

X2 555

790GXBE

Same RAM as above

250GB + 500GB

CM Centurion 532 cabby

I have seen no difference in performance. Basically I run 2-3VMs at a time. Host OS being Ubuntu 9.10. And I do watch 1080p movies.

Only thing I miss is the dual display I had. I use only one monitor for now.

I would like to run at least 3 2008 server VMs apart from the host Hyper V. I think 6 GB RAM would do for now and later I may upgrade. Would you suggest a brand and clock for RAM?

 

[random2]

Clock shouldnt matter much. I would say, bank on stability rather than speed. Would say go for Gskill, corsair if your budget permits or Transcend is good too. Make sure you get a good PSU (very important) and cabinet with good cooling.

 

[tommy_vercetti]

I too have a similar build, you can check my signature and I am able to run around 4-5 2008 Server without any problem, though at the moment for Virtualization AMD happens to be the best bet with the X6. Also most people here might not know that some Intel processors do not support "Intel VT", which is needed for running 64 bit hosts, AMD processors have been supporting the AMD evuivalent of it "AMD-V" on almost all of there processors apart from the low end Sempron range. Also the AMD processors support SLAT or hardware translation, do not understand exactly what that means, but it helps in Virtualization, only Intel i7 processor support that feature.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

|Q9550 E0|Transcend 4 X 2GB DDR2 667|GA EP45 DS5|WD 500GB HDD|XFX HD 5770 1024MB|Corsair VX450|BenQ G2420HD|

 

[3.14or22by7]

@tommy: Many Thanks for the affirmation. Could you tell what kind of services that you run on those VMs?

 

[aman.pitbull]

You can get the following components :

Processor : AMD Phenom II 1055T 2.8GHz, 9M, AM3 Rs.9800

MOBO : MSI 880GMA-E45 Rs.5700

Graphics Card : NOT required as on-board is pretty good for 1080p playback.

RAM : Corsair 4 GB Single Module Value 1333 FSB - Rs.4750/-X 2 =8gb DDR3 1333Mhz = Rs.9500 (6gb will not run in dual channel in an AMD setup so its good to invest in 2 4gb sticks to run it in dual channel)

Hard Disk : 2XSeagate 7200.12 = 2X Rs.1900 Rs.3800

PSU/SMPS : Corsair VX450 Rs.3700

Case : NZXT Gamma + 120mm exhaust Rs2300

KebardMouse : Logitech Internet Pro Set Rs.650

Total Amount = Rs.35450

chao

 

[3.14or22by7]

@aman: Hands down :clap::clap::clap:
Can I get the PSU and case in SP road, Bangalore? Or should I buy online? any ideas?

Thanks again.

 

[agm_105]

Wont the processor require some kind of cpu cooler ??

 

[aman.pitbull]

@3.14or22by7

Bot the PSU and the case should be available @ SP road, if not we have many Dealers here on TE's dealer section who can ship.

@agm_105

Stock cooler is good enough as long as one is not planning to overclock.

 

[ALPHA17]

Wont the processor require some kind of cpu cooler ??

The NZXT lineup is available at Golccha and no as Aman says stock cooler is good enough until you don't overclock which I doubt you were looking for. Also thaanks for updating your initial post it got you well tailored answers fast + unlike a lot of new new comers you did not start spawning new threads

 

[3.14or22by7]

The NZXT lineup is available at Golccha and no as Aman says stock cooler is good enough until you don't overclock which I doubt you were looking for. Also thaanks for updating your initial post it got you well tailored answers fast + unlike a lot of new new comers you did not start spawning new threads

Thank you

Not sure if you received my reply to your PM. If not lemme know

 

[JayMathers]

Couple of things to think of before you build a Virtualization enabled System.

Does the ESX 4.0.1/4.0 support the motherboard chipset type - As of now, most of the NVIDIA chipsets are compatible with the ESX 4.0, and will not require any additional Hardware.

Do you please to do network load balance - You will have to use a INTEL MT or a GT LAN CARD for that.

Do you have enough memory to support all your VMs - At home where we would be concerned with handling 1 VM at a time, it is easy to distribute resources cause of no load. My suggestion will be to go for any tool to boost the CPU to 100% in one VM and then check the other for stability & performance.

Do you have plan to counter High I/O at Storage - Point out the RAID in this case, cause most of the Chipsets will not be supported to get the RAID configured unless its Hardware Based RAID. Plus even though it is Hardware RAID, there is a possibility that the drivers are not present, hence you'll need to check for that as well.

And remember that you will always need 2 Identical Physical Systems Plus a dedicated SAN Environment get a real taste of vSphere, else its just like getting the taste of only 20% of the vSphere Technology.

Poor thing is that I recently shut down my Vmware Lab cause my Bro is in town and he wanted his room back. Or else you would have got everything you ever needed.

Useful Resource - ESX / ESXi 4.0 Whitebox HCL

GODSPEED

 

[tommy_vercetti]

@tommy: Many Thanks for the affirmation. Could you tell what kind of services that you run on those VMs?

I have 1 Server running a DC / 1 running Exchange 2007 /1 running SharePoint 2007 / 1 running as a Client VM running Windows 7, I would again like to clarify that this is a testing environment, just to see their working and study it, so they are not up 24/7
P.S.

I use VMWare Workstation not ESX, ESX requires a dedicated machine running as the Virtual Host

 

[3.14or22by7]

You can get the following components :

Processor : AMD Phenom II 1055T 2.8GHz, 9M, AM3 Rs.9800

MOBO : MSI 880GMA-E45 Rs.5700

Graphics Card : NOT required as on-board is pretty good for 1080p playback.

RAM : Corsair 4 GB Single Module Value 1333 FSB - Rs.4750/-X 2 =8gb DDR3 1333Mhz = Rs.9500 (6gb will not run in dual channel in an AMD setup so its good to invest in 2 4gb sticks to run it in dual channel)

Hard Disk : 2XSeagate 7200.12 = 2X Rs.1900 Rs.3800

PSU/SMPS : Corsair VX450 Rs.3700

Case : NZXT Gamma + 120mm exhaust Rs2300

KebardMouse : Logitech Internet Pro Set Rs.650

Total Amount = Rs.35450

chao

Couple of things to think of before you build a Virtualization enabled System.

Does the ESX 4.0.1/4.0 support the motherboard chipset type - As of now, most of the NVIDIA chipsets are compatible with the ESX 4.0, and will not require any additional Hardware.

Do you please to do network load balance - You will have to use a INTEL MT or a GT LAN CARD for that.

Do you have enough memory to support all your VMs - At home where we would be concerned with handling 1 VM at a time, it is easy to distribute resources cause of no load. My suggestion will be to go for any tool to boost the CPU to 100% in one VM and then check the other for stability & performance.

Do you have plan to counter High I/O at Storage - Point out the RAID in this case, cause most of the Chipsets will not be supported to get the RAID configured unless its Hardware Based RAID. Plus even though it is Hardware RAID, there is a possibility that the drivers are not present, hence you'll need to check for that as well.

And remember that you will always need 2 Identical Physical Systems Plus a dedicated SAN Environment get a real taste of vSphere, else its just like getting the taste of only 20% of the vSphere Technology.

Poor thing is that I recently shut down my Vmware Lab cause my Bro is in town and he wanted his room back. Or else you would have got everything you ever needed.

Useful Resource - ESX / ESXi 4.0 Whitebox HCL

GODSPEED

Thank you. It would have been very helpful had your lab was still on

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

I have 1 Server running a DC / 1 running Exchange 2007 /1 running SharePoint 2007 / 1 running as a Client VM running Windows 7, I would again like to clarify that this is a testing environment, just to see their working and study it, so they are not up 24/7

P.S.

I use VMWare Workstation not ESX, ESX requires a dedicated machine running as the Virtual Host

Yeah that should be enough. Even I don't intend much on learning VMware but would doing a lot of stuff on those VMs.

 

[3.14or22by7]

Guys, I was able to buy

AMD X6 1055T - 9450

WD 500 GB SATA*2 - 1750*2

Corsair VX 450 - 3400

I searched in a few stores for the MSI 880GMA-E45 mobo or an equivalent ASUS mobo but was not to be found or price was not satisfactory.

Prices I received were so high for Corsair 4 GB single module whereas it is available for 4550 from primeabgb + shipping.

People wondered what is NZXT. And one shop said it was Rs. 2850. So, I decided not to buy.

Was disappointed as I wanted to complete purchase of everything and assemble the system.

Now, is there any other source from where I can buy all the other components? Online shops will also work for me?

A big thanks again for everyone!

 

[3.14or22by7]

Guys, any help here? I need to buy all the components ASAP.

 

[kekerode]

Why not go for Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H Motherboard ... Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H

For 2 x 4GB RAM to run stable, I would choose a good mobo

Corsair 4GB 1333MHz is now Rs 4500/- at PrimeABGB ... and prices are very near to the ones in USA.

For cabinet ... I would prefer to buy it locally.

 

[3.14or22by7]

@kekerode: Motherboard seems out of my budget for now. Would you recommend 4*2GB modules then?