ESXI Whitebox

[Plasticjesus690]

Hello Everyone,

I was working on a 2p g34 build based off the Asus KGPE D16. After receiving a third dead board I have decided to call it quits on the platform and have since offloaded the cpus. I currently have PSU, Case, and 8x 4gb PC8500 ECC memory. I was going for an ESXI all in one build with lots of head room for expansion. What would you recommend I go with an an intel counterpart. I am fine with used parts. Pass through is an important feature for me. I would prefer to not use desktop motherboards as well.

 

[The_Moves]

Not to be a smartass, but search is your friend:

http://hardforum.com/search.php

My suggestion would be Supermicro. I assume most Xeons support VT-D, but I havn't looked. SInce your using ECC, therefore you have to get a Xeon. Supermicro also has some cases with built in SAS backplanes and drive cages. Also get a M1015 for Passthrough, otherwise any RAID card that has VMware drivers.

You could also by my GTX465 soft modded to Quadro 4k off me ;-)

 

[Plasticjesus690]

Not to be a smartass, but search is your friend:

http://hardforum.com/search.php

My suggestion would be Supermicro. I assume most Xeons support VT-D, but I havn't looked. SInce your using ECC, therefore you have to get a Xeon. Supermicro also has some cases with built in SAS backplanes and drive cages. Also get a M1015 for Passthrough, otherwise any RAID card that has VMware drivers.

You could also by my GTX465 soft modded to Quadro 4k off me ;-)

I have an M1015 the only thing I need is motherboard and cpu suggestions that support VT D. I was hoping to stay at the same price point of the amd build which was around 700 for CPU and motherboard. The more ram slots the better as I am currently stuck with lower density sticks. I am using a rackmount 4u case so the size of the motherboard isnt really an issue either.

 

[Netwerkz101]

Hello Everyone,

I was working on a 2p g34 build based off the Asus KGPE D16. After receiving a third dead board I have decided to call it quits on the platform and have since offloaded the cpus. I currently have PSU, Case, and 8x 4gb PC8500 ECC memory. I was going for an ESXI all in one build with lots of head room for expansion. What would you recommend I go with an an intel counterpart. I am fine with used parts. Pass through is an important feature for me. I would prefer to not use desktop motherboards as well.

On the surface ... easy to recommend a Supermicro dual socket 2011 board...but...

I think you will be starting from scratch most likely.
Be mindful of existing form factor and memory.

Can your case mount a E-ATX board?
You will really need to research your memory specs to see if they will work with SM boards.

 

[mi7chy]

Should've gone with Supermicro and as others have suggested follow the memory (can't go wrong with Samsung and Hynix) and hardware compatibility list for motherboard and Vmware. What's nice about Supermicro for ESXi is that they have internal USB ports so your USB flash key that you boot off of is hidden inside the case away from being accidentally detached or broken off and everything just work.

 

[Netwerkz101]

I have an M1015 the only thing I need is motherboard and cpu suggestions that support VT D. I was hoping to stay at the same price point of the amd build which was around 700 for CPU and motherboard. The more ram slots the better as I am currently stuck with lower density sticks. I am using a rackmount 4u case so the size of the motherboard isnt really an issue either.

Ummm ... just noticed the $700 price point you are trying to stay at.

Going to really be a challenge for a dual socket 2011 _and_ two Intel Xeon processors for
$700 ... but since you are oka with used.... you likely need to start searching your favorite auction site(s).

 

[Plasticjesus690]

Ummm ... just noticed the $700 price point you are trying to stay at.

Going to really be a challenge for a dual socket 2011 _and_ two Intel Xeon processors for
$700 ... but since you are oka with used.... you likely need to start searching your favorite auction site(s).

I am okay going with one processor for now and upgrading later. I would really hate to waste the memory I currently have. I was even considering going with an older 1366 board. I am just unsure as to what motherboard somone would recommend for 1366. I Have noticed some Supermicro boards supporting pass-through and others dont. Most of the whitebox bulilds I find using search are people trying to stay with smaller form factors I am not limited by this and am having an awful time finding a direction. So 1366 or get one cpu and go with a 2p LGA 2011 build. If someone can recommend another G34 board that supports immou other than the Asus board I am not complete against a g34 build still at this point. I just refuse to get another Asus Product after my latest experiences.

Should've gone with Supermicro and as others have suggested follow the memory (can't go wrong with Samsung and Hynix) and hardware compatibility list for motherboard and Vmware. What's nice about Supermicro for ESXi is that they have internal USB ports so your USB flash key that you boot off of is hidden inside the case away from being accidentally detached or broken off and everything just work.

I am sorry I should have been more specific yes my case can take a full E- atx board. I notice in your sig that you are running some Opteron I have easy access to two 6262 HEs can you recommend a good g34 board that supports the features I want. THe only other Supermicro board I can find is. This one and I do not believe it does.