Mobo/CPU upgrade for virtualization

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tgabe213

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So my technet sub has begun and I'd like to upgrade my WHS to run server 2008, and have the following virtualized: WHS, server 08 (web server), server 08 (db server), and Windows XP (cod server)

My current WHS specs:
Foxconn g33 mobo from a Dell inspiron 530
Celeron E1200
2x1 G.Skill DDR2 800
1TB WD Green
500GB Seagate
320GB Samsung
DVD Drive from Dell

things to note:
I'm not sure if my specifc board can handle older quads (Q6600). They did ship with them after I bought mine
WHS requires minimal RAM
COD4 server requires minimal RAM as well (will have only a few users on at a time every so often)
needs to be micro atx. Current board is and I like the lack of a video card producing less heat
I'd like something that has onboard gig Ethernet, otherwise I'll just get a exoansion card
at most, I think the hardest things will get hit is while developing and hitting the database, or streaming from WHS, or running backup.

Not a whole lot of resources, but I'd like to keep all VM's running 24/7.

Recommendations? I really don't want to spend too much. $150 would be nice, 200 if need be.
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The G33 chipset should support the Q6600 out of the box considering that the chipset came out several months after the Q6600's release. So if you can find a Q6600 for $150 via ebay, the FS/FT subforum we have or craiglist, I highly recommend going with that option. No need to upgrade the mobo unless you want 4GB of RAM or not
 
I think 4gb would be plenty, yes? I'd probably pick up another set of 2 gigs, and run 64-bit server 08.

Are there any other dual cores that might be a better alternative or is the quad the way to go with this board?
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Definitely go quad, specifically the Q6600. For virtualization, quad core is a definite benefit. The extra cores will help out significantly more than a faster dual-core CPU when running multiple VMs like you are doing.

4GB of RAM would be enough if you limit each VM to 384MB to 512MB of RAM if running all four at the same time. BTW, what will be your host OS?

Wait, does your mobo have four or two RAM slots? If four, check to see if it supports 8GB of RAM.
 
Host os would be server 2008.

I'll have to check on the max ram. I believe it has 4 slots on it. Haven't opened it up in a while.
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Looks like max ram is 4gb. Haven't found clarification on CPU. It goes back and forth.
 
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http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19247282/19390983.aspx

Take a look. I read thru and found some reassurance on the upgrade path with my mobo. I do have the 02 version since it originally came with an E6550. Power supply is an Antec Earth Watts 380w.

So might I be looking for the cheapest Quad combo I can find?

Mobo just needs to have at least 4-6 sata ports and a gigabit nic.

Also, I'm going to need something MicroATX that has onboard video. Unless its worthwhile to find the cheapest video card possible. I do want this to be as quiet and low power as possible.
 
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So wait, is $200 still your max budget for CPU and mobo?

IIRC, Intel's VT is better supported than AMD's AMD-V. Might want to double check that though.
 
Danny Bui said:
So wait, is $200 still your max budget for CPU and mobo?

IIRC, Intel's VT is better supported than AMD's AMD-V. Might want to double check that though.
Click to expand...

Well, I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible... Throw out a few different options if you could. I'd rather stick with Intel. You know how this goes. You have something in mind of what you want, and always end up spending a bit more than you planned.

Thoughts on the Q8200?
 
IIRC, you'll need a Q9400 or better for the newer quads. As Danny mentioned, the Q6600 would be your best bet.
 
I still need to find a motherboard because the one I have will not take the Q6600 (supposedly). I'd like to find a board and a CPU. I'll try the Q6600 in the mobo I have now just to make sure.

But I need to find a Q6600!
 
Markyip is about to sell his Q6600 + P5Q Pro, IIRC.

Really? that board won't take a quad??!?? Its a G33... bearlake... you know, the chipset built for Core2, lol.
 
tgabe213 said:
But I need to find a Q6600!
Click to expand...
Ebay, FS/FT subforum, craiglist, etc.

Cheapest quality mATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 6 SATA ports with four DDR2 RAM slots and gigabit LAN:
$90 - Foxconn G45M-S LGA 775 Intel G45 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Cheapest quality mATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 4 SATA ports with two DDR2 RAM slots and gigabit LAN:
$53 - Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L Intel G31 mATX Motherboard
 
enginurd said:
Markyip is about to sell his Q6600 + P5Q Pro, IIRC.

Really? that board won't take a quad??!?? Its a G33... bearlake... you know, the chipset built for Core2, lol.
Click to expand...

But, it's a Dell!!!

Like with that link I posted, Foxconn produced 2 different mobo's for the Inspiron 530. Either a C2D board (which is what I have), or the C2Q version (which also came with a slightly bigger PSU).
 
Danny Bui said:
Ebay, FS/FT subforum, craiglist, etc.

Cheapest quality mATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 6 SATA ports with four DDR2 RAM slots and gigabit LAN:
$90 - Foxconn G45M-S LGA 775 Intel G45 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Cheapest quality mATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 4 SATA ports with two DDR2 RAM slots and gigabit LAN:
$53 - Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L Intel G31 mATX Motherboard
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Do you know of any ATX board that have onboard video? I'm just trying to take a look at everything before buying.
 
tgabe213 said:
Thanks!

Do you know of any ATX board that have onboard video? I'm just trying to take a look at everything before buying.
Click to expand...
Cheapest quality ATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 6 SATA ports with two DDR2 RAM slots, onboard video, and gigabit LAN:
$85 - Intel BOXDG43NB LGA 775 Intel G43 ATX Intel Motherboard

Cheapest quality ATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 4 SATA ports with two DDR2 RAM slots, onboard video, and gigabit LAN:
$50 - Foxconn G31AX-K LGA 775 Intel G31 ATX Intel Motherboard
 
Danny Bui said:
Cheapest quality ATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 6 SATA ports with two DDR2 RAM slots, onboard video, and gigabit LAN:
$85 - Intel BOXDG43NB LGA 775 Intel G43 ATX Intel Motherboard

Cheapest quality ATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 4 SATA ports with two DDR2 RAM slots, onboard video, and gigabit LAN:
$50 - Foxconn G31AX-K LGA 775 Intel G31 ATX Intel Motherboard
Click to expand...

Awesome! How did you find the ATX's with onboard?

I know this typically matters to my needs, but would it be worthwhile finding a board that has at least an 8gig RAM max? I wouldn't be fully utilizing all 8 gigs, but I'm not sure how much of my VM's need.

Host (Server 08): ?
WHS: 512mb
Win XP (cod4): 512mb
Web Server (server 08): ?
DB Server (server 08): ?
 
Cheapest quality mATX 775 mobo on newegg that has 6 SATA ports with four DDR2 RAM slots and gigabit LAN:
$90 - Foxconn G45M-S LGA 775 Intel G45 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Click to expand...

Top of my list right now. Mainly because that way I can use my existing 2x1GB, and pick up a 2x2GB set for 6GB.
 
tgabe213 said:
Awesome! How did you find the ATX's with onboard?

I know this typically matters to my needs, but would it be worthwhile finding a board that has at least an 8gig RAM max? I wouldn't be fully utilizing all 8 gigs, but I'm not sure how much of my VM's need.
Click to expand...

I'd say err on the side of caution and go for a mobo with support for 8GB of RAM. Never know when your OS needs might change.

Though now that I think about it, the web server could be joined with either the COD 4 or DB VMs since web serving doesn't take that much resources.
 
Danny Bui said:
I'd say err on the side of caution and go for a mobo with support for 8GB of RAM. Never know when your OS needs might change.

Though now that I think about it, the web server could be joined with either the COD 4 or DB VMs since web serving doesn't take that much resources.
Click to expand...

Wait, what? Isn't that what I said I was going to do? I don't want to stick with 4gb max.
 
tgabe213 said:
Wait, what? Isn't that what I said I was going to do? I don't want to stick with 4gb max.
Click to expand...

Well you asked "would it be worthwhile finding a board that has at least an 8gig RAM max?"

My post was my answer.
 
Looks like ZZF has Bing 20% cash back. Going to take a look on there.

Edit:

The Q8400 comes out to $150 after Bing CB. What does the Q6600 have over the others? That's roughly the price it would be for a used Q6600
 
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I'm not going ga-ga. I'm just looking at all options. The Q8400 is listed in my link. So I just wanted to know what the Q6600 has over it
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tgabe213 said:
I'm not going ga-ga. I'm just looking at all options. The Q8400 is listed in my link. So I just wanted to know what the Q6600 has over it
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
Click to expand...

VT Support. Their performance will be pretty close to one another. But since you're doing virtualization, the Q6600's VT support makes it the clear winner.
 
I won't bore you with my wishy-washyness anymore.

I'll toss in an update after I buy.

Thanks for the help!
 
Danny Bui said:
LOL! Don't worry about it.
Click to expand...

;)

I just reminded myself that I'd like to try to have a VM for HTPC use as well. I've only got a 32" LCD 720p Samsung. To start off, it would be regular ripped DVD's that I'd be playing to the TV, but when I pick up a Bluray drive, I'd like to be able to play my Bluray's via HDMI to the TV (sound as well).

On that note, I'm not an HTPC expert. I've just seen a few things regarding the 9300. This board has everything I need. Onboard video, 4 ram slots, 6 sata ports, and 8gb max ram. $90 at ZZF (Newegg Link)
 
Considering for purchase:

$90 - XFX MI93007 AS9 LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9300 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

$168 - INTEL BX80580Q9400 Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66 GHz 1333 MHz Socket 775 6MB
 
Not a good idea to run a HTPC in a VM IMO. AFAIK, no virtual software allows for full use of the GPU which means no access to the GPU offloading of HD content that the 9300 chipset offers.
 
$90? nice deal. There were some issues getting full 7.1ch audio, IIRC. I can't seem to find the thread right now, but I believe it was on the XFX board, but I could be wrong.

Yah, best not to run the HTPC on a VM.
 
Hm. I wonder how I should do that then. I could just hook up my laptop to the TV and stream off the server, but if I could hook the server up directly to the TV it would be nice.

-Could I run Server 08 and enable the Aero role (or whichever has the graphics options) as the host OS like I originally planned? That way my host is the media center, while having others in the VM's.

-Also, is my Antec Earthwatts 380w going to power that quad?

-I'm also trying to find a memory compatibility chart for that motherboard. I currently have this ram in the server, and I was going to find a 2x2GB set to put in there as well for 6GB.
 
Just use the host OS as the HTPC OS. Yes you can use Aero or whatever graphics mode in the host OS while using multiple VMs. The EA380 should be able to power that quad as long as you stick to onboard video, no overclocking and roughly 5 drives max, 4 to be on the safe side.
 
I don't plan on overclocking and I currently have a 1TB WD GP, 500GB Seagate, and a 320GB Samsung or WD.
 
Final Considerations:

$166 - Q9400

$81 Foxconn G45M-S OR $92 Intel G45 DG45ID

All prices are after their respective cash back amounts.

=========================

I realize $200 was pretty unrealistic but I think I can really get a lot accomplished with this setup. I'm going to have to find a 2x2GB set of RAM for whatever board I select.
 
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