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Need advice for hardware and software for Virtualization

M

MatuScien

n00b
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Messages
22
Hey guys!

This is my first post in this wonderful forum and hopefully not the last.

I'm going to ride me a new pc because the one I have not enough for me. I will guide the virtualization, the new field in which I am interested to learn and develop.

I've already read the thread: Virtualization FAQ - What is it? http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1366895

First, I have to know the components that I will choose. I've chosen this. I only need the storage system of the VM and power supply.

AMD FX Series FX-8120 3.1GHz 8X

amd_fx_series_fx_8120_8x.jpg


2x - G.Skill Sniper DDR3 1866 8GB 2x4GB PC3-14900 CL9

g_skill_sniper_ddr3_1866_pc3_14900_8gb_2x4gb_cl9.jpg


Crucial M4 128GB SSD SATA3 (For Windows 8 Pro)

crucial_m4_128gb_sata3_maestro.jpg


Asrock 970 Extreme4 AM3 +

asrock_970_extreme4_am3_.jpg


Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 OC 2GB GDDR5

gigabyte_gtx_650_oc_2gb_gddr5.jpg


Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H80

corsair_cooling_hydro_series_h80.jpg


What do you think these components? Are they appropriate?

Note that I am Spanish and components are more expensive in Spain.

Second, do not know what system to use, I read that ESXi is free. Do you think that is the best option?

The system I will use it practically for virtual machines and introducing me to this world and I'm a sysadmin.

For extra storage system I use a NAS drive.

Hope for help me.



Thanks!!
 
I am not understanding how you will use this system.

Are you building a workstation that will dual boot Windows 8 and ESXi (free version)?

Or will it be a full time workstation running Windows 8 + VMWare Workstation ($$$)?
 
If you can, I would go with a 8350, and maybe even 2 x 8gb sticks of ram.(so later if you need can go to 32gb)

I take it you are going to run esxi and have the datastores on the NAS? If so use a 4gb USB stick to load esxi on, and then use the SSD for local datastore or in the NAS for fast speed.

Yes, there is the free version of esxi which will get you started.
 
Hi if price is an issue you don't need that good a video card. And I don't think nvidia vid cards are good to passthrough to your vm I believe radeon might be better. Also it only needs a cheap video card. You probably need more ram. You can't run very many vms with 8gb of ram. Yes load esxi on a usb stick. You don't need ssd imo unless you are running lots of vms.
 
My first intention was to mount a Windows 8 on an SSD and then use VMware Workstation, but as I would like to investigate because esxi help me develop myself in my work.

I would like esxi and have a VM with Windows 8 to do my daily work, blog, social networking, user guides. Could run Windows 8 with good performance? Can I use 2 monitors on a VM in ESXi? Windows 8 would almost always being executed. To my lab would use Windows Server 2008 in several VM and a couple of customers.

If I use ESXi, would need an SSD is not it? Should put a RAID? RAID 5 with 3 hard drives?

I have a Synology NAS, could be used as storage system? Would be optimal?

Should I put 32 of ram?

I do not like too much money because fanciest be a test lab. (about 800 euros)


Greetings!
 
Last edited:
if you don't play games you should get a cheap radeon card. Mostly esxi is to run servers but I too don't have the space so if you want to use it as your desktop and your learning lab you have a few options

1) Run windows + vmware workstation, you can run esxi inside of vmware workstation and then run nested vms inside your virtual esxi for learning and lab

2) you can run esxi, passthrough video card and usb ports (for mouse keyboard etc) I've been thinking about doing this myself but haven't gotten around to it. It may have other issues that I haven't thought of

SSD is great but I run an older areca card with raid 5 and run 5 vms on this datastore without problems. But ssd is so cheap now, this depends on your budget. I think 16gb or 32gb is a must for a good virtual host machine. I think the rule is you can never have to much ram. Even when I spin up 8 vms my 1045t cpu can handle it all and isn't close to be maxed out. I just wish I can put in more than 32gb
 
If you are new to it and plan to use it for work also, I would put win 8 on it and then use workstation to play with VM's/nested esxi. This way you can have full graphics, dual monitors, and create a lab at your leisure.

If you plan to keep the old computer you could use that with a USB stick and run esxi on that which would be much better.
 
32gb ram is important.
I was surprised how quickly I used up 24GB.

I have a workstation w/48GB and a dedicated ESXi box with 32

For the ESXi box I used onboard graphics and put my money into RAM and an LSI RAID controller.
 
I think I'll do what I say, Windows 8 + VMware Workstation or ESXi

I'll take the 8350 better than the 8120 if performance really is no difference.

Put 32GB of RAM :)

On video card, I like the design and I'll put that motherboard and video card being within my hardware requirements.

The only question I have would be the VM storage system. I do not want to use NAS.

I want something that is not very expensive because it is to repeat a test lab.

Thank you very much guys!

I hope your help.

Greetings!
 
MatuScien said:
I think I'll do what I say, Windows 8 + VMware Workstation or ESXi

I'll take the 8350 better than the 8120 if performance really is no difference.

Put 32GB of RAM :)

On video card, I like the design and I'll put that motherboard and video card being within my hardware requirements.

The only question I have would be the VM storage system. I do not want to use NAS.

I want something that is not very expensive because it is to repeat a test lab.

Thank you very much guys!

I hope your help.

Greetings!
Click to expand...

You should check if you can passthrough your boards SATA controller through ESXi. If you can, then you should make a VM with freeNAS or other OS of your choice and raid with ZFS.
 
I think I will do this:

I will assemble a PC with Windows 8 on a 128GB SSD. I will install VMware Workstation to work with virtual machines.

To save the virtual machines I buy two 1T hard drives in RAID 0, and I do not mind losing your data because it's for a test lab.

To back up (sometimes) will use Synology Network Attached Storage.

Do you think good idea?

Greetings!
 
MatuScien said:
I think I will do this:

I will assemble a PC with Windows 8 on a 128GB SSD. I will install VMware Workstation to work with virtual machines.

To save the virtual machines I buy two 1T hard drives in RAID 0, and I do not mind losing your data because it's for a test lab.

To back up (sometimes) will use Synology Network Attached Storage.

Do you think good idea?

Greetings!
Click to expand...

I dont know if you plan on 1 or more VM's and how to arrange the HD's.

What I am wondering is if putting it in raid 0 and having multiple VM's access it(running VM's at the same time) would be better then having them in no raid, and each VM can have its own HD.
 
Hagrid said:
What I am wondering is if putting it in raid 0 and having multiple VM's access it(running VM's at the same time) would be better then having them in no raid, and each VM can have its own HD.
Click to expand...

Own HDD is better, esp if VMs are running at the same time. RAID 0 is faster, but since multiple VMs will be accessing the array at the same time, it can become a bottle neck.
 
I have already decided. I'll take the SSD 256 for storing virtual machines. Many thanks everybody.

More questions:

- How much RAM maximum frequency supports the FX 8350?
 
MatuScien said:
I have already decided. I'll take the SSD 256 for storing virtual machines. Many thanks everybody.

More questions:

- How much RAM maximum frequency supports the FX 8350?
Click to expand...

I would get 2 x 8 sticks of 1600, or if you have the $$ just get 4 x 8 for max ram.
 
Is it only supports 1600? I put 32 GB of RAM

It supports the FX 8120 FX8350 max 1866 but do not know. Is it worth buying the 8350?
 
MatuScien said:
Is it only supports 1600? I put 32 GB of RAM

It supports the FX 8120 FX8350 max 1866 but do not know. Is it worth buying the 8350?
Click to expand...

I havnt looked up to see what the motherboard will take, but 1600 and 1866 really isnt going to make much difference.
I would get the 8350.
 
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