New computer for virtualization

[Seraphim974]

Hey a coworker wanted me to look at a $900 build he is about to order online.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing?
Virtualization. VM Workstation

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$900 total after tax and shipping

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
La Crosse, Wisconsin

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, MOBO, RAM, PSU, HDD, video card, case, disc drive

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
1080p lcd

6) Will you be overclocking?
No

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1080p, 24"

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
ASAP, black friday deals online

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
SATA III USB 3

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, 64 bit Windows 7

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I took a look myself and everything seemed in order except for the RAM he chose. I thought maybe 1600Mhz would suffice?

Also, I'm going to suggest to him he get a case with front USB 3.0

He seems to have priced everything out on Tigerdirect thus far.

List he gave me:

AMD FD8350FRHKBOX FX-8350 Eight-Core 4GHz AM3+ Processor - AM3+, Eight-Core, 4GHz, 16MB, 125W, Unlocked
Item#: A79-8350 | Model#: FD8350FRHKBOX

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4904561&CatId=7339

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ASUS M5A99FX Pro R2.0 Socket AM3+ Motherboard - ATX, Socket AM3+, AMD 990FX/SB950 Chipset, 2133MHz DDR3 (O.C.), 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, CrossFireX Ready
Item#: A455-8426 | Model#: M5A99FX PRO R2.0

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3184372

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Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB Desktop Memory Module Kit - DDR3, 2 x 8GB, 1866Mhz, DIMM, CL 10, 240 Pin, 1.5V (KHX18C10AT3K2/16X)
Item#: K24-9582 | Model#: KHX18C10AT3K2/16X

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8045927&CatId=4534

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WD Black 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive, Designed for High-Performance - 3.5" - Sata 6 Gb/s, 7200RPM, 64MB Cache, 5yr Warranty (WD1002FAEX)
Item#: TSD-1000FAEX | Model#: WD1002FAEX

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6076939&CatId=139

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Asus HD770-DC-1GBD5-V2 AMD Radeon HD 7770 Video Card - 1GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 3.0, 2x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, CrossFireX Ready, DirectCU Cooling, Overclocked
Item#: A455-7772 | Model#: HD7770-DC-1GD5-V2

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2652129&CatId=7387

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Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case - ATX, Micro ATX, 3x Ext 5.25", 5x Int 3.5", 1x Ext 3.5", 1x Int 2.5", 4x 120mm Fans, 4x Front USB Ports, Fan Controller, Temperature Display
Item#: Z20-4010 | Model#: Z9 PLUS

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7166024&CatId=1509

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Corsair CX Series CX750 CP-9020015-NA 750W Power Supply - ATX, 24 Pin Connector, 80 Plus Bronze, Active PFC, SATA
Item#: C13-2854 | Model#: CP-9020015-NA

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3844176&CatId=2533

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LG WH14NS40 14X Blu-Ray Burner - SATA, 4MB Buffer, 3D Playback, OEM
Item#: L49-8018 OEM | Model#: WH14NS40

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7462667&CatId=3634

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Thanks for any input!!

 

[cortexodus]

If it's purely for virtualization, then the PSU is overkill and I don't understand the Blu-Ray drive. The GPU sort of makes sense (depending on whether GPU is being passed into VMs) but otherwise is probably also overkill.

If this machine will be used for virtualization and some media/gaming purposes, it may be wise to bump the GPU up a notch to maybe an R9-270 or something.

 

[Seraphim974]

maybe CX 600 PSU?

 

[cortexodus]

I'm sure the CX600 will work but I'm not thrilled with the fan noise it makes in my Phenom X6 build (which is for virtualization, actually )

 

[Benzino]

I'd recommend the Gigabyte GA-990FX-UD3. Best board for virtualisation out there.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=667675&CatId=7246

The 8320 will use a lot of power under load, so the 750 watt PSU is reasonable.

 

[cortexodus]

I'd recommend the Gigabyte GA-990FX-UD3. Best board for virtualisation out there.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=667675&CatId=7246

The 8320 will use a lot of power under load, so the 750 watt PSU is reasonable.

*I second the mobo recommendation, and the new revisions have UEFI which is nice.

Unless he's dropping a much more powerful GPU into the equation, I'd still say the 750W is overkill.

I run my FX8120 + GA-990FXA-UD3 virtualization box on a 550W PSU since the GPU is a dinky little 7600GT with passive cooling. There's 6 HDDs in that box as well and I don't think it's ever topped out the 550W unit.

However, if this machine were to be expanded into anything even remotely resembling a gaming configuration, the 750W isn't just reasonable, it's gonna be necessary. I routinely hit 690W+ running the 8120 with 2x 570s in SLI.

 

[Seraphim974]

What's making this board better for virtualization over the other one? This is entry-level virtualization also.

 

[defaultluser]

I'm sure the CX600 will work but I'm not thrilled with the fan noise it makes in my Phenom X6 build (which is for virtualization, actually )

Well yes, if you want lots of reliable power for cheap the Corsair Builders Series is a good choice. But you would not expect them to throw in benefits like low noise as well for such a low price, would you?

You can step up to the higher-end Corsair H models, or Seasonic for low-noise. You usually have to pay a $20-30 premium for this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

 

[cortexodus]

Well yes, if you want lots of reliable power for cheap the Corsair Builders Series is a good choice. But you would not expect them to throw in benefits like low noise as well for such a low price, would you?

You can step up to the higher-end Corsair H models, or Seasonic for low-noise. You usually have to pay a $20-30 premium for this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

Agreed. I really like PC Power and Cooling's Silencer units. I would always advise buying the best PSU you're willing to pay for at a given level but, I've really given up trying to convince other people to do the same.

The PSU is so "un-sexy" and most people just want something cheap to slap in there so, as long as they're not suggesting something that is a genuine piece of excrement, I just let it slide.

 

[Seraphim974]

I remember opening a christmas gift when I was around 17 almost a decade ago and it was a PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610W and my brother couldn't stop laughing.

 

[Benzino]

What's making this board better for virtualization over the other one? This is entry-level virtualization also.

It has the best hardware passthrough support for virtualization out of any consumer motherboard out there. A lot of folks use this motherboard for an VMware ESXi box.

 

[Dangman]

Is he restricted to Tigerdirect only or something? Their pricing isn't all that good since they don't offer as much free shipping like Newegg or Amazon.com does.

That RAM is a bad choice at $190. DDR3 1600 is more than enough. I recommend this Corsair RAM instead since there's no way in hell you'll notice $45 worth of performance difference between DDR3 1600 and DDR3 1866:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TG8QRW/?tag=extension-kb-20

Why is that HD 7770 there? Is he planning on playing games? If not, he'll be fine with this card for $65 shipped:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z5GRW6/?tag=extension-kb-20

Power supply wise, I only recommend the Corsair CX600 if it's $60 shipped. Otherwise, it's just too pricey. The PC P&C Silencer Mk III are good PSus but I'm not sure whether ot not PC P&C's parent company, OCZ, will actually be surviving in the next few years judging from recent reporst about their serious financial issues. In other words, you may be screwed in terms of support if OCZ dies if you buy that PC P&C PSU.

For your needs, you'll be fine with this Seasonic:
$85 - Seasonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W Modular PSU

I don't recommend that Zalman case. It's too expensive for the quality you're getting. I recommend any of these other cases instead:
$50 - Corsair Carbide Series 200R ATX Case
$75 - Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX Case
$90 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK White Full Tower ATX Case
$100 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$110 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$110 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White ATX Case
$120 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Gunmetal Black ATX Case
$125 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case

 

[Seraphim974]

That Corsair CX600 power supply is $50 on amazon and newegg. So, Russ, if it were me I'd follow Dangman's RAM and case suggestion. Corsair CX600 power supply. The gigabyte motherboard they suggested and decide what kind of graphics capability you may need.

 

[Dangman]

Now that I think about it, that hard drive isn't a good deal either: No free shipping combined with the fact that it performs slower than this cheaper Seagate 1TB makes not worth the money. Sure it's got a longer warranty but the extra cost for just that warranty is 1/3rd the cost of a new drive. Not to mention that a 2TB drive is the same price:
$85 - Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive