I'm hoping to build a new box for home which would have many requirements.
Firstly I'd like to use VMWare Server or ESX for multiple VM's on it as my desktop is struggling to run DC's/Exchange/WSUS on 4GB. I fear very much if I try to put a couple o' citrix boxes and clients too. The whole idea of this is to help me finish my MCSE/general sys admin tinkering
Also, in my old age (and maybe working as Sys admin) I've become quite paranoid about data and back everything up mercilessly to 2 x WD 500GB NAS boxes through scripted tasks or Acronis
I was thinking of building something along the lines of...
-Q6600 (Prob SLACR, as it has 4 cores for little cache (geddit?))
-2 x 4GB OcUK value ddr2-800 kits
-Maybe MSI Neo2-FR (as it supports RAID 5 and 8GB RAM)
-4 x 640GB drives (in raid 5, giving be nearly 2TB storage
)
-random quality 500w PSU (Antec/Enermax, whatever is cheapest (suggestions?))
This would also mean my router will have to go as not only has it become unreliable but it only has 4 x 100Mb and I'd now need 5 or more ports preferable Gb
What would be the cheapest/sensible way to have say 8 x Gb, Wireless(not fussed what speed) and cable/adsl routing? I can't seem to find one box to do it all.
Would the above system run ESX? Would I be able to get drivers for it, especially the RAID5?
Am I just plain nuts going for software RAID 5?
Just as a footnote, I doubt very much I'll be overclocking this system (but of course it will be tempting
)
All suggestion to the many Q's welcome
Firstly I'd like to use VMWare Server or ESX for multiple VM's on it as my desktop is struggling to run DC's/Exchange/WSUS on 4GB. I fear very much if I try to put a couple o' citrix boxes and clients too. The whole idea of this is to help me finish my MCSE/general sys admin tinkering
Also, in my old age (and maybe working as Sys admin) I've become quite paranoid about data and back everything up mercilessly to 2 x WD 500GB NAS boxes through scripted tasks or Acronis
I was thinking of building something along the lines of...
-Q6600 (Prob SLACR, as it has 4 cores for little cache (geddit?))
-2 x 4GB OcUK value ddr2-800 kits
-Maybe MSI Neo2-FR (as it supports RAID 5 and 8GB RAM)
-4 x 640GB drives (in raid 5, giving be nearly 2TB storage

-random quality 500w PSU (Antec/Enermax, whatever is cheapest (suggestions?))
This would also mean my router will have to go as not only has it become unreliable but it only has 4 x 100Mb and I'd now need 5 or more ports preferable Gb
What would be the cheapest/sensible way to have say 8 x Gb, Wireless(not fussed what speed) and cable/adsl routing? I can't seem to find one box to do it all.
Would the above system run ESX? Would I be able to get drivers for it, especially the RAID5?
Am I just plain nuts going for software RAID 5?
Just as a footnote, I doubt very much I'll be overclocking this system (but of course it will be tempting

All suggestion to the many Q's welcome