Hi all
I am looking to build a SFF ITX system that will act as a server and be dedicated to running as a Type 1 hyper visor solely for learning purposes.
Although I want it to be able to run multiple VM's at once the applications will not be under heavy load i.e. servicing a production environment and will only be for testing deployment, fail-over and trialing software etc.
I currently achieve this using Virtual Box on my i5 2500K, 16GB of ram which seems to be capable but there are limitations and I'd like to build a system to dedicate to this.
I am also contemplating building a new PC (and selling the current one as a whole) and so would preferably like to try and scrape together 2nd hand parts for this ITX system.
It will need to be capable of running Windows Server 2012 R2, ESXI etc
Firstly, I assume ITX motherboards support Virtualisation?
Secondly, what do you recommend for the components?
I already have a 250GB Samsung Evo 840 SSD I can use for the main drive, also have a 1TB 2.5" SSHD for the VM's
No GFX card will be required hopefully I can just use the IGPU on the Intel chip
I think I should get 16GB memory - most ITX boards have 2 slots so 2x8GB
CPU, would another i5 2500K be adequate? or would an I7 with hyperthreading be preferable?
I would be happy with any Intel generation i.e. Sandybridge, IvyBridge, Haswell, maybe Skylake as long as it is up to the job but I might struggle on waiting for something to crop up on the Members Market with an ITX motherboard.
I am not sure if I require an overclocking K series CPU but it is always nice to know there's headroom to provide additional speed if things are not performing as expected.
PSU, I don't think a high wattage PSU is required without a dedicated GFX card what Watt would you recommend?
Case, I am happy to buy this brand new and I have been looking at the ITX Lian Li cases on the OCUK website particularly the Lian Li PC-Q25B Mini-ITX Cube but it is out of stock and I don't think it will be coming back in as it an older model. I understand these cases are really small but I am not liking the PSU placement on a lot of these Lian Li cases as it is directly in front of the motherboard and is less manageable. I like having a hybrid water CPU cooler too but many of these cases do not have a 120mm fan mount and thus would have to go for a normal cooler, any opinions?
Low power requirement is also welcome but not a deal breaker as the system will not be on 247
Budget wise i was hoping to get necessary components for ~£300
Thanks in advance
I am looking to build a SFF ITX system that will act as a server and be dedicated to running as a Type 1 hyper visor solely for learning purposes.
Although I want it to be able to run multiple VM's at once the applications will not be under heavy load i.e. servicing a production environment and will only be for testing deployment, fail-over and trialing software etc.
I currently achieve this using Virtual Box on my i5 2500K, 16GB of ram which seems to be capable but there are limitations and I'd like to build a system to dedicate to this.
I am also contemplating building a new PC (and selling the current one as a whole) and so would preferably like to try and scrape together 2nd hand parts for this ITX system.
It will need to be capable of running Windows Server 2012 R2, ESXI etc
Firstly, I assume ITX motherboards support Virtualisation?
Secondly, what do you recommend for the components?
I already have a 250GB Samsung Evo 840 SSD I can use for the main drive, also have a 1TB 2.5" SSHD for the VM's
No GFX card will be required hopefully I can just use the IGPU on the Intel chip
I think I should get 16GB memory - most ITX boards have 2 slots so 2x8GB
CPU, would another i5 2500K be adequate? or would an I7 with hyperthreading be preferable?
I would be happy with any Intel generation i.e. Sandybridge, IvyBridge, Haswell, maybe Skylake as long as it is up to the job but I might struggle on waiting for something to crop up on the Members Market with an ITX motherboard.
I am not sure if I require an overclocking K series CPU but it is always nice to know there's headroom to provide additional speed if things are not performing as expected.
PSU, I don't think a high wattage PSU is required without a dedicated GFX card what Watt would you recommend?
Case, I am happy to buy this brand new and I have been looking at the ITX Lian Li cases on the OCUK website particularly the Lian Li PC-Q25B Mini-ITX Cube but it is out of stock and I don't think it will be coming back in as it an older model. I understand these cases are really small but I am not liking the PSU placement on a lot of these Lian Li cases as it is directly in front of the motherboard and is less manageable. I like having a hybrid water CPU cooler too but many of these cases do not have a 120mm fan mount and thus would have to go for a normal cooler, any opinions?
Low power requirement is also welcome but not a deal breaker as the system will not be on 247
Budget wise i was hoping to get necessary components for ~£300
Thanks in advance
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