Sorry another spec check for a HTPC with a VM

robomonkey

robomonkey

robomonkey

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Joined
9 Jan 2007
Posts
14
Hi

Can anyone spot problems i might encounter with this setup, i intend to install XP Pro and run as a near silent HTPC, no overclocking, but i will also be running a virtual small business server on it, hence the ton of memory:eek:

Asus P5N-E SLi nForce 650 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-221-AS

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-161-IN

OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 (OCZ2G8004GK)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-086-OC

Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler (Socket AM2/LGA775)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-039-TR

I'm concerned about the memory, I'll be running XP x86, and not sure if 4gb will be picked up, and so unsure if I should get 2gb of 8500, i just see a lot of you chaps with Q6600's and 6400 memory :confused:

Also wondering if the mobo is any good?

Many, many thanks in advance
 
I've been reading the motherboard forum and am now also wondering if the mobo is the right choice, my requirements are:-
- Dual Gigabit Lan
- 2 Basic PCI slots for TV cards
- 1 PCI-E 16 for HDMI GPU (will never need SLI)
- 2 SATA2 ports
- Fanless design
- and ideally sp\dif header pins internally for the GPU

Again thanks for any help
 
The problem with VM's is that they do not support multi-processors in the Guest OS. So although you may have quad core, only one core will be available to your guest OS when it is installed.

If you go for 4Gb RAM, get Vista 64bit, and install Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1. Its free, and does a good job of allowing you to manage VM's. Virtual PC 2007 is easier, but I can't remember whether it supports server based Guest OS'es or not. Worth reading up.

I've tried Virtual Box, VMWare and Virtual PC/Server, and for me at least the MS solution was the easiest to figure out and use. I've got a Vista 64 laptop with an XP 32bit guest on it (since our VPN software doesn't yet support V64) and it works a treat, and thats with 2Gb ram (soon to be 4)
 
I'm currently using an Athlon XP300+ with 1.5gb ram, which actually works surprisingly well, but any upgrade will be most welcome.

My SBS server is currently running on VMware workstation 5.5, which does seem to support multiple cores, assuming I can set the affinity to run the vmware executable.

I've ordered the IP35 Pro, so will be installing this over the weekend, happy now I've made a decision, just hope its the right one.
 
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