Virtualization Build

[marcus2704]

I have the following components -

Gigabyte H7M-D3H
I5 4690K @ Stock
32GB Memory
Various SSD/SATA drives

I want to expand my VMware virtualization lab which is constrained by having 32GB of memory. This sounds a lot, but by the time you add a few Exchange serves, DCs and VCentre it rapidly uses over 90% of memory.

This is my main PC, and my VMware lab runs under VMware workstation.

I would like to increase my RAM to 64GB, as 16GB DIMMS are so expensive the best option I think would be to buy a new motherboard.

I am after recommendations as to motherboards with up to 8 DIMM slots.

ALso, am I right in thinking that my I5 would be no good for a motherboard of that type?

 

[dacads]

Z97 is limited to 32GB RAM unfortunately, for 64GB you will need to look at a new CPU and X99 chipset motherboard.

 

[marcus2704]

Z97 is limited to 32GB RAM unfortunately, for 64GB you will need to look at a new CPU and X99 chipset motherboard.

Megabucks :/

It would probably be better me repurposing an older PC, I did want to reduce my hardware and not add to it though!

Thanks for your post

 

[rtho782]

You could possibly pick up an older x58 or x79 board for less cash if money is the issue.

x58 would allow 48GB ram, x79 64gb.