Feedback on Home VM build please

D

Dallows

Supreme [H]ardness
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Jun 18, 2004
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I know there are a bunch of threads like this already, and I have done some research on my own, but it's always nice to get some direct feedback.

My goal is to use VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) and setup a small domain for testing and to help do hands-on work while I go after Windows certifications. So I would be setting up domain controllers, dns, etc.


Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352026
PSU: Seasonic SSR-360GP 360W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151117
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230V3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116906
Mobo: SuperMicro MDB-X10SLL-F-O http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182819
RAM: Kingston 16GB(2x8) ECC Unbuffered http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139979
HDD: WD WD10EZEX 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 (undecided on this, want to keep things cool & quiet though) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181030


I know maxing out the RAM would be best, but 32GB is just too expensive right now. Thanks for looking.
 
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When I was considering building another box similar to what I have, you basically came up with the same build I did.
 
Looks mostly good to me. Very similar to my setup. Some thoughts/recommendations:

Case: Unless you're planning a NAS AIO setup do you think you'll need that much space for HDDs? The Core 1000 is smaller and cheaper. This is a very subjective choice, though.

Mainboard: Get the X10SLL+-F instead. It's a few dollars more, but both NICs are natively supported in ESXi. This is the board I have.

RAM: Over on the FreeNAS forums some have been reporting issues with running the Kingstons in all four slots. This could bite you if you ever upgrade in the future. I went with four of the Samsungs on Supermicro's HCL and so far no issues.

HDD: If you can swing an SSD go for it. Performance will be so much better. I like the Crucials for this, and put a M500 240GB in mine.

CPU cooler: Absolutely no need for a water-based unit. They're really not any quieter and since you're not overclocking you gain none of the possible benefits it might offer there. Save some money here and just go with the stock cooler. It's really not that loud under most loads. If it does turn out to be inadequate somehow, go with a simple air-cooled tower (e.g., the Coolermaster 212).
 
Thanks, appreciate the input.

BlueLineSwinger said:
Case: Unless you're planning a NAS AIO setup do you think you'll need that much space for HDDs? The Core 1000 is smaller and cheaper. This is a very subjective choice, though.
Click to expand...

Yeah the Core 1000 is a bit cheaper, but I really like the side-facing HDD trays, lol.

Mainboard: Get the X10SLL+-F instead. It's a few dollars more, but both NICs are natively supported in ESXi. This is the board I have.
Click to expand...
Thanks, it's not much more so I can make this change.

RAM: Over on the FreeNAS forums some have been reporting issues with running the Kingstons in all four slots. This could bite you if you ever upgrade in the future. I went with four of the Samsungs on Supermicro's HCL and so far no issues.
Click to expand...

Hm, kinda want to keep everything within Newegg. I could try Crucial, it's a little more, but if it avoids issues down the line it's worth it.

HDD: If you can swing an SSD go for it. Performance will be so much better. I like the Crucials for this, and put a M500 240GB in mine.
Click to expand...
I'm not super concerned about performance since the main function will be testing and practice type work while I study. I'll also need the space for more guest machines.

CPU cooler: Absolutely no need for a water-based unit. They're really not any quieter and since you're not overclocking you gain none of the possible benefits it might offer there. Save some money here and just go with the stock cooler. It's really not that loud under most loads. If it does turn out to be inadequate somehow, go with a simple air-cooled tower (e.g., the Coolermaster 212).
Click to expand...
Yeah I kinda thought that. I mean the Coolermaster 212 is pretty cheap, but every bit helps. I can see how it rolls with just the stock cooler.

Thanks again.
 
I am looking into building the same system (two of them actually).

What power supply are you planning on using? I am looking at the Seasonic Power Supply SSR-360GP ATX 12 v.2.31 360W 80PLUS Gold.

Do you think 360w will be enough? I won't have any drives in my build. Just 4 Intel Nic's and a USB stick.
 
360w is more than enough. I pull maybe 80 watts max power when hitting my host hard. I idle at 38W.
 
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