Require some help spec'ing a box - 64bit
20 May 2009, 02:52 PM
#1
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Require some help spec'ing a box - 64bit
I want to find out how cheap I could get a 64bit base unit for loaded with RAM. It is for putting vmware workstation on and running a virtual esx virtual infrastructure for testing/learning purposes. Don't care on the 64bit Windows OS, can be XP, Vista whatever really as long as I can put vmware workstation on it.
I don't need a monitor/keyboard/mouse etc or any flashy video card. It just has to be able to have enough ram and powerfull enough cpu to run lots of vms on which any of my pc's at home just can't do when limited to 4gb or under.
Looked on Dell briefly but nothing jumped out at me. Am I looking at a lot more money for 64bit than your bog standard 32bit boxes?
I don't need a monitor/keyboard/mouse etc or any flashy video card. It just has to be able to have enough ram and powerfull enough cpu to run lots of vms on which any of my pc's at home just can't do when limited to 4gb or under.
Looked on Dell briefly but nothing jumped out at me. Am I looking at a lot more money for 64bit than your bog standard 32bit boxes?
20 May 2009, 02:55 PM
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Any modern dual/quad core processor can run a 64 bit operating system. So any normal old base unit should do (they tend to charge more for the 64 bit os)...
20 May 2009, 02:59 PM
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Might need a bit of digging now but you could pick up a HP ProLiant ML115 quad core Opteron for around £200+VAT. Stuff in 8GB RAM and it's neat little VM test machine.
You can also boot ESXi from a USB memory stick on an internal port - Techhead. Ours has been running a treat like that. Once ESXi is on your network, everything is done via the VMWare Infrastructure Client.
You can also boot ESXi from a USB memory stick on an internal port - Techhead. Ours has been running a treat like that. Once ESXi is on your network, everything is done via the VMWare Infrastructure Client.
Last edited by ChrisB; 20 May 2009 at 03:00 PM.
20 May 2009, 03:09 PM
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Cheers Chris, that would be ideal if that deal still exists anywhere!?
In fact found it on ebuyer for £249
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160329
So need to add on 8gb of RAM to that so will go looking to see how much that will cost...
Edit found this http://www.serversplus.com/product.a...-035#prod_spec and also apparently 8gb from crucial will be about £80
In fact found it on ebuyer for £249
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160329
So need to add on 8gb of RAM to that so will go looking to see how much that will cost...
Edit found this http://www.serversplus.com/product.a...-035#prod_spec and also apparently 8gb from crucial will be about £80
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 20 May 2009 at 03:49 PM.
20 May 2009, 03:55 PM
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You can also boot ESXi from a USB memory stick on an internal port - Techhead. Ours has been running a treat like that. Once ESXi is on your network, everything is done via the VMWare Infrastructure Client.
I've tried to get an area on works infrastructure for testing but no chance at the moment, it's all utilized and no space for me to have a play ground and could be waiting ages until that changes.
20 May 2009, 04:54 PM
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I've stuffed 4 sticks of this Kingston part in our ML115 : KTH-XW4400E6/2G
Was £23+VAT per stick from our trade distributor. I don't think the on-board RAID in the ML115 is supported by ESXi, but I've not tried it as we've just stuffed an extra HD in for more space for VMs and nothing important runs on it.
VMWare have this knowledge base article which compares ESX and ESXi. This is another nice comparision.
Was £23+VAT per stick from our trade distributor. I don't think the on-board RAID in the ML115 is supported by ESXi, but I've not tried it as we've just stuffed an extra HD in for more space for VMs and nothing important runs on it.
VMWare have this knowledge base article which compares ESX and ESXi. This is another nice comparision.
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20 May 2009, 05:17 PM
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Just ordered it from here Hewlett Packard 470065-018 - HP ProLiant ML115 G5 Opteron 1352 (2.1 GHz 2Mb) Quad Core SATA DVD Server
£230 with vat and next day delivery (will be Friday now)
Overclockers 8gb is £65 delivered so quad core server with 8gb ram for less than £300
£230 with vat and next day delivery (will be Friday now)
Overclockers 8gb is £65 delivered so quad core server with 8gb ram for less than £300
20 May 2009, 05:23 PM
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Cheers Chris will have a read. Couldn't resist the OC memory at that price just hope its good, reviews for it were good.
Should all be turning up Friday and get cracking with setting it all up. Hope to work towards getting vcp as i've done the 3.5 course and this setup should help - well that's what i'm telling the wife anyway who isn't best pleased
Should all be turning up Friday and get cracking with setting it all up. Hope to work towards getting vcp as i've done the 3.5 course and this setup should help - well that's what i'm telling the wife anyway who isn't best pleased
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 20 May 2009 at 05:24 PM.
20 May 2009, 06:33 PM
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The other issue I found when looking is that most of the cheap dual/quad core desktops are limited to 4gb on the motherboard so no real point of running a 64 bit os on them. I couldn't beat that proliant looking on Dell etc.
20 May 2009, 07:22 PM
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That seems an incredible price!
One thing has got me scratching my head though, it says "Internal mass storage
Maximum 3.0 TB (4 x 750 GB) SATA" is there a reason why you couldn't put in 4 x 2tb drives?
One thing has got me scratching my head though, it says "Internal mass storage
Maximum 3.0 TB (4 x 750 GB) SATA" is there a reason why you couldn't put in 4 x 2tb drives?
20 May 2009, 09:24 PM
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The other thing is the ML115 is pretty quiet once booted. Pretty loud during the POST but once ticking away it's not bad at all.
20 May 2009, 10:29 PM
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Cheers Chris, I thought it their might of been a restriction hardware wise, which I was unaware of, your answer actually covers a whole load of other sites i am looking at.........
22 May 2009, 11:41 AM
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Right never use that company i've put above - Techstore. I phoned them as the order still said on the website as ready for dispatch. They gave some boll0cks about still waiting for my credit card company to authorise it and that they emailed them and haven't had a reply. Order cancelled.
Now need to find it somewhere else
Now need to find it somewhere else
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 22 May 2009 at 01:02 PM.
So if anyone wants one get on ebuyer for a look.
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