[ale] [OT] Monster PC < $500

Jerry Yu jjj863 at gmail.com
Tue Oct 28 14:37:50 EDT 2008


would such customization justify loss of hardware compatibility and such
(i.e., ESX versus stock RHEL or CentOS + VMWare Server )?


On Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 2:24 PM, Shane McKinley <shane at hemc.coop> wrote:

> I didn't know whether it was safe to say ESX would load the same
> hardware that *linux* would load or not...I am sure they have done some
> customiztion to the kernel...
>
> Shane
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff Hubbs [mailto:hbbs at comcast.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 2:20 PM
> To: ale at ale.org
> Subject: Re: [ale] [OT] Monster PC < $500
>
> VMware ESX basically *is* a Linux distribution, so you're constrained in
> several ways especially with hardware...you aren't going to be able to
> use some device just because its module just made it into the tree on
> kernel.org.
>
> JK wrote:
> > Shane McKinley wrote:
> >
> >> Do you really want to run production virtualization on a custom built
>
> >> PC?
> >>
> >
> >
> > This is for development and test, not production. And learning -- it's
>
> > been a long while since I built a PC (last one was a 700Mhz Celeron, I
>
> > think), and I want to get some experience with virtualization. But
> > assuming I can make it work, it will allow me to eliminate or
> > repurpose several other dedicated boxen on my home LAN.
> >
> >
> >
> >> I have always had good luck with Gigabyte boards.
> >>
> >> Everyone knows that AMDs are reliable (for the most part).
> >>
> >> Never tried OCZ memory, but the faster the memory seems like the more
>
> >> probable you will have a compatibility issue, unless specifically
> >> stated by motherboard manufacturer that they support the specific
> memory.
> >>
> >
> >
> > That MB supports 1066 memory.  Memory confuses me; can I use slower
> > RAM on a MB whose specs state that 1066 is supported?
> > (Though all other things being equal, faster is better.)
> >
> >
> >
> >> I bought this case like 4 times and I love it:
> >>
> >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
> >>
> >> Here is a 580W for $20:
> >>
> >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817709011
> >>
> >
> >
> > Ah hah.  Thanks for the pointer.
> >
> >
> >
> >> Can't go wrong with the hard drive.
> >>
> >> Overall, I would worry about being able to load ESX on this machine.
> >>
> >
> >
> > Why exactly?
> >
> >
> >
> >> (Does Xen even do Windows yet?)
> >>
> >> Where is your DVD-ROM?
> >>
> >
> >
> > Knew I was forgetting something... Thanks.
> >
> >
> > -- JK
> >
> >
> >
> >> Shane
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: JK [mailto:jknapka at kneuro.net]
> >> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 1:24 PM
> >> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
> >> Subject: [ale] [OT] Monster PC < $500
> >>
> >> [Marked OT because not directly Linux-relevant, although Linux will
> >> certainly be run on this machine.]
> >>
> >> Hi everyone,
> >>
> >> I'm looking at putting together a machine to run some virtualized
> >> servers (maybe under Xen, maybe VMWare, maybe something else; haven't
>
> >> decided yet).  I've put together a parts list for a 2.3Ghz quad-core
> >> Phenom/8GB RAM/250GB HD machine from newegg.com, totalling $465.
> >> Does that seem reasonable, or am I (a) paying too much for something,
>
> >> or
> >> (b) lowballing something critical?  I'm especially concerned about
> >> cooling; I've actually never built a machine before where heat
> >> dissipation was at all an issue, and cheap stock fans have always
> >> worked fine for me. I suspect that won't be the case with a CPU that
> >> draws 165W. (At least I won't have to run my heater as much this
> >> winter.)
> >>
> >> I'd like to be able to run four virtual machines each equivalent to
> >> perhaps a 500Mhz P3 with 1GB RAM or thereabouts.
> >> Exact performance is negotiable.
> >>
> >> Here's the list. I may invest in another HD for RAID, but for now I'm
>
> >> trying to stay under $500:
> >>
> >>
> >> MB      $ 85   GIGABYTE GA-MA78G-DS3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD
> >> Motherboard (this board has 4 DDR2 slots and accepts up to 16GB)
> >>
> >> CPU     $120   AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core
>
> >> Processor Model HD960ZWCGDBOX - Retail
> >>
> >> RAM     $130   2 x OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2
>
> >> 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK -
> >> Retail ($65 per 2x2GB kit)
> >>
> >> Fan     $ 40   COOLER MASTER GeminII S RR-CCH-PBU1-GP 120mm Sleeve
> CPU
> >> Cooler - Retail (or comparable)
> >>
> >> Case    $ 35   Linkworld 3230-18 c2228u Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
> >> Computer Case 430W Power Supply - Retail (Is 430W sufficient for this
>
> >> rig? The CPU draws 165W alone, but I think it's the most power-hungry
> >> component.)
> >>
> >> HD      $ 55   Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM
> >> SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
> >> ------------
> >>          $465
> >>
> >>
> >> Any opinions appreciated.
> >>
> >> -- JK
> >>
> >> --
> >> I do not particularly want to go where the money is -
> >>   it usually does not smell nice there. -- A. Stepanov
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> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>
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