[ale] [OT] Monster PC < $500

Tue Oct 28 14:59:47 EDT 2008

Jerry,

I have not yet worked with ESX, but it is a $3K product, whereas
VMWare Server is basically free.  I hope there is some significant
advantage.

Actually, for my case it does not matter.  My client is running ESX
and my software has to be tested in that environment.  Not any
flexibility on my part.

Greg

2008/10/28 Jerry Yu <jjj863 at gmail.com>:
> 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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