No problems here installing from CD using ICH9R on a DP35DP (intel) or a GA-EP35-DS3L (gigabyte). We also did the same on a P5K series board at work, and it was fine.

ESXi has a requirement for 2 cores?

I don't think that is correct.  Keep in mind every physical box I have installed it on, has had either multiple processors, hyperthreading, or multi-core technology.

Given that I have had success with several boxes running ESX 3.5 that only had a single core and didn't have hyperthreading, and I would assume the same would be true for ESXi.

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

I agree with the standard "supported" clause.

And I've been to the courses... I'm one of the first 2500 VCP's.

I would argue, that the "requirement" for multiple cores, is somewhat contradictory of their Single Processor Licensing Policy.

It states:

Effective immediately, customers may install VMware ESX and VI licenses on

single processor, physical hosts that are included on our Hardware Compatibility List (HCL).

This includes servers with two sockets that are populated with a single processor.

Each processor may contain up to four cores.

That being said, I wouldn't say, that it is a limitation to have multiple processors, or multiple cores for that matter.

I understand that it wouldn't be an option to run a multi-vcpu guest with a host configured in such a way.

All I'm trying to state, is... You don't have to have more than one core for ESXi to operate.

Respectfully,

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

Updated: Scratch that... What I meant to say was... "Supported" often times does not include everything that will successfully work.

I would also agree, that technical courses (VMware, Microsoft, Citrix, etc) often times are "100% by the book," and don't allow for deviation, per the directives of the product vendor.

Kind of like when I used to moonlight as an instructor, or even my military career.... "The book says this works.... And if you want to know what else works.... See me after class."

I think we are on the same page... And don't let the crusty old forum guys (who haven't had their coffee, and are having to work on the weekend) spoil your experience on the forum.

Cheers,

Jase

And, my sincerest apologies to the OP for hijacking this thread.

You should be OK to just swap the CPU.  You will want to enable Intel VT in the BIOS should you plan to run x64 VMs.

Licensing is per CPU slot so you'll be fine in that regard.

vanderpool technology = VT. this is the intel virtualisation which is being discussed.

hyper-threading is the ability to use unused cycles in an existing cpu thread. this will not exist in your new CPU. only one range of Xeon Dual Core CPU's in production now still has hyperthreading. it's non-existant in any of the dual core, core2 duo and core2 quad product.

as long as the CPU is compatible with your motherboard, you should have no problems with this CPU and ESXi.