VMware Cloud Community
Alceryes
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Cheap whitebox recommendation with 16+GB RAM

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a cheap MB/CPU/RAM combo and was wondering if anyone here had any recomendations(?)

My current box is running perfectly but it has an 8GB memory limit. I am looking for cheap, so a Phenom II x4 is not out of the question...

TIA!

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chriswahl
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

You might try the HP N40L (MicroServer). I have a video review here: http://youtu.be/fhyxGFcJ694

It supports 16GB of RAM per this site - http://www.shogan.co.uk/?p=1397

If that's not beefy enough, I have some other builds and information on my home lab collection: http://wahlnetwork.com/home-lab/

VCDX #104 (DCV, NV) ஃ WahlNetwork.com ஃ @ChrisWahl ஃ Author, Networking for VMware Administrators
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sparrowangelste
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

HP n40L is probably one of the better ones, because its small, and not as loud as other "real" servers.

using a server in your room is loud and hot...

--------------------- Sparrowangelstechnology : Vmware lover http://sparrowangelstechnology.blogspot.com
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firestartah
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

I'm using two of the  servers chris has recommended for my home lab for testing and for preparing for my VCAP5 exams and they work amazingly well. Also if you buy them for serverplus (this may be a uk only deal) you can get £100 cash back so the servers are even cheaper and worth it

http://www.serversplus.com/microserver_cashback

Gregg

If you found this or other information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Gregg http://thesaffageek.co.uk
Alceryes
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Thx firestartah - I'd probably still end up in the red for the cost of shipping 'across the pond'.

I'm kinda worried about the CPU though. I'm running 4 server 2008 R2 servers (DC, Exchange 2010, website/ftp, dev) and 1 Windows 7 box on it currently. The servers are only light duty but I'm thinking that just one Exchange 2010 server would crush that chip (especially if you give the VM 2 cpu's).

Anyone have any experience with this chip and 5+ server 2008 VM's? I know I looked at this server when I thought it only supported 8GB's now that it looks like you can throw 16 at it I'm more than interested...

Edit - Thx chriswahl, nice site. I like your MB choice (especially the monitoring capabilities) but that's definitely more than I'd like to spend.

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eeg3
Commander
Commander

The Mac Mini supports up to 16GB of RAM: http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2012/05/thats-so-cool-running-esxi-5-on-apple.html

They're relatively inexpensive, it's hard to beat the size/quietness, and you can run OS X guests legally. Smiley Happy

Blog: http://blog.eeg3.net
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TheITHollow
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

I just built a new SRM Lab (using workstation) on whitebox parts.

List is on my blog.

http://theithollow.com/2012/05/03/poor-mans-srm-lab-whitebox/

There are also diagrams and some setup instructions.

I hope you find the right parts for what you're looking to do.

http://www.theithollow.com
brucekconvergen
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Gregg (Firestartah) :  So everything on the HP box works w/ ESXi 5.x well?  NIC too?  Is the RAID (mirror) on that box available under ESXi, or does it only work with Windows using a host driver?

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krishna_v78
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi,

We also have an option to make a Desktop board as Whitebox. i3/i5/i7 processor with Intel Desktop board which supports 16GB memory with SATA RAID and Intel Gigabit NIC.

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Alceryes
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Thx all, I've got a few suggestions to think about.

I was also looking into an AM3+ MB/Phenom II x4 965/with 16GB (expandable to 32GB) setup that would run me just under $300 shipped.

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Gkeerthy
Expert
Expert

my suggestion for a home lab for studying the VCP and vmaware is below;

1- 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 Processor

http://ark.intel.com/products/65719/Intel-Core-i7-3770-Processor-(8M-Cache-up-to-3_90-GHz)

2- Intel mother board,

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-board-dz77re-75k.ht...

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-board-dz77ga-70k.ht...

3- Seagate 1 TB hdd 4 number, make a RAID 10 in the BIOS using Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST)

and install windows 7, RAID divers you need to copy to a USB, and during install point the drivers. The HDD is SATA 6 and has 64 mb cache and on the mother board 4 sata 6, ports are there and in RAID 10 you will very good speed.

Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD Internal Hard Drive (Model number ST1000DM003)
Key Features of Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD Internal Hard Drive (ST1000DM003)

    3.5 inch Form Factor
    SATA 6.0 Gbps Interface
    64 MB Cache Memory
    7200 RPM Spin Speed
    Average Seek Time - 9.5 ms (Write)
    1 TB HDD
    300000 Load / Unload Cycles

4- Powersupply - Cooler master or Crossair

http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=3738

5- RAM 4 x 4 GB DDR3 1333, kingston or Crossair, if you get 8GB modules that will be fine, so 4 x 8 GB you will get 32 GB the mother board has the capacity

6- Cabinet - Coolermaster minitower or any good one

http://www.coolermaster.com/category.php?category_id=20

7 - Install windows 7 64 bit, vmware worksation 8, and use starwind as an ISCSI software SAN, for the shared storage and it is free you can download.

http://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-iscsi-san-overview

8 - You can install the Vcenter, DNS and Starwind in one VM and you can install ESXi accordingly

Display and keyboard at your wish Smiley Happy

With this similar setup, i have cleared my VCP and compleated the VCAP DCA course.

Please don't forget to award point for 'Correct' or 'Helpful', if you found the comment useful. (vExpert, VCP-Cloud. VCAP5-DCD, VCP4, VCP5, MCSE, MCITP)
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Alceryes
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Thx Gkeerthy, but I'm looking for around $300 for MB/CPU/and RAM - not just CPU.  Smiley Happy

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vmhyperv
Contributor
Contributor

Hi,

Below configurations will work for Desktop board

Intel DZ68DB
INtel 67 OW MotherBoard VT Enabled (DQ67OW)DQ67OW,DQ67SW
Intel® Desktop Board DH67CL
Intel Core i7-2600K Processor and DP67BG Motherboard Review

Intel® Core™ i7-2600S or 2600 Processor
http://ark.intel.com/products/52215/Intel-Core-i7-2600S-Processor-%288M-Cache-up-to-3_80-GHz%29

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1673418

Thanks

vmguy

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