I want to build a new ESXi server,  I currently a HP Microserver NL36.

 

I really like Lian-Li PC-Q25B Mini ITX Tower Case, so here the spec:

 

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4570S 2.90GHz Low Power (Haswell) Socket LGA1150

Case: Lian Li PC-Q25B Mini-ITX Cube - Black

Motherboard:  Asus H87I-PLUS mini-ITX Socket 1150 Motherboard

Memory:  Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333

 

Which Sata Cables do you suggest and length size?

 

Will move HDDs (Samsung 2TB HD204UI) from HP Microserver NL36 to a new build.

 

It must be really quiet as possible.

 

Hows the spec looking?

The P8H77-I is a socket 1155 motherboard -- the i5-4570S is a socket 1150 CPU 

 

You need to use a Socket 1150 motherboard, like the new Asus H871-Plus

 

I'd also get an SFX power supply for that case -- this is what I use:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256063

As for the SATA cables => wait until you get your case and motherboard; then measure the best length.    There are different versions of the PC-Q25B ... some require "left-hand" cables to fit the SATA cables in the "cleanest" way;  others do not.    If you need left-hand cables, here's a good source (they're hard to find):  http://www.cpustuff.com/left-angle-to-straight-sata-cable/

The P8H77-I is a socket 1155 motherboard -- the i5-4570S is a socket 1150 CPU 

 

You need to use a Socket 1150 motherboard, like the new Asus H871-Plus

 

I'd also get an SFX power supply for that case -- this is what I use:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256063

 

That link does direct to Asus H87I-PLUS mini-ITX Socket 1150 Motherboard  page but look like I accidentally copy and paste the text wrong, I've fixed it

 

I am not sure if I am keen with SFX power supply - what the noise level like?

 

I want silence power supply,  I am considering Corsair CP-9020058-UK CXM Builder series 430W http://www.scan.co.uk/products/430w-corsair-cxm-builder-series-hybrid-modular-85-eff-80-plus-bronze-eps-12v-atx

 

This is a far better choice for the Q25B => an ATX unit is VERY crowded ... not only making cable management more difficult, but also allowing less airflow (and thus poorer cooling.

 

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/450w-silverstone-strider-st45sf-80plus-bronze-85-eff-80mm-quiet-fan-sfx-eps-12v

 

It's VERY quiet => my Q25B is on a shelf behind me -- it's perhaps 6' from my ears when I'm sitting at my desk, and I have to look at it to tell if it's on as I can't hear it at all.

 

I've been also looking at these style systems with the Lian-Li PC-Q25B with the help of this, garycase's other thread, and the many more threads here on the topic. 

 

This one sparked my interest because I had been trying to decide if it was possible to go down the ESXI route with that setup.  From my looking around I was able to determine that the Asus H87I uses the I217 Network Controller, which requires additional work to get working in ESXI 

 

(The amount of work I haven't been able to fully grasp, most sites simply state that the Network Adapter does not work, but a few mention a patching procedure which I haven't fully read up on.)

 

Additionally while the motherboard supports VT-d as confirmed by the manual, I haven't been able to determine if it will pass through the onboard SATA ports, or if it can only pass through an pcie SATA controller.

 

For me, it's the difference between building the box with a Pentium G3220T or the i5 you mention.  If the i5 is all that is necessary to go down the ESXi route I may do that, but if you also need to add a PCIE SATA board just to get 6 drives working under ESXi, I'll just grab the Pentium as going down the ESXi route may not be worth it for me.

 

I'm just curious if you've been able to confirm that the Network adapter and the SATA ports work under ESXi

 

Additionally while the motherboard supports VT-d as confirmed by the manual, I haven't been able to determine if it will pass through the onboard SATA ports, or if it can only pass through an pcie SATA controller.

The usual method is to pass through a PCIe card.  You have to have a datastore drive in ESXi so they are usually connected to MB port(s).  With the newer MBs that means that all the built in SATA ports are lumped together so you either pass them all or none of them.  Now if the MB had separate chips for the SATA ports then you can split them.  If it were to have 14 SATA ports built in for instance then you would likely be able to pass through 8 of them leaving 6 for datastore drives.

If I was going to build a PC-Q25B ESXi system, I'd probably use this board:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157467

with a v3 E1200 series Xeon, and an add-in controller to pass-through the UnRAID disks.  You could have a 6-disk UnRAID system and still have 2 disks available for the datastore (either a pair of 2.5" drives or one 3.5 and one 2.5)

 

 

Thanks, I was leaning for a more simple build, as it would be my first unRAID box, I just didn't want to be in a situation where if I had just purchased one different component from the start it would let me do ESXi in the future.  So I was going down that rabbit hole trying to determine if I should do something different at the start.

 

I'll probably just keep it simple.

Which mini-ITX Socket 1150 Motherboard will be compatible with ESXi?

 

It seem Intel I210 and  I217 Network Controller will not work on ESXi.