Hi All

 

Looking top build a virtual server for my rack, have 12 bay chassis that takes microATX. want to virtualize unRaid (backups and media streaming for 2 users), HTPC, SQL Server (*very* light  use), test VM's (one at a time, very light use).

 

I'm clueless about Xeon and how they compare to Core I CPU's. I need a MB with HDMI; although I could get a graphics car with GPU and HDMI if needed.

 

Should I go with Xeon or Core i5/7 - seems vt-d is critical

 

TIA

 

Mark

Looks like you need PCI device pass through function, it's more depended on MB vt-d enablement, most i5 CPU comes with vt-x and vt-d enabled.

Yes, VT-d is mandatory if you are looking to do device pass through (which you will want to do for unRaid). Both the CPU and motherboard have to be VT-d capable.

 

For what you are looking to do an i5/i7 is plenty enough IMO, but perhaps some of the big virtualizers here can offer an opinion as to why a Xeon may be a better solution.

I'm also thinking of building a virt system (maybe run with XenServer or ESXi), Xeon is my first preference (such as E3-1230 v2, so Q77, C20x mobo required), my problem is i must need a Mobo with 2 onboard Intel or Broadcom gigabit NIC, and must have at least 2 PCI slots (one for video card, one for storage card, both will be passed through to VM) . Can anyone recommend such kind of mobo? Thanks!

I'm also thinking of building a virt system (maybe run with XenServer or ESXi), Xeon is my first preference (such as E3-1230 v2, so Q77, C20x mobo required), my problem is i must need a Mobo with 2 onboard Intel or Broadcom gigabit NIC, and must have at least 2 PCI slots (one for video card, one for storage card, both will be passed through to VM) . Can anyone recommend such kind of mobo? Thanks!

You might consider the SuperMicro X9SCA-F which is the ATX version of the X9SCM-IIF and has added 3 PCI slots.  You will probably be limited to passing through ALL the PCI slots to the SAME VM.  The PCIe slots can be separated but when I tried the PCI slots on my X7SBE I had to use the same VM.

I'd definitely use a Xeon E3-1200 series CPU.  Either a v2 Ivy Bridge version with the x9scm-iif, or a v3 Haswell chip with the x10sl7-f board.

 

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/xeon/c202_c204/x9scm-iif.cfm

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C220/X10SL7-F.cfm

 

This lets you use ECC RAM (still, unfortunately, unbuffered), which is important when you're installing a lot of RAM, which you'll likely want to do.    I'd install 2 8GB modules at first, and see if 16GB is enough for what you're doing with the system.  Two modules will run more reliably than 4 => although with ECC RAM 4 will be very reliable as well, since single-bit errors will auto-correct.

 

 

I'd definitely use a Xeon E3-1200 series CPU.  Either a v2 Ivy Bridge version with the x9scm-iif, or a v3 Haswell chip with the x10sl7-f board.

 

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/xeon/c202_c204/x9scm-iif.cfm

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C220/X10SL7-F.cfm

 

This lets you use ECC RAM (still, unfortunately, unbuffered), which is important when you're installing a lot of RAM, which you'll likely want to do.    I'd install 2 8GB modules at first, and see if 16GB is enough for what you're doing with the system.  Two modules will run more reliably than 4 => although with ECC RAM 4 will be very reliable as well, since single-bit errors will auto-correct.

If that was in response to joace's post he wants 2 PCI slots neither of those boards have 2 PCI slots.  That's why I suggested the X9SCA-F since it has 3 PCI and 3 PCIe and is ATX instead of the X9SCM-iiF which has 4 PCIe.

Actually I was commenting on the original question => in fact I almost noted that you had suggested an ATX board when the author clearly indicated it had to be uATX ... but then I realized you were replying to joace's question and not to the OP.    ... and of course for those needs, the ATX board you suggested is a good choice.

 

I should have quoted the original question I suppose => that's one of the perils of mixing questions in the same thread.

 

Actually I was commenting on the original question => in fact I almost noted that you had suggested an ATX board when the author clearly indicated it had to be uATX ... but then I realized you were replying to joace's question and not to the OP.    ... and of course for those needs, the ATX board you suggested is a good choice.

 

I should have quoted the original question I suppose => that's one of the perils of mixing questions in the same thread.

No problem (at least for me) just making sure since it came immediately after mine.

Thanks Bob and Gary for your kindly recommendation! Sorry for my confusing request, actually PCIe is OK for me, as most video cards and storage cards are PCIe modeled. And i already have some DDR3 1333 4GB and 8GB Reg ECC DIMM in my hands, not sure the mobo you suggested support them, after checking the spec (all suggested supermicro mobo), only found ECC UDIMM, anyone running with Reg ECC?

You need a higher-end server board to support registered RAM.  That's actually a better way to go, as buffered RAM is notably more reliable than the typical unbuffered desktop modules;  but it's significantly more expensive to build with that quality of equipment.