So, I want to rebuild the unRAID server to take advantage of the VM capabilities it now offers.  My motherboard is VT-d compatible, but my current Ivy Bridge processor is not.  So, I can replace only the processor, but then I end up with a processor that doesn't have a matching motherboard, so I'll end up buying another motherboard for the current processor.  I'm debating between an i5-3470 as that's the 'cheapest' way to get VT-d support, or buying an i7-3770S as that's got more cores, and might be 'better' or more 'future-proof' by offering more cores/speed.

 

The other option is to upgrade to a Haswell CPU and motherboard, to get a 'better' GPU and more powerful/future-proof CPU.  I've not yet really started researching the Haswell options, but wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions to jump start my research.

 

My intended use-case is as follows.

 

MUST HAVE - unRAID with up to 12 hard drives in the case in my signature.

 

MUST HAVE - VM with JRiver Media Center running on Windows 7, which needs access to my video card, TV Tuner card, and good/solid/fast access to the unRAID array (not really sure how that works yet).  I need this running all the time, and access to this VM thru the network at all times, to replace my current HTPC, for use with the TV in the living room.

 

MUST HAVE - VM with Linux for running SickBeard, SABnzbd, and perhaps Plex and some other programs to extend HTPC and/or Storage functionality.

 

Nice to have - VM with another Windows (or maybe Linux) OS to run another instance of JRiver as a media server for access from other devices.  Actually, if possible, I'd like to run several instances of JRiver in other VM's, but I'm not sure how this would work in practice.  (each instance would serve a different library, for use by different users)

 

Nice to have - VM with Linux distro, mainly as a tool for me to learn Linux.  I'd prefer to have access to this VM from outside my local network, so that I can use/learn while at work.

 

I currently have onboard LAN and an Intel LAN card installed.  I'm not sure how the different machines can access/use the LAN connections, or if I'll need cards for all VM's.

 

I'd like to keep the cost of the new hardware to under $400.

 

My current specs are in my signature.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/guidance/input on my situation!!!

 

VM with Linux

I use the i5 3470 and have for many months, a remarkable chip for the $$$. I run 4/5VMs at any one time, including 2 Windows VMs both used for gaming and XBMC on the host which never suffers.

 

I'd love a couple more cores for compiling but honestly I paid £115 for the chip, such a bargain. Get one. Done.

 

 

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Assuming you don't need integrated video, you could consider the Xeon 1230v2 for an Ivy Bridge processor that's still available.  This will net you similar performance to the i7 for the price (close anyways) of the i5.

When I know I am virtualizing a windows instance with other environments I usually go for the CPU with the largest cache and largest number of cores "within reason".

 

My experience is that when running windows, the larger cache helps. 

Linux can run multiple linux environments pretty well on lower horsepower CPU's.

The Windows on a virtualized instance with only 1 core or low cache can sometimes be frustrating (for me anyway).

 

If I'm using windows in an interactive manner, I usually give it 2 cpu's to begin with so my interactive experience does not frustrate me.

 

According to the requirements in the OP, there will be a number of streamers and decompressors.

You'll probably want the horse power that a few extra threads can operate with.

 

If I had to wait a little longer to budget for the extra horsepower I probably would.

You'll also want an SSD for the virtual machines, however they can run on a spinner for the time being.

The SSD's are getting cheaper and cheaper, so delaying this part of an upgrade might save you a few bucks.

The CPU prices are still close to what I paid over a year ago for the medium to upper range.

I'd like to keep the cost of the new hardware to under $400.

 

Very unrealistic if you want to go with Haswell and an i7 

 

If that's a hard limit, I'd go with the Core i5-3470 ... $180 with the current promo code:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115234

 

That gives you a PassMark of 6573 ... a very respectable amount of CPU power ... for less than half of your budget.

 

But if the budget can be expanded a couple hundred $$, then I'd go with a new Haswell motherboard and a Core i7-4770.

 

 

 

FWIW, I've used this board for a few builds lately -- it's a very nice board and the uATX form factor allows either a lot more "working room" in an ATX case; or allows you to use some nice smaller cases:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131994

 

One really nice feature is the "BIOS Flashback" feature -- this allows a BIOS update WITHOUT a CPU installed !!    A very nice capability if you get a motherboard that has an older BIOS version that doesn't support the CPU you buy 

FWIW, I've used this board for a few builds lately -- it's a very nice board and the uATX form factor allows either a lot more "working room" in an ATX case; or allows you to use some nice smaller cases:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131994

 

One really nice feature is the "BIOS Flashback" feature -- this allows a BIOS update WITHOUT a CPU installed !!    A very nice capability if you get a motherboard that has an older BIOS version that doesn't support the CPU you buy 

 

Have you tried hardware pass-through with that motherboard? I love ASUS boards, but everything I've read indicates they don't support VT-D on many of their motherboards or BIOS.

Have you tried hardware pass-through with that motherboard? I love ASUS boards, but everything I've read indicates they don't support VT-D on many of their motherboards or BIOS.

 

No, I haven't tried it -- I've used the board for a couple of HTPCs and desktops ... not for UnRAID.  The BIOS does have an option to enable/disable both Vt-x and Vt-d, so I'd assume it supports pass-through (why else allow enabling Vt-d?) ... but I can't confirm that.

 

Have you tried hardware pass-through with that motherboard? I love ASUS boards, but everything I've read indicates they don't support VT-D on many of their motherboards or BIOS.

 

No, I haven't tried it -- I've used the board for a couple of HTPCs and desktops ... not for UnRAID.  The BIOS does have an option to enable/disable both Vt-x and Vt-d, so I'd assume it supports pass-through (why else allow enabling Vt-d?) ... but I can't confirm that.

ASUS is notorious for putting options for VT-d in the bios but not properly supporting it.  If you want VT-d I would stay away from ASUS.  My SuperMicro X7SBE had the same problem but they at least fixed the bios so VT-d worked in bios 2.0.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and suggestions.  I ended up going with a Core i5-4440S Quad core processor (lower power usage than the regular i5-4440) and an ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Motherboard.  Both appear to be VT-d capable, and the Haswell was only about $10 more than the Ivy Bridge processor, so it seemed worth it.

 

My total cost for both was 152.99 for the Motherboard (open box on Newegg) with free shipping & 194.29 for the CPU, plus 3.99 for overnight shipping and 16.36 in Tax (Damn Amazon).  So, 367.63 all in.

 

I needed to pull the trigger quickly, as I'm flying back to Austin today and will ride my motorcycle back to Mexico on Thursday, so I didn't have much time.

 

I'm hopeful that by the end of the weekend I'll have everything installed, and can get unRAID v6 running, and confirm that PCI passthru works on this hardware.

 

Then, I'll have to learn how to get all the VM's installed and figure out how to get unRAID to play nice with everything.  Should be fun!

Good choice ... and using an i5 instead of an i7 let you come in under your $400 budget 

 

ASUS is notorious for putting options for VT-d in the bios but not properly supporting it.

 

Good to know ... but disappointing.    One of these days I'll boot ESXi on my board and see if pass-through works.