PC build for multi-tasking and VM's
Discussion
Howdy all,
I want to build a desktop PC primarily for running VM's. I've never built a PC before, and I don't have as much interest in computers as I used to, I used to be interested as a necessity back when they crashed every 30secs, but in the past 5-10yrs everything seems to behave itself now. Anyway....
Purpose:
System needs to run a few VM's simultaneously, usually 2 but up to 4 if required. All running 'acquired' versions of whatever OS is the most efficient (probably Windows XP for ease). Each VM will be an identical partition, running very little, just a internet browser, Lastpass and dropbox, barebones other than that.
Budget is £500ish, maybe up to £700 if the recommended components will make a significant difference to the system.
Processor - Was thinking a mid level i5, although will an AMD equivalent be cheaper and offer similar results?
Motherboard - Whatever is needed to run the chip, want it to take 4 RAM slots though, incase I want a future upgrade
RAM - Was thinking 16GB might be enough? 4-8GB per VM, although can bump this to 32GB if its worthwhile
HD - Was going to go for a 250GB Samsung Evo SSD, storage isn't required, but speed is
Others - Will an additional CPU cooler be needed? Case, I want a small form factor, mini ATX? Then just basic PSU I guess.
I'll be running a 29" superwide monitor too, probably LG, it would have to be a 1080p jobbie due to budget, would love a 1440, but they're just too expensive atm.
Is there anything obvious I've missed off the list? And what components do people recommend for a build of these requirements?
I want to build a desktop PC primarily for running VM's. I've never built a PC before, and I don't have as much interest in computers as I used to, I used to be interested as a necessity back when they crashed every 30secs, but in the past 5-10yrs everything seems to behave itself now. Anyway....
Purpose:
System needs to run a few VM's simultaneously, usually 2 but up to 4 if required. All running 'acquired' versions of whatever OS is the most efficient (probably Windows XP for ease). Each VM will be an identical partition, running very little, just a internet browser, Lastpass and dropbox, barebones other than that.
Budget is £500ish, maybe up to £700 if the recommended components will make a significant difference to the system.
Processor - Was thinking a mid level i5, although will an AMD equivalent be cheaper and offer similar results?
Motherboard - Whatever is needed to run the chip, want it to take 4 RAM slots though, incase I want a future upgrade
RAM - Was thinking 16GB might be enough? 4-8GB per VM, although can bump this to 32GB if its worthwhile
HD - Was going to go for a 250GB Samsung Evo SSD, storage isn't required, but speed is
Others - Will an additional CPU cooler be needed? Case, I want a small form factor, mini ATX? Then just basic PSU I guess.
I'll be running a 29" superwide monitor too, probably LG, it would have to be a 1080p jobbie due to budget, would love a 1440, but they're just too expensive atm.
Is there anything obvious I've missed off the list? And what components do people recommend for a build of these requirements?
My only experience of VMs so far is when I tried to test out Windows 8 on my old Windows 7 laptop, and it ran like crap, so I just want to make sure it can run up to 4 VMs simultaneously, without grinding to a halt, I don't want to spend say £300, to then discovered if I'd bumped this up to £500 it would do a much better job.
I'll probably run Windows 10 64bit on the host, and 32bit on the guest systems.
I'll probably run Windows 10 64bit on the host, and 32bit on the guest systems.
Edited by skinnyman on Wednesday 26th October 11:13
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