New computer help.

pixa241

Ok so I have an Acer Aspire X1200 and its basically to old and slow now. I want to do some upgrading. I am not sure if I should buy a new PC or maybe by a new motherboard, cpu and ram and switch it out and keep the case with the Acer I have. I found this motherboard but am not sure if it will fit in my case. Amazon.com: Gigabyte LGA 1150 Intel H87 HDMI SATA 6Gbps USB 3.0 Mini ITX DDR3 1600 Intel Motherboards GA-H87N-WIFI: Computers & Accessories...any suggestions of what to buy along with this motherboard. I mainly want to use it to set up some vSphere labs and all that, so I would want to have over 8gb of ram, preferrably 16 with at least an i5.

Edit*********************This is what I have in my cart at the moment.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006YG9EEW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CO8TA4I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FN5UYO4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

WafflesAndRootbeer

Get a new case and build a new PC with a solid quad-core CPU. You can turn the Acer into a Linux box as it will run Linux fairly well.

pixa241

WafflesAndRootbeer wrote: »

Get a new case and build a new PC with a solid quad-core CPU. You can turn the Acer into a Linux box as it will run Linux fairly well.

You have any recommendations on a case and what motherboard with what cpu?

Asif Dasl

You are going to need at least 32GB to run things comfortably. vCenter Server 5.5 takes at least 6GB of RAM, 2 vSphere Hosts with 8GB of RAM is a total of 22 GB of RAM and that's not including a domain controller and guest OS.

What's your budget? Any i5 should work fine, but preferably using an i7 or equivilent 8-core AMD.

Have you consdiered a Shuttle barebone? A Shuttle SZ87R6 would be perfect running a Haswell CPU, but you could also go for a cheaper Shuttle SH67H3.

Check this thread also - VMWare Labs

pixa241

Asif Dasl wrote: »

You are going to need at least 32GB to run things comfortably. vCenter Server 5.5 takes at least 6GB of RAM, 2 vSphere Hosts with 8GB of RAM is a total of 22 GB of RAM and that's not including a domain controller and guest OS.

What's your budget? Any i5 should work fine, but preferably using an i7 or equivilent 8-core AMD.

Have you consdiered a Shuttle barebone? A Shuttle SZ87R6 would be perfect running a Haswell CPU, but you could also go for a cheaper Shuttle SH67H3.

Check this thread also - VMWare Labs

Yes I was planning on that, but I am just starting with Vmware and according to some guides 16gb would be sufficient for right now, and I can later upgrade it to 32gb, so a motherboard that can support 32gb would be ideal. My budget is basically 500 dollars. And I am hoping to buy everything off of Amazon.

I work in IT and know my stuff, but this is the first time I am going to build my own PC so am kind of new as to what is the best combination with what.

Asif Dasl

Mmm tough budget... I don't think you'll be able to do it with 16GB. New case, motherboard, CPU, RAM for $500 is a tough ask IMO.

Don't forget VMware have free hands-on-labs, that could help you too...

pixa241

Asif Dasl wrote: »

Mmm tough budget... I don't think you'll be able to do it with 16GB. New case, motherboard, CPU, RAM for $500 is a tough ask IMO.

Don't forget VMware have free hands-on-labs, that could help you too...

Here is a link of what I have come up with. Intel Core i5-3470, Thermaltake VL80001W2Z - System Build - PCPartPicker

Asif Dasl

You could run 5.1 on 16GB but not 5.5 AFAIK. I found 2 posts using that Gigabyte board if that's any help:

homeLAB | Morne Smith's Blog

Real world experiences from virtual world : ESXi Home Lab with Intel Haswell CPU

Asif Dasl

You could try this server: 48 GB RAM - only downside is it would be noisy but it would work for 5.5

Dell PowerEdge C1100 CS24 Ty 2 x L5520 2 26GHz 48GB Trays Rails | eBay

EDIT:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261355969100

pixa241

Well here is a reviesed set up Intel Core i5-4570, Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 - My Custom Build - pixa241's Saved Part List - PCPartPicker

I dont really need the server as I will also want to use it as a regular computer. I just want to be able to learn vsphere and how to troubleshoot issues, and that was the best set up i can build with the above link.

JeanM

That will get you started.