I am putting this thread here because most of the questions I have are vm or server related (if this is not in the correct spot please let me know). I was thinking about using unraid, but setting that up I think is beyond my ability and I would need a video card for each VM (I am assuming), granted the cards for the VM's would be something like a fanless 1030.
Ultimately I want to replace 3 or 4 of my computers with 1.
What I want to be able to do is run (at the same time):
My general use machine (linix mint) while being very fast and snappy (4k monitor or two without blinking an eye, along with light gaming)
Plex server, 2 transcoding 1080p streams at a time (Linux)
File server (I might combine with my plex server)
Blue Iris security system continuously recording with 4 cameras (windows)
Blue ray drive for data (windows to be combined with Blue Iris)
So here is my plan / idea.
My main OS would be linix mint.
Then I would have a VM with windows 10 running blue iris (4 cores and 4GB of ram). This would run on a separate 120GB SSD with a 2TB WD purple HDD. I have a blue ray optical drive and windows 10 pro licence already.
VM with linix running plex (4 cores with 4GB of ram) running on a 120GB ssd and a 4TB hdd
Maybe a VM with a file server using 2 cores and 2GB ram. 120GB ssd and a 4TB hdd in raid 1.
But part of the catch is that when I use the normal full system I still want it to be blazing fast and not sound like a jet engine taking off (it is a new computer after all). My thought is that the other VMs would be effectively contained to only specific cores and RAM so no matter what they are doing it does not slow down the main system.
For a cpu I am thinking
thread ripper 2 (2920 12 core 24 thread) I would prefer a quiet air cooler over liquid cooling as I have never done liquid cooling and it makes me a little nervous
1070 ti video card (or equivalent) quieter the better
32GB quad channel memory (for this application I presume the faster the better)
512 or 1TB nvme drive for my general use (plus a 4tb spinning HDD for general storage or steam games) Maybe a slightly lower capacity Optane drive?
Fanless power supply (80+ platinum because this system would be on 24/7
4TB HDD for plex storage
2TB HDD for blue iris
two 120GB ssd for VM operating systems
Battery backup (my laser printer is in the same room and it makes the lights dim)
And a case to go along with it. I dont care about cosmetics, but I would like a couple usb ports on the front of the tower)
I would like to have thunderbolt 3, I think linux still has issues with it but down the road I hope it would be sorted out.
With all that said, what do you guys think? Am I asking to much of the hardware or is there a better way to set this up?