Home lab multi-purpose server

[Kalm_Traveler]

Ok I just threw this together so if I'm overlooking something please let me know:

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/CJKgcY

 

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/CJKgcY
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/CJKgcY/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor  ($589.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Wraith Ripper 76.4 CFM CPU Cooler  ($119.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - X399 AORUS PRO ATX TR4 Motherboard  ($284.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair - Dominator Platinum 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($559.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($129.89 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate - IronWolf 8 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($237.70 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate - IronWolf 8 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($237.70 @ OutletPC) 
Storage: Seagate - IronWolf 8 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($237.70 @ OutletPC) 
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GT 730 2 GB Video Card  ($47.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Corsair - 750D Airflow Edition ATX Full Tower Case  ($149.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair - Professional 1200 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($129.97 @ Newegg) 
Wired Network Adapter: Intel - E1G42ETBLK PCI-Express x4 1000 Mbit/s Network Adapter  ($58.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $2784.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-22 15:22 EST-0500

 

Right now I'm thinking it will run some hypervisor like ESXi so I can learn how to set it up. I want it to perform a few functions: file server, firewall, DHCP, router, WAP controller, VPN host, home security camera management and have some sandbox VMs for file analysis, testing etc.

 

I guess my questions are mainly if the parts list will leave tons of capacity to add more functions later on if desired, and/or if I could build something cheaper that will do all of that just fine with like a Ryzen 7 or 5 base?

 

*EDIT*

not a set budget but if I can get everything done with a cheaper build I'm all for it. I already have the PSU and video card just laying around - current file server has an 80+ gold 450w PSU but that seems way too borderline to be safe.

[factorialandha]

Im going to leave the hardware itself to someone else, however my one note for you to consider is ESXi can be extremely specific as to what hardware it will support.

 

You might want to check its hardware compatibility to make sure the CPU / RAM / Motherboard are all supported, otherwise it will pretty much just tell you NO on the installation.

 

I think (historically at least) it had very specific CPU requirements, server level CPUs that is, im not sure if they removed that requirement, but i do remember trying to install it on a non server SKU CPU a long time ago and it basically told me no, even if it would technically have worked.

 

If you arent specific about running vmware then the hardware should work perfectly fine with other hypervisors.