Desktops as Servers for virtualization

Xyal · May 31, 2020

Trying to build my own server farm, but old servers are not available in my country and it's really hard to get good spec rack servers, so I'm thinking if it is logical to use consumer desktops for my virtualization projects (ovirt,openstack,ceph)

Thinking of

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900x

Motherboard: Need help

Ram: 4 x 16GB adata (total 64GB)

PSU: Need help

Case: Need help (Thinking of getting custom case)

Also should I get cooling? I believe the Ryzen 3900x already includes a fan I hope that is enough.

This is only for home and will turn off from time to time.

More of a practice bench for me.

Mario5 · May 31, 2020

For motherboard u can pick up: Gigabyte X570 AORUS EXTREME

PSU:idk

and u should be fine with stock cooler if u are not going to go intense on it.

svmlegacy · May 31, 2020

20 minutes ago, Xyal said:

Trying to build my own server farm, but old servers are not available in my country and it's really hard to get good spec rack servers, so I'm thinking if it is logical to use consumer desktops for my virtualization projects (ovirt,openstack,ceph)

Thinking of

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900x

Motherboard: Need help

Ram: 4 x 16GB adata (total 64GB)

PSU: Need help

Case: Need help (Thinking of getting custom case)

Also should I get cooling? I believe the Ryzen 3900x already includes a fan I hope that is enough.

This is only for home and will turn off from time to time.

More of a practice bench for me.

You don't need a very special motherboard for this, just make sure to check that the VRM is good for the 3900X (Most BXXX motherboards are capable of running the 3900X to it's potential).

If your VM farm is running it hard, you might want to invest in a cooler. This is something easily replaceable later on. You'll also want a higher efficiency PSU for 24/7 operation, as it helps keep the bills down a little bit, and keeps the components cooler (making it a longer lasting solution.)