Building PC for multiple VMs

[alchemistake]

Hi guys!

I am newbie on the forum if I am posting it to wrong place I am really sorry... But I know you won't be mad at me, Right?

However, I am cutting the chase.

 

I have a shi---, lets say bad, desktop computer. To be exact HP Pavilion p6 2103et (My father was buying it so wanted to buy a prebuilt) the specs can be found here: http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-p6-2100-Desktop-PC-series/5187028/document/c03314914/

 

TLDR Version: i7 2600 with Eyefinity Radeon HD 7570 and 6GB generic RAM, rest of it is HP parts worths nothing.

 

I want to built a machine that is capable enough the run "Mac OS X El Capitan" smoothly in a VM, because It was the most laggy one I run.It is legal, I am testing software (I can edit or mod to make it faster such as no animation stuff)

My daily usage is at most 3 VMs with some different light weight OSes 

But the catch is I have no to little money

 

My first thought was Linus' $150 Gaming PC Video. I can buy a old server, put my old video card, call it a day. But I want to be sure and get creative ideas about it.

 

Budget is up to $200, if the money REALLY worths it I can go up to $400. Gaming is not my concern, I am playing GMod or CS:S at most; current video card is enough for me until he dies.

 

Parts that I am thinking the reuse are: HDD, Video Card, Peripherals, if it will be suitable Wifi Card.

 

I am trying to find a way to maximise core&thread number, ram size, part reuse AND minimise cost. Help me, please?

[FilipSebik]

You need at least 4 cores and 8 gb ram

[LukeTim]

The i7 should be okay, I would boost that RAM so you can give the VMs a few GB each.

Though, in my experience HP machines can be really picky about what kind of RAM they will accept.

 

I don't know about running OSX in a VM, though. That is not going to be easy.

 

May I ask why you're running so many VMs daily?

[The_Stig]

Just get lots of RAM. Like at least 16gb

[Mackenzieboi1]

Try on newegg they have decent priced systems

http://www.newegg.com/Server-Workstation-Systems/SubCategory/ID-386

[alchemistake]

Thanks for the responds everyone.

 

-LukeTim: I am Computer Science Student, I like other OSes but multi-boot and opening closing the current OS is not my cup of tea. And I am testing my apps on different settings and different OSes. 

 

-The_Stig: The cheap motherboard does not allow it  I should go get a new mother board for that.

 

-Mackenzieboi1: Thanks for the tip but shipping cost is very high

[JJOATz]

Someone listed this in a post. It will fall in the initial $200 budget. It's x4 6 Core Xeon 7460 processors. Keep in mind you will need a Windows Server edition to use all 6 processors, or just use Linux (and save money).

 

Dell PowerEdge R900

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151973644731#shpCntId

[Streetguru]

18 hours ago, alchemistake said:

Hi guys!

I am newbie on the forum if I am posting it to wrong place I am really sorry... But I know you won't be mad at me,

You should like buy a used Mac Mini or something, otherwise you need specific hardware for OSX to be relatively stable if I'm not mistaken

Otherwise if You're willing to give up OSX or maybe find a used macbook or something for that

you can't really go wrong with an 8320e for VM workloads on the cheap, although the CPU itself probably isn't any faster than the i7 there at least in single core performance

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pDMF6h
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pDMF6h/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320E 3.2GHz 8-Core Processor  ($126.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard  ($63.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $250.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-05 02:35 EST-0500

[alchemistake]

6 hours ago, Streetguru said:

You should like buy a used Mac Mini or something, otherwise you need specific hardware for OSX to be relatively stable if I'm not mistaken

Otherwise if You're willing to give up OSX or maybe find a used macbook or something for that

you can't really go wrong with an 8320e for VM workloads on the cheap, although the CPU itself probably isn't any faster than the i7 there at least in single core performance

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pDMF6h
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pDMF6h/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320E 3.2GHz 8-Core Processor  ($126.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard  ($63.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $250.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-05 02:35 EST-0500

I have a Macbook Pro for daily usage, but I like to stress test the apps I write with the help of VM's. Thanks for the advice! Checking the prices on local shops right now.