CPU for VMs

[t0m3k]

I plan on building a hackintosh, and I will be running Win XP, Vista, 7, 8. and Xubuntu.

I don't plan on doing any gaming, just running VMs, light photo editing in Photoshop, and some recording of tutorials using Camtasia then editing the short vids

and posting them to my YouTube channel.

 

I plan on going with GA-Z87X-UD3H, but not sure which CPU should I choose.

 

The i7-4770K or i5-4670K, I'd prefer to go with the i5 and spend the difference in price on more RAM.

[helping]

i7

you need dat ram too, in large amounts

[TechSage]

You need 8GB, but after effects eats RAM. Get the i5.

[Vitalius]

I would get the 3570k personally with at least 16GB of RAM. There is no legitimate point in getting a 4XXXk processor imo and the saved money could be used on more RAM.

[TechSage]

i7

you need dat ram too, in large amounts

That's useless, he can't get both. 

[Altecice]

You could get away with an I5, its more the RAM you need to be worrying about. Also think about using .VHD's 

[Unhelpful]

If you plan on using vt-d grab a non-k cpu. A 4770(non k)

[Joshyy]

You're using programs that are gobbling up all DA RAM, get 16GB in 2 8GB sticks, if you find your running out, get another 2 8GB sticks, don't get 4x4

[helping]

That's useless, he can't get both.

I can read.

He can add RAM later, can't add an i2 to an i5 later. Depending on the VM software and if he uses multiple heavy programs at once, it will take advantage of hyper threading.

 

how does i2 compare to an i3?

it's about 2/3rs i3.

NOPE NO EDIT SAVING FOR U

[Unhelpful]

I can read.

He can add RAM later, can't add an i2 to an i5 later.

Ignore this (my) post.

[Unhelpful]

^This. Forget K series if you plan on doing VM work. Non K 4770 is excellent at VM. 

Better than K series if you are doing VM work. Not just as good. Better. Because vt-d

[wako7654]

IMO Vt-d is only useful if you are using the computer purely for Virtualization, like using it as a commited Virtual NAS Server with direct access to SAS drives, RAID arrays in the machine. VT-d is used for direct I/O assignments which will not benefit you much when you just want to play around with different OS's. An AMD FX chip would be much better if youre gonna go for a VM server because of the cost.

 

Get a 4770k, RAM can be added later. VMs benefit from hyperthreading. You can also squeeze out a little more because of the overclocking.

 

Edit: but if you want to just build and done with it, Go i5 4670k, the performance hit will not be that much since much of it is dependent on RAM

[StormtrooperStu]

Sod Intel and go with 8 core AMD. 

[Priller]

The 4670K & 4770K do not have virtualization which is something you want in order to run a VM.

 

The regular non K CPUs(4th Gen) do have virtualization but hamper the OC ability.

 

The best bet is to use an 8350 in a decent board, put a mild OC on it and run the server off of 2-6 cores depending on what it does.

[Giggitygoebbels]

Get an FX8320 or Xeon E3-1230v3.You need more threads.

The 4670K & 4770K do not have virtualization which is something you want in order to run a VM.

 

The regular non K CPUs(4th Gen) do have virtualization but hamper the OC ability.

 

The best bet is to use an 8350 in a decent board, put a mild OC on it and run the server off of 2-6 cores depending on what it does.

VT-d is not as necessary as VT-X which is present in all i series.

[ace2k8]

I have the 4670K and 20GB of ram I run about 4 VM's through my day and play a few games at the same time. The I7 hyper threading helps the 4 core CPU but does not replace and true 8 core CPU. The 8350 would be better in this case or a i5 4670K would be better if your not running them all at once.

[IdeaStormer]

For many VM's you desire in this order, RAM, CPU cores, Hard Disk IO (RAID 0, RAID 10) or separate driver per VM or group of VM's. The more VM's you run the bigger need for Disk IO will arise. Use one Disk and you'll kill it fairly fast so back it up if you value the VM's on that disk.

[WoodenMarker]

Sod Intel and go with 8 core AMD. 

Not for a hackintosh.

Go for a 1230 V3.

[PC_Master99]

I would go 4770 (non k) with 16GB or 32GB or RAM

[ace2k8]

For many VM's you desire in this order, RAM, CPU cores, Hard Disk IO (RAID 0, RAID 10) or separate driver per VM or group of VM's. The more VM's you run the bigger need for Disk IO will arise. Use one Disk and you'll kill it fairly fast so back it up if you value the VM's on that disk.

He is rite. I forgot to say I have 3 Samsung 840s in raid 0 for the man VM and a raid 10 for testing platforms. You definitely need the speed and the space. Running a VM is running more then one os at a time