Looking for a render server

[KirbyTech]

I am looking to either build or buy a render server. My budget is $750 CAD and that must be rack mounted with rails.  I was thinking of getting another Dell R710 to add in and then create a cluster of two of them since I have one not in use right now. I'm not sure how VMware would handle a large VM that has more resources than a single server would have. Well I am not even sure how possible that is. I am sure it is but what license required is scary

[Electronics Wizardy]

What are you rendering?

 

Vmware free is limited to 8 vcpus in a vm, Id look at proxmox or anther os here.

 

Id look for dual 2011 systems, should be able to find then for that price and there a good amount faster.

[alex75871]

Sometimes I see Intel Xeon E5-2695 v2 (socket 2011) pop up on ebay for $200 USD or less. Pair this CPU with a Supermicro board and you will be set!

 

You can also find other E5-2600 v2 series CPUs with 6, 8 and 10 cores for cheaper.

 

The E5-2695 v2 CPU has 12 cores, 24 threads, 2.4 GHz, and a massive 30 MB Cache.