Building xeon 5520 for ESX virtualization

[serverbulilder]

I'm planning to build dual xeon 5520 based server - mainly for virtualizing lot of test systesms.


https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=13896828


Planning to use free version of ESX. Need basic video and DVD drive that I've yet not added.

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Shadow703793]

Can't see your list. Just post the names of the parts and direct links to them.

 

[serverbulilder]

Here it is.. Thanks for looking..
1 SUPERMICRO SYS-7046A-T 4U Rackmountable / Tower Barebone Server - Retail $949.99 -$50.00 Instant $899.99
Model #:SYS-7046A-T
Item #:N82E16816101241
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

2 Intel Xeon E5520 Nehalem 2.26GHz LGA 1366 80W Quad-Core Server Processor Model BX80602E5520 - Retail $379.99 -$2.00 Save $755.98
Model #:BX80602E5520
Item #:N82E16819117185
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock

3 mushkin Pro Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) ECC Server Memory Model 998699 - Retail $109.99 $329.97
Model #:998699
Item #:N82E16820226066
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock

2 Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD3000HLFS
Item #:N82E16822136322
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

 

[Shadow703793]

Looks good. Not sure if the board needs a GPU, but most server boards have a built in IGP with dedicated RAM.

 

[serverbulilder]

Thanks for your comments.. Looks like it does not have any GPU. Even board doesn't seem to have any : http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/QPI/5500/X8DAi.cfm

I see an option of IMPI but don't understand it it will let me remote into this sytem or I need a GPU card

 

[spinning rust]

if you look at the top right hand corner, you should see the VGA out. servers really do not play up what GPU they have intergrated as most administrators are usually at their desk working on them remotely. (server rooms tend to be loud and cold) one thing to note, make sure the raid controller is a SAS(serial attached SCSI) controller. ESX and ESXi will not install on a SATA controller. only SCSI.