1500$ build for running virtual machines

[ricno]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: June 2010

BUDGET RANGE: Around 1500$

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Running multiple virtual machines. Not gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, operating system

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: none

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Sweden

PARTS PREFERENCES: Most likely a Intel Core i7-930

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like to build a powerful PC for running multiple virtual machines through Vmware Workstation. (Not for actual production systems, but for testing and learning at home.)

I need:

A CPU with many cores and hyperthreading support
Lots of memory, probably 12 GB RAM
Fast storage (no preferences)

I do not need:

Gaming graphic card
Special sound card

If I could get a motherboard with good built-in graphic and sound it would most likely be enough.

If possible the machine shall be silent too!

I am grateful for any advice on this!

 

[Userremoved]

1366 does not have integrated graphics sorry:

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

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$109.98
$89.98

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SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

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The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info22-152-185.0.120)

* 1 year: $10.99
* 2 year: $18.99

-$10.00 Instant


$79.99
$69.99

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SAPPHIRE 100282-3CODSR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

SAPPHIRE 100282-3CODSR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814102885
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

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Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info14-102-885.0.18)

* 1 year: $32.99
* 2 year: $54.99



$324.99

select item 4 quantity of item 4


ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A6T/BLK/B/G

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A6T/BLK/B/G
Item #: N82E16827135202
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

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Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info27-135-202.0.18)

* 1 year: $6.99
* 2 year: $11.99



$16.99

select item 5 quantity of item 5


CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active ...
Item #: N82E16817139010
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-010

$169.99
$149.99

select item 6 quantity of item 6


CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G

CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G
Item #: N82E16820145235
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant


$359.99
$339.99

select item 7 quantity of item 7


GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128423
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

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Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info13-128-423.0.120)

* 1 year: $25.99
* 2 year: $45.99



$209.99

select item 8 quantity of item 8


Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options19-115-225|hide options19-115-225)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info19-115-225.0.120)

* 1 year: $29.99
* 2 year: $59.99

-$5.00 Instant


$294.99
$289.99

Subtotal: $1,491.91

+30$ if you want a good aftermarket cooler (Hyper 212).

Does this suit you?

 

[Userremoved]

there's also this with a entry level graphic card:


COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant


$109.98
$89.98

select item 2 quantity of item 2


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options22-152-185|hide options22-152-185)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info22-152-185.0.120)

* 1 year: $10.99
* 2 year: $18.99

-$10.00 Instant


$79.99
$69.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3


SAPPHIRE 100289L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

SAPPHIRE 100289L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI ...
Item #: N82E16814102869
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

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Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info14-102-869.0.18)

* 1 year: $16.99
* 2 year: $25.99

-$3.00 Instant


$119.99
$116.99

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ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A6T/BLK/B/G

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A6T/BLK/B/G
Item #: N82E16827135202
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options27-135-202|hide options27-135-202)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info27-135-202.0.18)

* 1 year: $6.99
* 2 year: $11.99



$16.99

select item 5 quantity of item 5


CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active ...
Item #: N82E16817139010
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-010

$169.99
$149.99

select item 6 quantity of item 6


CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G

CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G
Item #: N82E16820145235
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant


$359.99
$339.99

select item 7 quantity of item 7


GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128423
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

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Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info13-128-423.0.120)

* 1 year: $25.99
* 2 year: $45.99



$209.99

select item 8 quantity of item 8


Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options19-115-225|hide options19-115-225)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info19-115-225.0.120)

* 1 year: $29.99
* 2 year: $59.99

-$5.00 Instant


$294.99
$289.99

Subtotal: $1,283.91
+30$ for the Hyper 212

 

[Userremoved]

Did you think of a building a server?

 

[ricno]

Thank you for you replies, I will look at your suggestions very soon.

Did you think of a building a server?

No, it will be an home pc (web etc) but I need the power to be able to run multiple virtual machines (with server operating systems mainly), but just on Windows 7 in a case suitable in a home.

 

[WR2]

Here is a suggested build from the sticky topic Recommended Builds by Usage
Enthusiast build: $1,393.89

* CPU: Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail
* MOBO: ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
* RAM: G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO - Retail
* HSF: COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU ... - Retail
* HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
* PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
* GPU: XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
* DVD: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support - Retail
* Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

Massage the parts list a bit to meet your requirements:
Replace PSU 850TX Corsair PSU with Corsair 550VX or similar.
Replace GPU HD 5870 with HD 5670 or other video card that is recommended by Vmware Workstation
Add 1 HDD Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB in RAID 0
Replace RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL
Add 1 set of G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL

 

[Userremoved]

Ok then! Why dont you want a gaming graphics card?

 

[ricno]

Ok then! Why dont you want a gaming graphics card?

At the moment I do not play any games due to lack of time (two daughters 1 and 3 years ) and the time I spend on the computer will be mostly work related.

I know very little of the current graphic cards and just want one that could reasonable display ordinary Windows graphics.

 

[Userremoved]

I think 1366 is better suited for him.
He also wants 12Gb of RAM.

 

[WR2]

He also wants 12Gb of RAM.

12GB of RAM included. Along with fast quad core hyper-threaded CPU. He is on a budget also.

 

[Userremoved]

Ok then the 5670 suits you.

 

[Userremoved]

12GB of RAM included. Along with fast quad core hyper-threaded CPU. He is on a budget also.

Except the 1366 platform has no bottlenecks with USB3 and SATA3 and has full 16X lanes I know he docent need them now but they will probably make the machine last a little longer.

 

[WR2]

ASUS P7P55D-E Pro has USB3 and SATA 6Gb/s and full 16 lanes on PCI-e first slot.

 

[Userremoved]

ASUS P7P55D-E Pro has USB3 and SATA 6Gb/s and full 16 lanes on PCI-e first slot.

At the price of 1366 motherboards with 2 PCIe lanes and on top of that the cheaper 1366 motherboards have 16X/16X. Example:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130273&cm_re=1366_usb3-_-13-130-273-_-Product
On top of that the i7 930 is 10$ more than i7 860.

 

[WR2]

cheaper 1366 motherboards have 16X/16X.

Explain to the OP why 16X/16X is good for his non-gaming build.

 

[Userremoved]

It's not better it's just a 50$ difference.

 

[Userremoved]

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant


$109.98
$89.98

select item 2 quantity of item 2


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options22-152-185|hide options22-152-185)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info22-152-185.0.120)

* 1 year: $10.99
* 2 year: $18.99

-$10.00 Instant


$79.99
$69.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3


XFX HD-567X-YNFC Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

XFX HD-567X-YNFC Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ...
Item #: N82E16814150466
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



$89.99

select item 4 quantity of item 4


ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A6T/BLK/B/G

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A6T/BLK/B/G
Item #: N82E16827135202
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options27-135-202|hide options27-135-202)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info27-135-202.0.18)

* 1 year: $6.99
* 2 year: $11.99



$16.99

select item 5 quantity of item 5


CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139006
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$30.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-006

$139.99
$109.99

select item 6 quantity of item 6


G.SKILL 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T2-12GBNQ

G.SKILL 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T2-12GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231260
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy



$339.99

select item 7 quantity of item 7


ASRock X58 Extreme 3 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASRock X58 Extreme 3 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157189
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant


$209.99
$189.99

select item 8 quantity of item 8


Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options19-115-225|hide options19-115-225)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info19-115-225.0.120)

* 1 year: $29.99
* 2 year: $59.99

-$5.00 Instant


$294.99
$289.99

select item 9 quantity of item 9


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade
Item #: N82E16832116713
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant


$119.99
$109.99

Subtotal: $1,306.90

Now for the i7:


COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant


$109.98
$89.98

select item 2 quantity of item 2


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options22-152-185|hide options22-152-185)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info22-152-185.0.120)

* 1 year: $10.99
* 2 year: $18.99

-$10.00 Instant


$79.99
$69.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3


XFX HD-567X-YNFC Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

XFX HD-567X-YNFC Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ...
Item #: N82E16814150466
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



$89.99

select item 4 quantity of item 4


ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A6T/BLK/B/G

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A6T/BLK/B/G
Item #: N82E16827135202
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options27-135-202|hide options27-135-202)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info27-135-202.0.18)

* 1 year: $6.99
* 2 year: $11.99



$16.99

select item 5 quantity of item 5


CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139006
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$30.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-006

$139.99
$109.99

select item 6 quantity of item 6


G.SKILL 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T2-12GBNQ

G.SKILL 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T2-12GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231260
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy



$339.99

select item 7 quantity of item 7


ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131621
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

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Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info13-131-621.0.120)

* 1 year: $19.99
* 2 year: $36.99



$189.99

select item 8 quantity of item 8


Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860

Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860
Item #: N82E16819115214
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options19-115-214|hide options19-115-214)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info19-115-214.0.120)

* 1 year: $29.99
* 2 year: $59.99

-$10.00 Instant


$289.99
$279.99

select item 9 quantity of item 9


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade
Item #: N82E16832116713
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant


$119.99
$109.99

Subtotal: $1,296.90

 

[Userremoved]

Fine go with the i7 860 it's true that 16X/16X wont do a difference.

 

[WR2]

Im pretty sure they use Krona in Sweden; kr not $.
And its certain that prices and price differentials will not be the same. As will availability.

And its also certain that all the notes you're posting the OP will NOT apply to him.

 

[WR2]

I need:

A CPU with many cores and hyperthreading support

i5 750 does not have hyper-threading support.
i7 860 has hyper-threading support 2.80GHz clock speed with a 3.46GHz Turbo Boost in 95W TDP.
i7 930 has hyper-threading support 2.80GHz clock speed with a 3.06GHz Turbo Boost in 130W TDP.

 

[Userremoved]

i5 750 does not have hyper-threading support.
i7 860 has hyper-threading support 2.80GHz clock speed with a 3.46GHz Turbo Boost in 95W TDP.
i7 930 has hyper-threading support 2.80GHz clock speed with a 3.06GHz Turbo Boost in 130W TDP.

it was a typo I changed it.

 

[ricno]

Im pretty sure they use Krona in Sweden; kr not $.
And its certain that prices and price differentials will not be the same. As will availability.

It is certainly correct that our currency is Krona and that exact prices here will differ some. However I will take care of translating from $ to Krona and look for the parts in local web stores, if you help me with assembling the best collection of hardware it would be more than enough.

I am grateful for the replies so far, even as the amount of text is somewhat overwhealming, so I will start to summarize the suggestions to have a clearer look.

 

[ricno]

I see that you are discussing Intel Core i7-860 vs i7-930. What is the difference between these two?

One feature I do need is hardware support for virtualization. I.e. CPU virtualization support with Intel VT and memory virtualization as in Intel EPT. Can I assume that both these processors has the support?

 

[Userremoved]

The difference between the 930 and 860 is pretty much only that the 860 uses the 1156 platform (Dual channel DDR3, 8X/8X Xfire/SLI) and the 930 uses 1366 (Triple channel DDR3, 16X/16X Xfire/SLI).

 

[WR2]

VT and EPT (SLAT) supported in all the Nehalem CPUs.

Bloomfield (i7-9xx socket 1366) was the first released and has a transitor count of 731M and 130W thermal envelope.
Lynnfield (i5-750, i7-8xx socket 1156) was the 2nd released with 774M transistors and 95W thermal envelope.

Are you interested in overclocking at all? Bloomfields have an advantage if you're trying for maximum over-clock capability.
And the triple-channel memory architecture gives them greater memory bandwidth.
Lynnfield and it's P55 MB, dual channel RAM lower the cost of entry into the 4core/8thread computing. And a Lynnfield system will use about 30W less power at idle and similar % savings when under load if that's of interest to you.

Are you virtualization testing going to be scientific oriented or more along the lines of server operations? If there is an element of heavy HDD I/O involved it might make sense to use that RAID 0 array. For a production system you'd be looking at RAID 5 probably.