Budget test lab server

[clearwaterms]

I am looking to build a workstation that will support run a Microsoft Hyper-V lab.

This machine should be able to spin up and run 3 servers plus the base OS (in a test lab so no production users) and a workstation OS. I would like to drive multiple monitors so I can run a desktop and server to test and "play" with the different tools, etc.

The only "production" stuff I plan to use this machine for is to backup data from my work laptop which has a 256GB SSD.

I am on a fairly tight budget and would like to keep the build under $400 but am willing to go up to $500 if I can justify the spend. I would like something that has capacity to upgrade (enough power supply to run multiple drives) the ability to add memory as needed (4 memory slots) etc. I do not need a keyboard, mouse, or DVD drive)

Here is what I looking for, please provide some suggestions on MB, memory, processor, case and powersupply. Also, if a video card is required that would be helpful as well.

quad core (thinking AMD since I think cores are more important than speed of each core)
16GB of memory (the servers I will be running are exchange, Lync, AD, etc.)
SATA 6GB

Which AMD processor should I Look at, the A-X series? FX quad core, spring for the new 8 core? How big of a power supply do i need? I would like to purchase everything at one vendor so links to Newegg would be awesome.

Thank you in advance for the suggestions.

 

[Klucksta]

I am looking to build a workstation that will support run a Microsoft Hyper-V lab.

This machine should be able to spin up and run 3 servers plus the base OS (in a test lab so no production users) and a workstation OS. I would like to drive multiple monitors so I can run a desktop and server to test and "play" with the different tools, etc.

The only "production" stuff I plan to use this machine for is to backup data from my work laptop which has a 256GB SSD.

I am on a fairly tight budget and would like to keep the build under $400 but am willing to go up to $500 if I can justify the spend. I would like something that has capacity to upgrade (enough power supply to run multiple drives) the ability to add memory as needed (4 memory slots) etc. I do not need a keyboard, mouse, or DVD drive)

Here is what I looking for, please provide some suggestions on MB, memory, processor, case and powersupply. Also, if a video card is required that would be helpful as well.

quad core (thinking AMD since I think cores are more important than speed of each core)
16GB of memory (the servers I will be running are exchange, Microsoft Lync, AD, etc.)
SATA 6GB

Which AMD processor should I Look at, the A-X series? FX quad core, spring for the new 8 core? How big of a power supply do i need? I would like to purchase everything at one vendor so links to Newegg would be awesome.

Thank you in advance for the suggestions.

Hey dude,

did you find any solution?

 

[clearwaterms]

I did. It is working.

i ended up with a AMD FX-8120 8 core processor on an ASrock motherboard with 16GB of Corsair memory. I paired it with a super budget case and a 460w power supply.

For the drivers I am using a OCZ 64GB SATA for my OS and a 1.5TB Seagate 64MB cache sata III drive as the data drive that stores my VM's, snapshots and ISO files for testing my different software pieces. So far I have 2DC's, 2 Exchange servers, a windows 8 test workstation and a windows core Server all running on it without too much problem. Granted I have only 1 exchange user and I am SUPER skimpy on ram having them all boot with 4gb but running dynamic memory so most of them idle around 600MB. The exchange boxes are the largest performance hit.

I don't know what the total computer came out to. I purchased it from newegg and also bought a few extra pieces for another computer (hard disk drive so my lab could have a spare box) a new switch, a printer, 2 23" monitors, speakers, etc. and it was pennies under $1000.

The processor was $150
the MB was $65
the memory was $65~$70
disk drives were $90 and $65
power supply $55
case $30
video card (ASrock didn't have an onboard) $25

I am certain i went over my budget but if i would have used a single 1.5TB drive I would have likely stayed right around the $500 limit.

The host OS is windows server 2012.