I intend to build a lab server at home just to keep abreast of the latest things from Microsoft; From Lync 2013 to System Center 2012 to SQL 2012. Everything will be virtualized using Hyper-V so things like VT-d, VT-x, EPT, etc. should be supported.
After a 5-year hiatus on building an Intel-based PC, the last being a Core 2 Quad Q9550 from way back, I'm a bit rusty on the bleeding edge. Though, I've recently started reading up and have come up with the following grocery list of sorts, to build my lab/test/dev PC, I still think I'll need all the help I can get. Target budget is just a little over 30k.
Asrock H77 Pro4-M
Intel Core i7-3770
GSkill ARES 16GB (8GBX2) DDR3 1600
HP 331T 4-Port Gigabit NIC
Why Asrock? My homeserver uses an Asrock board and it's been running 24x7 for over 3 years now. Built like a rock. Though, I don't see my lab PC running 24x7, it's nice to know that this brand is reliable. I was originally looking for a board with Q77 chipsets, but apparently, business-oriented boards are not quite popular here and none of the local PC shops sell them. That said, I was forced along the path of consumer boards (Z77, H77, etc.). I didn't get the Z77 as I don't intend to overclock it.... same reason I didn't get the unlocked i7-3770 (the one with the "K"). To me, stability is a tad bit more important.
I went for a 3rd Gen Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) because they're cooler, slightly cheaper, and has a few things that may come in handy when I need to enable some enterprise features.... or so I've read.
As for RAM, I'm starting off with just 16GB and will upgrade to 32GB when budget permits or if my projects demand for more.
I haven't started looking for HDDs but at the top of my head, I think a pair of 500GB 7200RPM SATA3 drives in RAID0 should do. I don't have the budget to go SSD for now.
Please tell me what you think.
After a 5-year hiatus on building an Intel-based PC, the last being a Core 2 Quad Q9550 from way back, I'm a bit rusty on the bleeding edge. Though, I've recently started reading up and have come up with the following grocery list of sorts, to build my lab/test/dev PC, I still think I'll need all the help I can get. Target budget is just a little over 30k.
Asrock H77 Pro4-M
Intel Core i7-3770
GSkill ARES 16GB (8GBX2) DDR3 1600
HP 331T 4-Port Gigabit NIC
Why Asrock? My homeserver uses an Asrock board and it's been running 24x7 for over 3 years now. Built like a rock. Though, I don't see my lab PC running 24x7, it's nice to know that this brand is reliable. I was originally looking for a board with Q77 chipsets, but apparently, business-oriented boards are not quite popular here and none of the local PC shops sell them. That said, I was forced along the path of consumer boards (Z77, H77, etc.). I didn't get the Z77 as I don't intend to overclock it.... same reason I didn't get the unlocked i7-3770 (the one with the "K"). To me, stability is a tad bit more important.
I went for a 3rd Gen Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) because they're cooler, slightly cheaper, and has a few things that may come in handy when I need to enable some enterprise features.... or so I've read.
As for RAM, I'm starting off with just 16GB and will upgrade to 32GB when budget permits or if my projects demand for more.
I haven't started looking for HDDs but at the top of my head, I think a pair of 500GB 7200RPM SATA3 drives in RAID0 should do. I don't have the budget to go SSD for now.
Please tell me what you think.