16 core PC build for virtualization and casual gaming

[n.valdas9]

Hi,
I have 2 Intel Xeon E5-2670 CPU's and right now I can spend around $450 . My goal is to be able to run as many windows 7 ultimate 64bit virtual machines as possible with VMware Workstation with this budget. Each virtual machine will be running few small size applications that require no more than 1.5 GHz Processor, 256 MB RAM and 128 MB 3D Graphics Card. Other than that they will be "empty" as far as storage goes. Also, to be able to join 2 different wifi connections at the same time would be a huge plus ( have different VM's use different connections) And finally, if I would add another ~$80 for a used graphics card, what would you suggest for casual 720p gaming? I understand that I will be looking at used parts and I'm fine with it. Any suggestions appreciated

 

[Karadjgne]

While the applications might be small, the OS requirements for windows isn't. For an empty VM figure on 2+Gb of ram from the primary OS.

 

[kanewolf]

Getting 3D graphics card direct access to VMs is not trivial. Virtualization requires RAM. @Karadjgne says 2GB, I might say 3GB per VM. Those CPUs have 4 channel memory controllers, so you want to buy RAM in multiples of 8 DIMMs. So 8x4GB or 8x8GB.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Hi,
I have 2 Intel Xeon E5-2670 CPU's and right now I can spend around $450 . My goal is to be able to run as many windows 7 ultimate 64bit virtual machines as possible with VMware Workstation with this budget. Each virtual machine will be running few small size applications that require no more than 1.5 GHz Processor, 256 MB RAM and 128 MB 3D Graphics Card. Other than that they will be "empty" as far as storage goes. Also, to be able to join 2 different wifi connections at the same time would be a huge plus ( have different VM's use different connections) And finally, if I would add another ~$80 for a used graphics card, what would you suggest for casual 720p gaming? I understand that I will be looking at used parts and I'm fine with it.

Dying to know what you are actually doing with all these VMs, what are these applications and whats the goal here?