[SOLVED] ESXi 6.7 New Server Build

[laserpp]

Hello All,

Looking for someone who know a lot about ESXi. I am currently using intel NUC and looking to expand to an miniITX build with a 3950x.

It is going to be used for Cyber Security functions and have a lab of all my companies products for testing/demos.(Mangement Server, multiple WIN/LINUX endpoints/Web Gateway/Sandboxes/ etc)

Current NUC ESXi Setup:
6th Generation Intel Core i7-6770HQ: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DJ9XS52/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
32GB RAM: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019FRCV9G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
1TB SSD: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073SB2MXT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Future miniITX computer:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 3.5 GHz 16-Core Processor ($737.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix X570-I Gaming Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard ($339.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($339.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 2.048 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($219.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 2.048 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($219.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: ASRock Radeon RX 570 4 GB Phantom Gaming D Video Card ($121.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Lian Li TU150 Mini ITX Desktop Case ($117.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GM 450 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $2263.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-04-24 13:47 EDT-0400

Shouldn't be any issues with this AMD build and ESXi 6.7 (let say don't worry about money - hoping to be able to expense it via work)

 

[jeremyj_83]

DO NOT use consumer grade parts for an ESXi host. First Ryzen isn't officially supported in ESXi so you will not be able to get VMware support if something doesn't work. Secondly consumer parts aren't designed to be run 24x7.

 

[jeremyj_83]

See if you can find a computer making barebones systems with the Epyc 3451. That is a 16c/32t CPU that while not as fast as the 3950X, will be supported by VMware. https://www.servethehome.com/amd-epyc-3451-benchmarks-and-review/2/

 

[laserpp]

Yea I have heard that - i would be using free version of ESXi and I usually shut it down when not in use (testing/Demos)

I also refresh every few months to re-install.

 

[jeremyj_83]

It might work, but no guarantees. I would at least wait for the ASrock Rack mITX X570 motherboard to be released. https://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=X570D4I-2T#Specifications This supports ECC and has IPMI. There might me some Epyc 3451 embedded platforms released soon as well.

 

[laserpp]

OKay thank you!

 

[jeremyj_83]

Ideally you will also want to have separate smaller SSD for your ESXi installation. You don't want your datastore and OS on the same disk. 2x120/240 for a RAID 1 will be plenty.