[SOLVED] Linux server in an old PC

[vns2k177]

Hi,

I have an old Intel I7 3rd generation processor (I7 3770k). I am going to buy a Biostar H61MH V3 (no other mobos available for this processor) and 16GB RAM. The mobo spec at the Biostar site lists only windows 7/8/10 as supported OS's. My questions are:

1. Can I run Linux (server and not desktop) in this CPU/Mobo combo?
2. Can I install 3 versions of Linux (RHEL 8, Cent OS 8, and Ubuntu Latest) in this machine?

My advance thanks!

 

[kanewolf]

Hi,

I have an old Intel I7 3rd generation processor (I7 3770k). I am going to buy a Biostar H61MH V3 (no other mobos available for this processor) and 16GB RAM. The mobo spec at the Biostar site lists only windows 7/8/10 as supported OS's. My questions are:

1. Can I run Linux (server and not desktop) in this CPU/Mobo combo?
2. Can I install 3 versions of Linux (RHEL 8, Cent OS 8, and Ubuntu Latest) in this machine?

My advance thanks!

You can run Linux. The "supported" OS versions just relate to drivers supplied by the motherboard manufacturer.
Can you install 3 Linux versions? Probably, but why? Install one as bare metal, then the other 2 as VMs.

 

[vns2k177]

You can run Linux. The "supported" OS versions just relate to drivers supplied by the motherboard manufacturer.
Can you install 3 Linux versions? Probably, but why? Install one as bare metal, then the other 2 as VMs.

Thank you very much. But is there any advantage in using VMs here? If so, any tips on how to do it?

 

[kanewolf]

Thank you very much. But is there any advantage in using VMs here? If so, any tips on how to do it?

I don't understand WHY you want three linux versions so I can't tell you if there are benefit or pitfalls.

 

[vns2k177]

I don't understand WHY you want three linux versions so I can't tell you if there are benefit or pitfalls.

I am a software architect. This is for comparing various versions and also for learning purpose.

 

[kanewolf]

I am a software architect. This is for comparing various versions and also for learning purpose.

Since most deployments today are VMs, I would put a thin KVM on bare metal and install ALL of them as VMs.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi,

I have an old Intel I7 3rd generation processor (I7 3770k). I am going to buy a Biostar H61MH V3 (no other mobos available for this processor) and 16GB RAM. The mobo spec at the Biostar site lists only windows 7/8/10 as supported OS's. My questions are:

1. Can I run Linux (server and not desktop) in this CPU/Mobo combo?
2. Can I install 3 versions of Linux (RHEL 8, Cent OS 8, and Ubuntu Latest) in this machine?

My advance thanks!

1. Yes
2. VMs are your friend

A host OS (Linux or Windows), and you can run multiple VMs simultaneously.

 

[Alabalcho]

Adding to @kanewolf and @USAFRet : Install a bare-metal hypervisor (check ProxMox, for example), then add your VMs - Windows, Linux etc. 16GB will limit the number of simultaneously running VMs, but if you got enough storage, you can play a lot.

 

[vns2k177]

Thank you all very much!

 

[Dean0919]

Hi,

I have an old Intel I7 3rd generation processor (I7 3770k). I am going to buy a Biostar H61MH V3 (no other mobos available for this processor) and 16GB RAM. The mobo spec at the Biostar site lists only windows 7/8/10 as supported OS's. My questions are:

1. Can I run Linux (server and not desktop) in this CPU/Mobo combo?
2. Can I install 3 versions of Linux (RHEL 8, Cent OS 8, and Ubuntu Latest) in this machine?

My advance thanks!

You still can get better motherboad like Z77 if you buy used ones. I just bought used Z77 from a local store for my wife's computer. She also has i7 3770k CPU. I found this local store who mainly focuses to sell used parts and if you take your computer to them and let them install part there, they seal your case and give you 1 month guarantee. So, if I were you, I would check local stores or local advertisements to by second hand motherboard.

 

[doolittle]

Since most deployments today are VMs, I would put a thin KVM on bare metal and install ALL of them as VMs.

fully agree, my retired game rig (i5-2500k on z68 / 16gb / r9 390 / 1Tb cheap sata ssd) running ubuntu 20.04.x can do it all, KVM (gui + cli), multipass (for ubuntu's cli / KVM manager), snap containers for docker, microk8s for devops - then can shut down and fire up steam... Very flexible