Need recommendaton to build a system for running 6 Virtual Machines

[mawundaga]

I currently have a small server I build two years ago with
CPU: 1 x ($269.99 ) CPU AMD|OPT X8 6128 2.0G G34 RT - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819105266

Board: 1 x ($254.99 ) SERVER_MB SUPERMICRO|H8SGL-F R

Case: CM Storm - http://www.microcenter.com/product/426337/CM_STORM_TROOPER_FT_SW_BK

4 x ($79.99) Kingston 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Registered DDR3 1333 Server Memory Model KVR1333D3D4R9S/8G $159.98


This machine simply lost it's power some months ago and I can't figure out what went wrong. I am readyu to upgrade - maybe using some parts from this two year old machine.

I run Oracle Virtualbox and databases - some times in about 6 VMs simultaneously. What can you suggest. I have about $1500 - $1800 to spend.

Thanks
Mac

 

[sadams04]

For six VMs you could get by either of the rigs below. Focus on the disk solution rather than on a server class CPU and memory. For comparison, I regularly run four or five VMs on a non-overclocked i5. The two builds below offer more multithreaded CPU power and would be just fine with what you are after. I could easily spend the rest of your money, but I don't feel it is needed.

CPU - You could go with the Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3, but then you would need a GPU. The i7 offers an integrated GPU, a higher boost clock rate, and the ability to overclock for even more performance.
CPU Cooler - Just because you won't want to add one later when / if you decide to overclock.
MB - Z97, but if you want to go with the Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 you can go with the H97 platform.
STORAGE - The 256GB is for your OS and apps, while the smaller SSD are for separation of your VMs (2 per SSD). You could move those to a pair of 256GB and run three per SSD. Your call... just don't expect to run a bunch of VMs on one SSD / HD at the same time and expect performance.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($326.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($103.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1060.90


...same idea as the Intel build above, however the AMD setup could offer better multithreading processing for your parallel VMs. Give the build below a mild overclock to 4.5GHz and don't look back.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($96.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($140.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($103.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 720 1GB Video Card ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $927.86