Question Server build advice < $AU2000 -- # of cores and reliability a big factor

[pjw]

Edit: Note: After numerous very helpful suggestions, the final build can be found here.
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Several years ago (10 or more!) I asked for advice here on building a reliable server. That server is still running but in need of an upgrade.

Approximate Purchase Date: by end of Feb, 2021
Budget Range: $AU2000 (approx $US1200?)

System Usage from Most to Least Important:Hosting several virtual servers performing a variety of tasks. continuously running.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade:Complete new system

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: https://www.pccasegear.com/ or https://www.umart.com.au/ or https://www.newegg.com/global/au-en/
(any local supplier will do, though)

Location: Australia.

Parts Preferences:
No brand preference, but nested virtualization, reliability and durability are important. In the past I have used a lot of ASUS parts.

Overclocking: no need

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution:
1920x1080

Additional Comments:
Dust is a problem -- a system that minimizes dust and/or makes cleaning easy would be great.
Want VMCS shadowing support in CPU if Intel (ie. a vPro CPU)
Need lots of cores (looking at core i9000 (10 cores, 20 threads)
Need full virtualization support in the Motherboard (note that VMCS Shadowing needs a vPro CPU but does not need vPro motherboard)
Decent amount of memory (32gb min, prefer 64)
1TB of storage. Note that disk will be backed up regularly.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading:
Need to run more VMs
Want to take advantage of nested virtualization

This is what I am considering, but I have no idea how reliable each of these is:

Intel Core i9 10900 Processor
https://www.pccasegear.com/products/50107/intel-core-i9-10900-processor

ASUS ROG Strix H470-I Gaming Motherboard
https://www.pccasegear.com/products/50319/asus-rog-strix-h470-i-gaming-motherboard

Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MHz CL16 DDR4
https://www.pccasegear.com/products/44143/corsair-vengeance-rgb-pro-32gb-2x16gb-3200mhz-cl16-ddr4

Thermaltake View 31 Tempered Glass ARGB Edition Mid Tower Case
https://www.pccasegear.com/products...31-tempered-glass-argb-edition-mid-tower-case

Thermaltake Smart BM2 Bronze 550W Power Supply
https://www.pccasegear.com/products/50963/thermaltake-smart-bm2-bronze-550w-power-supply

Intel 665p Series M.2 NVMe SSD 1TB
https://www.pccasegear.com/products/51346/intel-665p-series-m-2-nvme-ssd-1tb

Any advice would be really appreciated!

 

[Karadjgne]

Yes. Ypu can buy 1x32Gb. But thats where it gets messy.

Mainstream mobo's are 2 channel. A+B. Ram is every channel capable, if you use 1 stick, it's in single channel, 2x sticks (in the right ports) is dual channel, on enthusiast class mobo's 4x sticks (in the right ports) is quad channel.

Same with the ports, got to be right. 2x sticks in wrong ports is still single channel, 4x sticks in the wrong ports is still dual or flex channel.

Ram size adds. 1x4Gb + 1x4Gb = 8Gb. Bandwidth remains the same. (3200MHz x 8bits = 25.6Gb/s).
Channels adds bandwidth. (3200MHz x 8bits = 25.6Gb/s x 2 channels = 51.2Gb/s)

That can be an important factor when moving large file amounts. If you look at a server board, they have serious amounts of ram slots, just for that reason. Not only to have enough slots to maximize ram size, but to take advantage of the additions of quad channel ram. (128Gb x 8 = 1Tb. 2666MHz x 8bit = 21.3Gb/s, x4 channel = 85.3Gb/s.

Slower ram can move significantly more data in that case.

Many games use uber small files, only a few Kb to a few Mb per file, so single channel ram and dual channel ram sees little to no difference. It's in large file transfers, several Gb each file, that the bandwidth of dual channel gets obvious. You may not tax 16Gb with almost any game, too many small files easily/quickly replaced, but production or other large file use programs are slower to push, stay resident etc and you can not only need 64Gb, but the bandwidth size of dual or even quad channel ram.

You mobo is dual channel. With all 4 slots filled, it's still dual channel, A+B. Take advantage of freebies, stick with 2 or 4 sticks, 4 sticks has a few drawbacks as well though.

 

[pjw]

Interesting and detailed. Thanks!

 

[pjw]

As an addendum to this one...there were some issues:

1. The SF450 cables are too short for an ATX board, making it necessary to buy a bunch of cables (or cable extensions)

2. The MA410M does not have mounting brackets for the LGA1200 motherboard (despite the manufacturers site saying it's compatible. NVM, it does.

3. The huge fans on the MA410M obstruct the first RAM slot on the motherboard IF you use the memory specified in the build (it has large protruberant plastic at the top of the RAM).

Not an ideal set of outcomes for the build, but hopefully not insurmountable: the second set of memory needs to be small (no fancy LEDs). The cables are just $$$, but really annoying the Corsair don't give a return option or a cable type selection.