[PLUG] Barebones desktop evaluation

[MJang]

On Fri, 2008-12-26 at 13:57 -0800, M. Edward (Ed) Borasky wrote:
> MJang wrote:
> > Folks, 
> > 
> > I'm getting to the point where my desktop (which really should be a
> > server) is getting creaky. Well, I need to be able to set up hardware
> > virtualization on something other than my laptop. 
> > 
> > In this boxing day search, I've found this tempting offer
> > www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4353543&CatId=333 
> > 
> > Yeah, I should add a cooling fan to this, but it looks like I can pretty
> > much just transfer hard drives and be ready to go with this. Sure I wish
> > this motherboard could handle 8GB, but I think 4GB should be sufficient
> > for a bunch of 256MB VMs. Not like I'm planning to run Vista.  
> > 
> > The thing I'm not sure about is the motherboard, an EVGA e-7050/610i. 
> > www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4245906&sku=E145-2050&srkey=E145-2050 
> > 
> > though http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/EVGA_nForce_e-7050_610i seems
> > promising.
> > 
> > Perhaps there's an alternative local source, now that I'm almost ready
> > to drive without chains (which seem to limit me to 10mph).
> 
> I got my desktop built at CompUsa when they still had a store here. But
> I ended up with a Gigabyte motherboard and an AMD Athlon64 X2 processor,
> not an Intel one. I'd recommend spending the extra bucks for the 8 GB if
> you can, and you'll probably want to go for a full 64-bit distro. If
> your current desktop is a 32-bit one, just moving the hard drives
> "should work" but it might not be worth the troubleshooting time if it
> doesn't. :)
> 
> What virtualization are you going to use? VirtualBox? Xen? KVM? Qemu?
> The free ESXi?
> 

Hi Ed, 

I need to be able to run Xen or KVM, and already run 64-bit Ubuntu
server (so hardware virtualization is a must). I'd love to find a decent
deal on some equivalent mobo kit which could handle 8GB. Can you suggest
one?

Thanks,
Mike