I just built my super machine. A Ryzen 7 2700X. Eight cores, clock of 3.7-4.3G. Since I plan on running multiple VMs, I installed 32GB of RAM. I named it Leviathan.
Since I don’t really speak Linux and am only marginal in VM architecture, I will have many future questions for the tinkering gurus.
To start -
#1 - The supplied Wraith CPU cooler is obnoxiously loud. Is this normal or do I have a lemon. The noise doesn’t really matter since it will be in the rack in the cellar; just want to make sure it will last. I suppose I could go with water cooling. Sure glad I replaced the 7 case fans with Noctua ().
My VMs will eventually be a WIN10 media server VM running RoonServer, JShiver (video only), Plex, and whatever else fits that category, a pfSense VM, an Android VM, and possibly a FreeNAS (or whatever) VM.
#2 - Win10 can be upgraded to be a VM host. Comments on whether that would be efficient enough to run multiple VMs. My suspicion is that it won’t be.
#3 - What would be a good VM host. Ubuntu is always a choice. I’ve been reading that Qube is as close to bare metal as one can get. Any other candidates?
Thanks for comments.
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Bill_Janssen
(Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)
2
I have a similar setup (Ryzen 7 2700, 32 GB). I used a fanless cooler and fanless power supply, though. Works fine as long as the case fans work (which they do, I replaced the stock fans with Noctua PWM fans as well). Completely silent unless I’m ripping something.
I’m using Xubuntu as the host OS. Past experience is that it works well as a VM host (I use VirtualBox).
I’ve always used bigger cases for my main machine. My current machine is in a SilverStone Tenjen. The extra space is nice for large hands. Small enclosures can be a PIA. Also, cable management is much much easier. Especially in this case. Corsair 680x.
I usually use Gigabyte boards at work. The last update to my main machine, I threw in an Asus. Now, I’m back to Gigabyte, it is the Designare z390. Nice board, check it out.
I pulled the trigger during Amazon Prime days as almost all the parts on my wish list went on hefty sale.
Yes, and a particularly bad experience can taint future purchase decisions. Luckly, I’ve never had an issue with a gigabyte board.
But, I remember when Seagate had their run of bad HD batches. Never bought a Seagate again and have stuck with WD (for spinning drives since). Fun factoid, one of my drives in my current case is a 500 GB Raptor. Sadly, it will not be migrating to the new one.
Finished project. Tempered glass installed. There are some differences from the mid-build pic posted earlier. Just need to re-load all my software as this is a ground up fresh OS install. ( I feel those are needed every so often, :L)
In the end stayed away from fanless because I’ll be pushing this CPU hard and will be in Turbo Boost mode at all times and I went with a class leading big Noctua fan. There’s 3 models suitable for overclocking the 9900K (I won’t be overclocking but will be in Turbo Boost mode all the time). I picked the smallest (lightest) of those suitable
I went with a boring looking big Fractal Design Define R6 case. No windows to look inside - I know, yawn.
Doing some really CPU intensive stuff with HQPlayer, the 9 case fans and PSU fan and Noctua fan aren’t anywhere near as loud as I thought. It still won’t be inside the listening room but in the room next door (even both doors open), don’t hear anything at all.
The case and Seasonics 750W PSU are locked and loaded for adding an RTX 2080 Ti when I choose to push to the button
Whew, big bucks, big horses. I’d have serious concerns building something with that kind of outlay, just from the trouble shooting potential.
Yeah, I have 5 120mm and 2 80 mm fans with the case. One 120 mm in the hot swap unit and the fan in the PSU. All Noctua replacements, except for PSU, and all whisper quiet. The CPU fan I can hear from the next room. Very annoying. As soon as I get everything setup BIOS wise and am able to log in remotely then it’s going down cellar.
).
