Thanks for the tip, that's exactly where I'm headed! The last computer I got was about 6 months ahead of the hardware-virtualization instructions. I now have an RFQ out for a virtualization platform. Since you have already been there, I would welcome any suggestions you might have. The options I am considering include:

• MSI P45 Neo -- LGA775 package, DDR2 memory
• MSI P45 Diamond -- LGA 775 package, DDR3 memory
• MSI E7520 Master -S2M Dual Xeon
• MSI K8D Master3-133-FA4R Dual AMD Opteron

I have not looked at Dual Xeon or Dual Opteron systems before. That was recommended by one of the guys at the systems integrator. I really don't understand why the memory in their specs is so much slower than the others.

My primary interest is in Linux hosting of the virtual systems, so I was inclined to go with a straight Intel CPU and chipset, to get the best availability of drivers. I just took a look at the ASUS website, and I find it very frustrating. Here are 3 products:

• ASUS Z7S WS
• ASUS P5E
• unprintable

I went after the third one to point out to you, and got Sorry! We are undergoing website maintenance ... Anyway, I find the ASUS description has lots of pretty promotional text and graphics but it omits the stuff I want to know. For example, it tells me its memory speed, but not how much memory it can support! I also want a system that can host a minimum of 6 sATA and 2 IDE hard drives. Again, I am unable to find the information. It is not clear that the promotional material even applies to the motherboard to which it is attached. For example, the F5E is a pure Intel system, yet it is claimed to have AMD CrossFire graphics.

Reply

Ya, usually I never go with OEMs because they have funny hardware that gets to become an issue when you're not running Windows. This is the reason why I build all my systems with ASUS motherboards and compatible parts. Never had a broken ASUS build nor do I hope I will ever have a broken ASUS part.

As for having multiple operating systems, I just virtualize them all. Just get a good dual core or quad core, and you'll be fine to virtualize the extra operating systems if you don't need 3D support.

xboxrulz

Reply

For the lurkers out there, this is a textbook example of why I no longer buy Dell, E-Machines, HP, etc. I go to a system integrator and spec the motherboard and CPU, then cannibalize the generic parts from another computer. Usually, but not always, costs less, since monitor, power supply, etc. get reused.

I used to get Gigabyte motherboards, but I've had one die, and another one is dying now, both with pregnant capacitors. More recently, I've been using MSI motherboards. They keep older ones available for both lower price and compatibility, and they also carry cutting edge boards. They support both Intel and AMD.

Anyway, all my computers are multi-boot. That used to be easy with Power Quest's Boot Magic, but those guys got greedy and drove away their customers. With XP and Vista it gets harder, because of the security features built in. Late-model MSI motherboards have a "Live Update 2 " BIOS that is very customizable. It has a "fast boot" option that makes it almost impossible to interrupt. I disable that first With a more normal boot, hitting F11 gives you a list of the installed drives (I have 5, including 3 in swappable bays, plus a DVD drive), and you can choose at that time to boot from any of them.

If you want to easily multiboot from a single drive, consider Terabyte BING (Boot-It Next Generation). The folks there have a really elegant solution to multiboot, which does much more than anything else I have seen (but it isn't free). I use it in conjunction with an MSI motherboard, and currently have it booting 8 different OSs in this machine.

Reply