Compact lab/hydration host

[Raffles]

I already run a modified HP ML110 G7 to handle my 'production' VM's (DC, TV recorder, storage, etc) and I have accumulated four N40/N54 Microservers to 'play' with in recent years. However for some scenarios such as a hydration lab host or a portable test environment I'm starting to think something with lots of cores and RAM in a Microserver-size package (with a carry handle ) is the way to go.

I see CPU's such as this on Ebay:-
Intel Xeon E5-2650 8 Core 2.00GHz 8.00GTs 20MB L3 Cache Socket LGA2011 Processor 5032037019811 | eBay

Or this:-
Intel Xeon E5 2628L V4 QS 1.9Ghz 30MB 12Core LGA2011-3 75W 14nm 24Threads CPU | eBay

Combined with something like a Supermicro X10SRM-F, 64GB+ RAM and a couple of SSD's in a mATX cube case they look useful.

Any thoughts on these CPU's or similar? Warnings? Gotchas?

Thanks,

P.

 

[Marsh]

If you search "Xeon D" in this forum and STH main site, you will find hundreds of example.
Your wallet may not like me.

 

[Raffles]

If you search "Xeon D" in this forum and STH main site, you will find hundreds of example.
Your wallet may not like me.

Thanks for that. I'm well aware of the Xeon-D options thanks to the coverage on STH (which I've been reading for a number of years) but as you point out they are still somewhat pricey.

8 core (X10SDV-8C+-LN2F) is over £900 here in the UK
VS
Xeon E5-2650 8 Core (£44 on Ebay) + X10SRM-TF (£434 new) = £478

Granted the latter option will use more power but its not intended for full-time use so I'm not so worried about that. Against that I get the option to increase the core count if a suitable Ebay bargain appears and I won't be limited to 128GB (if it ever becomes a problem).

Did you have any thoughts/suggestions regarding my original question?

P.

 

[Marsh]

Xeon E5-2650 8 Core (£44 on Ebay) + X10SRM-TF (£434 new) = £478

X10SRM board is for LGA2011 v3 and v4 CPU, I assume the E5-2650 (£44 on Ebay) is v1 , may be that is why so cheap.

E5-2650 or E5-2650L (v3 or v4 )is good choice between cost vs power vs speed.

Before I go to bed, I search Ebay for cheap stuff. I was lucky to purchased 7 x E5-2650 v3 (QS ) , 1 E5-2650 v4 , 1 E5-2650L v3 production chip , E5-2650L v3 ES for approx US $110-$135 each.

Good luck.

 

[Evan]

My only thoughts on the original question are for anything other than pure playing in a lab environment do you want the potential issues of pre production chips. Ok they are not ES but still.

V4 chips should use less power but at then end of the day all the e5's are substantially better than the chips that came before them especially in idle situations.

 

[Raffles]

I assume the E5-2650 (£44 on Ebay) is v1

Thank you, that's what I missed.

Before I go to bed, I search Ebay for cheap stuff. I was lucky to purchased 7 x E5-2650 v3 (QS ) , 1 E5-2650 v4 , 1 E5-2650L v3 production chip , E5-2650L v3 ES for approx US $110-$135 each.

There does seem to lots of good deals on your side of the pond but I'll probably stick to UK sellers given the uncertainty over getting stung with import duties, VAT, etc. And its easier to go after them if the goods are not as described.

My only thoughts on the original question are for anything other than pure playing in a lab environment do you want the potential issues of pre production chips. Ok they are not ES but still.

I was aware of "ES" but wasn't sure what "QS" meant. Having looked it up it would probably be fine for my purposes.

P.

 

[Jon Massey]

For a lab, I'd get the v4 QS over the v1 - your bang-per-watt will be far far better as it's 3 generations on.

 

[Marsh]

E5-2628L v4 QS is pretty good in today limited supply , 30MB of L3 cache and 12 cores.

For balance between CPU cost , vs power usage vs performance.
I like E5-2650L v4 is better, but it is harder to find today with a reasonable price.
E5-2650L v4 has 14 cores for severing multiple VMs in the lab.

Either E5-2628L v4 or E5-2650L v4 CPU would do fine in your lab, just load it up with lots lots of RAM.

Add: E5-2658 v3 or v4 is good for lab, when you could find one with a reasonable price.