Welcom ifccnb!
Will try answering a few questions.
1. Yes on Windows 7. I actually have two nodes running x64 Windows 7.
2. Easier. Log in via IPMI and remote mount the OS image and install via remote KVM. Give it power and network setup and you can administer remotely.
3. Very true on benchmarks. I'm thinking of doing a dual L5520, dual L5530 v. dual L5638 test to see if the price differential is worth it (for AES maybe makes sense)
4. Some of the 6-core 5600's are not that bad. L5520's are very inexpensive though. We have a CPU/ memory thread for these: http://forums.servethehome.com/grea...-xeon-lga1366-cloud-inexpensively-thread.html
5. Not enough time to tell yet. One major advantage is that for under $300 you can basically get a near complete spare kit. Folks here have lots of spares which may help you one day.
Will try answering a few questions.
1. Yes on Windows 7. I actually have two nodes running x64 Windows 7.
2. Easier. Log in via IPMI and remote mount the OS image and install via remote KVM. Give it power and network setup and you can administer remotely.
3. Very true on benchmarks. I'm thinking of doing a dual L5520, dual L5530 v. dual L5638 test to see if the price differential is worth it (for AES maybe makes sense)
4. Some of the 6-core 5600's are not that bad. L5520's are very inexpensive though. We have a CPU/ memory thread for these: http://forums.servethehome.com/grea...-xeon-lga1366-cloud-inexpensively-thread.html
5. Not enough time to tell yet. One major advantage is that for under $300 you can basically get a near complete spare kit. Folks here have lots of spares which may help you one day.