Dual GPU Pass-thru LAN Box

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herby

Active Member
Aug 18, 2013
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I was able to pass on-board USB controller to first VM. And have additional PCI-e x1 controoler for second VM.

UPD: Last watercooling parts was sent to me at Friday, so expect everything here at next week. In addition i did find fullcover waterblock for second 6950 for 15$. Not sure yet, maybe order it just to have :)
Highpoint has some cool PCIe x4 cards with 2 - 4 independent controllers you could passthough individually. A bit more expensive than a x1 card though.
 

Boris

Member
May 16, 2015
86
14
8
Got my parcel today. Will going to build it today/tommorow. But here is things i was waiting for.
IMG_9506.jpg IMG_9509.jpg
Waterblock with installed Narrow ILM mounting plate and Pump/Reservoir combo for single 5.25 bay with installed DDC pump heatsink. Not sure yet is it fit case with heatsink, but hope it will.
 
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Boris

Member
May 16, 2015
86
14
8
I did assembly last evening and at night 12h long leak test was succesfully passed:
IMG_9540.jpg IMG_9543.jpg
Here is how it looks:
IMG_9548.jpg IMG_9549.jpg
Alwasys hard to take a shoots if you have not enough space inside and can't deliver enough light:
IMG_9552.jpg IMG_9553.jpg IMG_9560.jpg IMG_9562.jpg IMG_9563.jpg
And this is how "Summer PC" looks at it usual place. Between AV reciever and my DIY NAS:
IMG_9571.jpg

Also i use RAID10 4x90Gb = 180Gb and additional old 750Gb notebook HDD for additional storage.
So both VM will get around 80Gb SSD space for system + additional 350Gb from notebook HDD.
Decide to keep 2Tb WD Se for my main computer and has no way to connect SAS WD XE, because raid controller just 4 ports and no SAS on motherboard.

Will install software at weekend and later, when will have free time.
 
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Boris

Member
May 16, 2015
86
14
8
Yes, i think to buy some kind of grill. All my Watercool radiators have defect fins. (i have 3x480mm total)
 

Boris

Member
May 16, 2015
86
14
8
I have some update, but no graphs/sheets.
I skip pfSense installation, because VM there i passed my WiFi adapter put my host into endless reboot. I was too smart to put instan run VM after host boot. So i goes endless reboot after load. So after i remove WiFi adapter i return host back to normal. I has no will to check while it happens, so i decide to use physical access point this time.

Regarding how my gaming VMs work - it's work pretty nice.
I am impressed how ESXi isolate cores between VM's. I made heavy 100% load (non-synthetic, multiple game clients) for 4 cores in one VM and feel nothing about it in second VM. Lets say while i goes mad in one machine i play GTA5 at other machine.

I feel zero input lag with wireless keyboard and XBOX360 gamepad.

Just note for my self what it was really horrible idea to put old 750Gb 2.5" notebook hard drive as additional storage for VM.
If i start install anything at both machines i notice huge loading lag for anything else i may run from that disk.
I should put WD Se 2Tb there, but was lazy to disassemble computer after installing water cooling.

And one more issue, my old 6950 for unknown reason do not wish to show picture on my 3440x1440 display via DP, so i use HDMI and it's laggy. I even think it may be 30Hz, or do not know. Second machine work perfect via HDMI at 22" FullHD display. Graphic card detect connection to display over DP, but i see no picture. It's a bit sad, but i hope it's because old graphic card. I still look forward for Summer PC 2.0 with my current 290X's which i plan to upgrade during next year.

I was also too lazy to benchmark and compare with baremetal (i have some results from baremetal with benchmarks i did), but still planning to do it after vacation.
 

Alfa147x

Active Member
Feb 7, 2014
193
39
28
Cool project! Do you have information about how you're connecting back to your house where the vmware server is housed? I'm looking to do something similar as a traveling consultant. My concern is that my quality of gaming will be affected by bandwidth bottle neck. My home connection is 65 up but only 5 down.