Virtual Windows workstation run on a headless CentOS server running KVM with ...

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StephD

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Dec 17, 2013
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Build’s Name: Compact Silent Windows Workstation in a VM
Aka: Compact Silent Virtual Windows Workstation on Headless CentOS Host running KVM with VGA Passthrough

Operating System/ Storage Platform: CentOS 6 / DAS
http://www.centos.org/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230L v3
http://ark.intel.com/products/75053/Intel-Xeon-Processor-E3-1230L-v3-8M-Cache-1_80-GHz

Motherboard: ASRock E3C226D4I
http://www.asrock.com/server/overview.asp?Model=E3C226D2I
http://ark.intel.com/products/75522
Note: could use a E3C224D4I instead since VT-d support is confirmed but no vPro/AMT (though IPMI could be enough)

Chassis: Lian Li TU-200
http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-tu200/
Note: could use a BitFenix Prodigy instead as it seems more suitable for a fanless build

Drives: Intel SSD DC S3500
http://ark.intel.com/products/75679/Intel-SSD-DC-S3500-Series-160GB-2_5in-SATA-6Gbs-20nm-MLC

RAM: 8 GB • DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 72 • 8GB ECC
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=3B05C217A5CA7304
Note: still looking for a low profile alternative as most performance CPU coolers on Mini ITX motherboards require those

Add-in Cards: PNY Quadro NVS 300
http://www3.pny.com/NVIDIA-NVS-300-x1-for-Dual-DVI-or-Dual-VGA-Low-Profile--P2953C364.aspx
Note : mrkrad advices against ATI for VGA passthrough so this could be my ticket (needs confirmation)

Power Supply: Pico PSU most likely

Other Bits: One big CPU cooler

Usage Profile: Just about anything. Remote server administration mostly. I'm not into gaming or media streaming. I just need one good workstation I feel at home with. I'm tired of laptops. Oh and yes, I want absolute silence from this build.

Build isn't complete since some parts are missing (some aren't even decided yet). The motherboard is on backorder for instance. I'm not sure this case is suitable for a fanless build. I might end up replacing it by a BitFenix Prodigy.
 
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mrkrad

Well-Known Member
Oct 13, 2012
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I'd suggest an nvidia card (quadro or hacked quadro) - or hack the nvidia driver whitelist to use a geforce in pass-through. ATI is sketchy in passthrough.

Unless you like the whole host crashing when you reboot a vm ;)
 

StephD

Member
Dec 17, 2013
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Well thank you for the suggestion as indeed, I could use some stability on the host side. ;)

I was under the impression ATI was the way to go from some web research.

I obviously still need to figure things out and I'm a little worried those hacked cards could be hard to get by especially since fanless GPU cooling is a must for this build.
 

StephD

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Dec 17, 2013
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I just found this thread at CPU Cooling fan (quiet) | FreeNAS Community saying E3C226D4I video out works with non GPU Xeons even without a graphics card plugged in (leaving room for an extra disk controller).

If this is confirmed, this means most parts of this build would be suitable for an All in One solution as well which is a big deal for me since I need to be able to re-use parts as I tend to change my mind often.
 

StephD

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Dec 17, 2013
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Well this is great news for me since I was under the impression using non-GPU Haswell Xeon would result in no VGA out from this board. Thanks.
 

Patrick

Administrator
Staff member
Dec 21, 2010
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Yes the Aspeed AST2300 is there for the BMC and IPMI. That controller is what is giving video out.
 

StephD

Member
Dec 17, 2013
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Amazon order status chaged to "Preparing for Dispatch" today.

The following item will arrive after 25 Dec 2013.
Delivery estimate Monday 30 Dec 2013 - Tuesday 31 Dec 2013
ASRock E3C226D2I Server/Workstation Board (Socket 1150, Intel C226, DDR3, S-ATA 600, M-ITX)

This build project is slowly becoming real.
 

StephD

Member
Dec 17, 2013
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What do you guys think of ths mounting system ?

This is the mount systel that comes with the Noctua NH-U9B I have in mind (see picture a few posts ago).



I'm a little worried it might hurt the small capacitors all around to the socket



I just contacted Noctua support by email. Hopefully we'll soon know what they think.
 
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StephD

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Dec 17, 2013
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Somebody got a motherboard in the mail this morning.. Those small capacitors in picture look like totally different animals in person. They're very likely to get in the way of the CPU cooler mount.
 
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StephD

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Dec 17, 2013
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Haha alright well there is not much to see yet. This is what a tray processor looks like when you receive it.

 

StephD

Member
Dec 17, 2013
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Not a lot of parts are missing anymore since I shoud be receiving the CPU cooler this week (along with the 120W Pico PSU).

When I get this, if it actually fits the board and the case, then I'll see if it will let me use standard profile memory modules. I probably don't need ECC memory for this build which is good since only non-ECC memory seems to be available as low-profile modules.

Next thing I need to decide is storage. It needs to be SSD obviously due to the silent nature of this build but I don't know how much disk space I really need yet.

I believe I'll just be running 2 or 3 vms in the begining: Windows 8 pro, KXStudio (for music production), and probably that LFS thing I never finished. Maybe I just use this low end 120Gb Kingston thing I ordered last month by mistake.

I'll probably be starting an AIO project soon anyway for infrastructure needs. It will be based on an earlier genertion Proliant Microserver and second hand 320Gb SATA drives. This is where actual storage will happen.
 
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StephD

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Dec 17, 2013
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Maybe I'll try a bigger cooler next time. Anyway, now off to the Crucial online store !