Best PC Build for Virtualization?

Budget for CPU + Mobo $400. 

Both need to be VT-D or AMD Equivalent:/ supported.

 

Edit: Micro/ mini atx/itx preferred :. I want to keep this build small. i plan to use corsair carbide air case

 

I cant seem to find a good combo that support these features. anyone?

More PCI express x1 slots = better. just want the best bang for buck. xen or esxi will be installed on this, for testing purpose and misc stuff :). JUST NEED CPU AND MOBO. links appreciated newegg or amazon idc where in murica though.

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

The problem with AMD in mATX or ITX forms is the biggest processor you can get that runs stable is pushing it with a FX 6300 and of course you won't be overclocking it on a mATX board... you'll certainly have to move to a solid ATX board with good powerphase design to chase after a FX8320/50 (which is what I would generally recommend for virtualization on a budget)...

So moving on, the i7's, Xeons, and i5's all support VT-D... the i7's and Xeons, however, run virtualization much more efficiently... The Xeon is a nice sweet spot for you since you likely don't want to overclock too much regardless in a system that could develop heat issues in confined areas, and it lays in the general price of an i5 with i7 performance... you will need some sort of GPU to to run anything with it, however...

I picked that mobo to maximize PCI slots/$$$... it's Xfire capable, feature packed, and cheap... if you were looking for:

a decent mobo upgrade: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5... You won't be able to use some of the features of Z97 since you can't overclock a Xeon, but that's the price difference for a step up to a mATX board that will run both SLI and Xfire...

This would be up there with the ultimate mATX mobo, but at this point you might as well just get the unlocked i7 so you can use it: Asus GRYPHON Z97

As for ITX solutions, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed with the flexibility of PCI slots on them...

Did you check to make sure the the MOBO supports IOMMU? Many gaming motherboards are known to have bad/missing support workstation boards are normally better for it.

yes definitely double check all the specs and even the manuals of a Z97 gaming board, before you buy it.

Indeed there "can" be gaming boards that dont support VT-D.

with your advice or anyone elses. do you think im asking to much for a micro atx build in this situation? 

I looked into the gigabyte manual and there is a option for vt-d http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_ga-z97mx-gaming5_e.pdf. 

However if im already pushing possible compatibility with micro forms. I may aswell go for a atx build and a more common motherboard / chip that supports virtualization .

in this case what mobo + chip would you recommend. bang for buck out of curiosity. $400 budget. 

Btw i do have dedicated gpus thats not a problem.  

I started questioning my recommendations and went looking at even the cheapest of the cheap mobos and haven't come across a H97 or Z97 chipset that doesn't have options for Intel Virtualization Technology... I'm not saying there isn't one that doesn't support it, and I'm not going to peruse through 100 manuals to prove the theory... but I didn't find one... 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hGsmNG

That'd get the job done... and yes it supports it as well... ftp://66.226.78.21/manual/Fatal1ty%20H97%20Performance.pdf

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97mpro4

That also works if you want a Xfire capable mATX board that supports VT-D... at well underneath your budget...

 

if you just have the $400 already set aside and want to use it all, I'd look at something along these lines...

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/74Qyqs

few dollars over budget for the flexibility of being able to overclock (and an iGPU you won't use)... 

 

Generally with a full ATX board, you're getting better VRM cooling and more PCI lanes... yes, your case will be bigger, but that also makes it easier to work in and in general has better airflow... AND if you're going full ATX you could look into a 990 chipset and a FX8320 at a good bit less than the price of a Xeon/H97 option... just don't buy the cheapest motherboard you see for an AMD 8-core... 

AMD option:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dp27P6

the 8 cores are great for virtualization, they just don't make decent motherboards in small form factors... the downside to AM3+ is that it's a dead socket which leaves you with no upgrade path... if you plan on playing CPU-intensive games like ARMA3 it also has it's limitations there... excellent choice for A/V processing outside of Adobe suite, which seems to be optimized for Intel... It IS a 3 year old platform, and in general vs. a Xeon or i7 will show it's age in benchmarks, but it's fantastic bang for buck with virtualization in mind and I've heard a lot of Linux users prefer them... of course all AMD processors are unlocked and can overclock...

 

To directly answer your question... you're not pushing any limitations going with mATX, you're just limiting your PCI lanes which you seem to be fond of, and are forced into Intel for decent computing power... hope I helped :)