I'm planning an upgrade and am tempted to give running windows in a VM with a GPU passed through a go. However, I need some opinions on this route, as there's a significant difference in the two options (passthrough or ...pass) and I'm not sure which is best. I also need to understand VFIO / how VM's handle things better.
So, budget: ~1000 AUD, current parts (* marks parts I intend to re-use). Purpose: 3d modeling (polygonal, not cad, don't suggest workstation GPUs — mainly I need ram and vram, then CPU speed, then GPU speed).
i5-2500k
* CM H212+ cpu cooler (Need to check what sockets it supports)
16gb ddr3 ram
* R9 380 4gb (new-ish)
* Corsair RM 650x (new)
* 120gb SSD + 2 mech hdd's
Old NZXT Case
* Peripherals:
23" IPS
Headphones (3.5mm)
KB / Mouse / Intuos tablet
Plan A: GPU Passthrough
$ 269 - i5-6500
$ 155 - GA H170-HD3
$ 95 - CM Master Box case
$ 260 - 32 gb ddr4 ram (I need more than 16 regardless of passthrough or no)
-----------
= 779
This leaves the possibility of either a1) getting a 1050 ti** for the linux host instead of using the cpu's video output ($245) or a2) getting a second monitor. If I do that I could get the 1050 later down the line. I still need to look into VFIO more to find out how much of a hassle it would be to use one screen, plus a 2nd screen would make normal work smoother (less tabbing). I'm also not sure yet how audio would work between the host/guest with 3.5mm headphones, as well as best options for mouse/kb sharing.
** why 1050 ti? Several reasons, 1 in AU stores it's significant cheaper than 470 (250 vs 340), and 2, lower TDP (75 vs 110). I'm kicking myself for not spending the extra 20 on the corsair 750w, but so be it. And 3, some software I use plays better with nvidia, some with amd. Some software works on both windows and linux. So the flexibility of having each brand works in my favour. Anyway I don't need great performance on both host and guest, but extra vram is welcome.
Also I just noticed (option a3) that a store has the following deal: $600 for xeon 1230 E5, 16gb ram, mobo. + extra 129 for another 16gb for total $729, cheaper than i5 6500 build, less CPU options but better CPU to begin with (threads + higher clock). Does it make sense to consider Xeon over i5 for passthrough, or otherwise? Are there any non-obvious differences I need to consider? Higher TDP is one (80 vs i5's 65). Also the iGPU is disabled on the Xeon so this forces buying the 1050 with Plan A.
Plan B is very similar to plan A hardware wise, excluding the extra/new GPU. I see plan B like this:
+ Keep It Simple, Stupid
+ Cheaper, not potentially wasting performance
- Windows...
Other thoughts:
How much performance (CPU wise) would I lose with passthrough and half stuff running on a VM? What if it can't be halved like that, and 90% runs in the windows VM (like without getting the 1050?)
$129 for intel 600p m.2 ssd... (An indulgence, not worth it)
Why can't I re-use the case? I could, but my current r9 380 JUST fits in, and it's a massive pain to slot it in. Plus it's pretty rusted at fan ports etc, fair bit of dust gets in, very messy cables etc.
Could I just use linux natively and forget windows / dual boot? This might be a legitimate option, as all my vital software can work natively, I'd mostly lose out on minor things + new things that come out lacking linux support. The main problem here is GPU drivers in linux, with CCC I get bad perf in one program, with open source drivers a different program doesn't work. Both programs are vital. At least with passthrough I'd have flexibility to work around that stuff. Maybe I could sell r9 380 at a loss and get a nvidia gpu and hope like hell it plays nice with everything on linux... I'd still have to boot into windows for the odd game though.
Would it be viable to keep my 2500k, overclock like a boss, get more ram? Or would putting extra money into this be a lost cause? It's quite old and I'd rather not be screwed when something else dies.
Anyway, thanks for looking, hit me with any suggestions. I think I mainly need to figure out if a passthrough setup is worth the hassle in my situation.