VM Ware is one of the most taxing application I can think off, when it comes to computers .....apart from ofcourse different high ended games. I have my desktop built specifically for virtualization and gaming. I use VMWare and Hyper-V mainly for all my virtualization needs. and have a HD5850x2 crossfire for all gaming.
If you are serious about virtualization then there is one thing you cannot afford to have dearth off and that is the RAM. More the better faster the better, plain thumb rule. Next comes your HDD, again faster the better, coz running VM machines from a slower HDD makes all the experience irritating.... when you tend to run 4,5 VM all at one time. Last is the processor, Mobo and other aspects. Since you would run your system for long time 3-4 days a quality PSU is also recommended. 25K is a tight budget but then again it always is I guess.
First what I have so that you can have a fair comparison ...
Proc :: i7 2600K
Mobo :: Asus P8P67
RAM GSkill 16GB 1600Mhz
Primary HDD :: SSD 64 GB
PSU :: Corsair TX750
This alone cost me a bomb at that time ..... but prices have come down as well. I would not change much in my recommendation, but if you really want a smooth VM experience ...... probably this is what we can go for ...
Processor :: i5 2500 (2500K if you plan to overclock)
Mobo :: I will keep same since the price of Asus P8P67 has come down else new chips include Z68,Z77,H77 but all comes at a price ..... stick ot ASUS though, worth the price ... rock solid performance for years to come .... My HTPC (which was my main PC prior to i7) has ASUS P5B Delux and its running solid since 6 years now ...
RAM :: Dont compromise on this.... min 16GB 1600 Mhz, if possible 32GB (go for Gskill, Corsair, Mushkin) ... trust me if you run short of ram your system will just clog and run like snail even if you have the fastest processor and an SSD ...
Not sure what you would be using the VM ware for, but I have a complete lab created with Windows AD environment on 2008/2012 server for all kind of experiments, and min RAM I allocate to have a smooth exp is 3-4 GB per machine and with 4 machine its like 12GB gone easily .... so you see ....
HDD :: If possible get an SSD, your VM will fly if you create your VM on SSD. else get a HDD with good cache atleast 64mb. and 7200RPM ...... WD is good, but usually its available in 5200 RPM anyway try if you can get one.
PSU :: Corsair TX650 ...... dont compromise on this as well since you will be running your system for 3-4 days .... plus make sure you have a decent UPS to have a clean shut down incase of power cut .....
Let me know your thoughts .....
Regards
Sammy
