APU for virtualization?

[sandrock]

I'm trying to decide on an A10-5800K vs FX-8320 for a small virtualization server. I would only be running maybe 4-6 VM's at any given time, this is for a home testing/research lab, so performance isn't crucial or anything. I can build a full system using the APU for about $200 less than the full-fledged FX cpu. Does anyone see anything wrong with using the APU for this purpose or have a real world recommendation?

 

[Automata]

What are these virtual machines going to be doing? If there is even a moderate processor load, I would get the FX unless there is less of a difference between the two processors than I think.

If they are going to be sitting idle or you absolutely don't care about the speed, go cheap. I don't have experience with those AMD processors, but my main file server is running two eight core G34 AMD Magny-Cours currently running six virtual machines.

 

[ssjwizard]

Id have to second what thinderas says here. If they are going to be casual load then go for the APU, they lack the l3 cache so they are a bit slower clock for clock(in some workloads) than an FX but are still pretty potent chips.

 

[sandrock]

I do IT work, so this is just my playground for trying out new software, testing things so I don't have to test things on our production network at work, studying for new certifications, etc. I'd be running two domain controllers, a member server, windows 7 client day to day, with maybe an additional server or two depending on what I'm playing around with at the time .

 

[MediaJunky]

Pretty much as the other guys say.

The APU's all support AMD-V and therefore are suitable for running a hypervisor. If its just for learning / testing then a quad core fusion CPU would be fine. If you plan any load whatsoever then FX.

We have a fusion laptop at work and we run a few virtual machines on that for demo's etc, its always been fine.

 

[Dlaw]

What about a Phenom II chip? The 965 BE is only $100, and has an L3 cache.

 

[ssjwizard]

Phenom II chips do not support all of the instructions on the newer chips, if hes specifically attempting to test newer virtualizable software a PH-II would be a step in the wrong direction.