I built a PC for a home lab without really doing the proper research first and now I am going back to ask for advice. My intended usage is to experiment around with ESXi/vSphere, set up a domain controller, media server/sql for xbmc/plex, ftp server, AFP server for Time Machine backups, and some other experimental Windows servers. Here is what I have:
Intel 4770k
ASUS Z87 Gryphon micro ATX motherboard
12GB DDR3 1600 (for now, will go to 32GB once sales pop up)
3ware / LSI 9750-8i RAID controller with 4x 2TB Hitachi SATA drives in RAID 5 (already had these or else would have used 3-4TB drives).
-I also bought an Intel Gigabit CT desktop PCI-e NIC card after reading that ESXi would not pick up on the integrated Intel card, which is why I got looking into motherboard compatibility in the first place.
So my questions are:
- I'm still within Fry's electronics return policy for the motherboard but not for long. Should I return this board and order a different one? I need micro ATX per the case I have and would like to keep.
- My main desktop PC has a 3770k with ASUS Z77 Deluxe motherboard. I know the 4770k is probably overkill but I got a good deal on it and will repurpose it after I'm done with this, but would the 3770k/Z77 mobo be better compatibility for ESXi?
- Is it possible to install Windows as my base OS for this system, install VMware Workstation with ESXi as a guest, and then connect the RAID controller or just the RAID volume itself to ESXi? Or should I install on a USB flash drive like others seem to?
Open to any suggestions. Thanks!