Question : Hardware Spec for Virtual Server and multiple Virtual Machines

Hi friends,

I would like to build/buy a desktop PC with a hardware spec, which should allow me to install Virtual Server (ESX, Oracle VM, etc) and setup multiple virtual machines to run concurrently. Basically to setup and SIT environment or something like this in my deskop pc to play around and learn new suite of products install/configuration on Linux platform
Ex below 5 VMs:
Install oracle 2 node RAC database
Install OID,
Install Weblogic server
Install Fusion Middleware
Etc.

My request is:
1. Could you suggest a good hardware spec to support above scenario please? For example: CPU (i7 960, Xeon, etc), HDD 10k rpm, Memory? I can spend 1.5 – 2.5K USD (also I don’t need Highend Graphics card, monitor)
2. Is windows 7 ultimate good enough for the desktop?
3. Any other suggestions/advise that I need to be mindful?
4. Any pointers to reference material etc.

Anything would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Answer : Hardware Spec for Virtual Server and multiple Virtual Machines

It would be more cost effective to buy yourself a entry level server.

For example the HP Proliat ML330 will support upto 196Gb of RAM which is where you will struggle with a desktop PC, see here: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/15351-15351-241434-241646-241477-3948598.html