Cpu for virtualization

[MTrev]

Hello!

I'd like to assemble a pc which has to deal with these two tasks (in order of importance):

1. running multiple virtual machine instances in a virtual test lab.
2. running finite element simulations by using Autodesk Inventor.

The problem is that I don't know which CPU to choose between the i7-3770K and i7-3770.

( seehttp://ark.intel.com/compare/65719,65523 http://ark.intel.com/compare/65719,65523 for the comparison).

The i7-3770K is designed for over-clocking and I think the extra speed I'd get from over-clocking would help with the FEM simulations. However, K version does not support VT-d technology which leads to faster I/O and improved processor utilisation while dealing with VMs.

Since running multiple VMs will be the main task in my new pc, which CPU do you recommend? Is i7-3770 the best one?

Thanks in advance for the help!

I apologize for my English…I'm from Italy!

[FGonz6 · Accepted solution]

Intel® Core™ i7-3770K doesnt support VT-d (Virtualization with Directed I/O) and this is a feature allows you to assign hardware to a VM (i.e. I can assign a NIC port to one of the VM). So if you are looking for this type of feature you may want to look at the Intel Core i7-3770 or the Intel Xeon® E3s.

You may want to access this link for further information about this feature:

http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/intel-virtualization-technology-for-directed-io-vt-d-enhancing-intel-platforms-for-efficient-virtualization-of-io-devices http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/intel-virtualization-technology-for-directed-io-vt-d-enhancing-intel-platforms-for-efficient-virtualization-of-io-devices

Regards,