Laptop CPU for virtualization.

[hwmgr]

I am confused b/w Intel Core i7 3612QM & Intel Core i5 3210M.
I'll mostly use the laptop for network testing and penetration, so i would run Windows 2008 server, linux, on Virtual Machines (VMware or virtualbox), and may run 2 or more VM's at same time.
What processor should i select & will it make a huge impact from i5 to i7?
I'll be having 8GB ram.

 

[WR2]

Both can do the job.

The quad core CPU will probably give you better performance overall if you have a heavy workload on the VMs.

 

[hwmgr]

Both can do the job.

The quad core CPU will probably give you better performance overall if you have a heavy workload on the VMs.

I'm just not sure that can an i5 handle windows server 2008?? As i said, i'll be doing some security tests running simultaneously on host machine, so host machine will also need some processing power?

If i am not wrong, i5 has two physical cores and 4 threads (logical Core), and i have to denote one physical core to the VM, would one core will be enough to run Windows Server 2008?

 

[WR2]

I'm sure i5 can handle Windows Server 2008.
Have you looked at System Requirements? They're very low.

Windows Server 2008 System Requirements
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb414778.aspx

 

[WR2]

and i have to denote one physical core to the VM

That's an option, not a requirement.
For what you describe use the default settings and let Windows decide how to use cores and threads.

 

[hwmgr]

ok, can you tell me how many vm's can this i5 handle simultaneously??

 

[WR2]

With 8GB of RAM? 512MB RAM per VM plus 2GB RAM for native OS?
Probably 10-12. But the performance might suffer.

 

[hwmgr]

With 8GB of RAM? 512MB RAM per VM plus 2GB RAM for native OS?
Probably 10-12. But the performance might suffer.

and in the comparison to i7, what benefits can i expect?

 

[WR2]

Core i7 laptop could handle the same amount but it should have better performance (4 cores, 8 threads of course).

 

[WR2]

What's the price difference between the 2 CPUs?

 

[hwmgr]

Core i7 laptop could handle the same amount but it should have better performance (4 cores, 8 threads of course).

will the VM's stutter under i7?
i5: $225
i7: $378

 

[WR2]

i5-3210M to i7-3610QM upgrade I'm seeing $70

 

[WR2]

will the VM's stutter under i7?

It's possible they might.
Depending on the number of VMs, the workload of the VMs and workload of the native OS.

 

[hwmgr]

i5-3210M to i7-3610QM upgrade I'm seeing $70

well, i have a choice b/w these two laptops:

Dell Inspiron 15R Special Edition with i5. (will upgrade it to 8GB).
Dell Inspiron 15R Special Edition with i7.

So, can't have $70 upgrade.. 🙁

 

[WR2]

Right - there's more to that than just a different CPU choice in the same model.

Am I right in thinking you don't really need to pay for a copy of Win7u Home Premium to do your work?

 

[hwmgr]

Right - there's more to that than just a different CPU choice in the same model.

http://i.imgur.com/022cm.png

Am I right in thinking you don't really need to pay for a copy of Win7u Home Premium to do your work?

yup, i have a windows 7 ultimate dvd, that i got with my desktop, so i can use that, but Dell is'nt letting me to remove the windows dvd option.. 🙁

 

[WR2]

How about the business class Dell Vostro 3750 notebooks?
Can you get an i7 Sandy Bridge CPU without Win7?

 

[hwmgr]

How about the business class Dell Vostro 3750 notebooks?
Can you get an i7 Sandy Bridge CPU without Win7?

I think it's not available here in india...

 

[Jim_L9]

I can easily run 6 Linux VMs on a Windows 7 host operating system on an older i5 laptop with 6 GB of memory. I was using it when I was recently teaching CompTIA Linux+ and Security+classes to demo some of the Linux tools available. Once I got more than 6 guest operating systems using between 512 MB and 1024 MB each the machine started to slow down.

 

[hwmgr]

I can easily run 6 Linux VMs on a Windows 7 host operating system on an older i5 laptop with 6 GB of memory. I was using it when I was recently teaching CompTIA Linux+ and Security+classes to demo some of the Linux tools available. Once I got more than 6 guest operating systems using between 512 MB and 1024 MB each the machine started to slow down.

so, i5 is a good deal, but i don't think that it's future proof for next 3-4yrs, as i won't be buying another rig for me in next 4 yrs..