Choose the appropriate Windows version based on your needs.
Choose the appropriate Windows version based on your needs.
You’ve got a solid setup with modern components and a good balance of performance. For running Windows VMs that also support gaming, Windows 10 Pro would be the most suitable option. It offers stability, security, and compatibility with your hardware. If you prefer a lighter experience or specific features, consider Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Kali Linux, but keep in mind they may require more configuration for gaming performance. Your RAM and GPU specs are well-suited for this configuration.
Server 2016 in the data center offers excellent hosting options with unlimited Hyper-V instances. Windows 10 Pro supports only two instances, leaving limited space within each Hyper-V container. If you intend to use another Pro instance for Server 2016, its features are similar to those of Windows 10.
The xeons were created in 2010 and function similarly to the i7 980x. Linux could work, though I prefer two Windows virtual machines. I may attempt to obtain Windows Server 2016, but budget constraints might limit it. Appreciate the advice!
Windows 2003 R2 would handle this just fine. For newer options, Windows 7 seems suitable if you have a Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate edition motherboard. Home editions won’t support dual CPU sockets—they might run but will use only one processor. Moving forward, Windows 2008 and 2012 would work (my dedicated server runs smoothly on 2012 R2). You don’t need the most recent version for that older hardware; the system can run without demanding a cutting-edge OS.
So you're wondering about the purpose of using Windows virtual machines. While Linux performs better in games, the extra resources needed for Windows VMs compared to a minimal Linux setup can make Linux more efficient. If you're considering this, feel free to share your thoughts—I'd love to hear your perspective!
You're planning to use two Windows virtual machines for testing purposes. They’re well-supported in gaming environments. I’m ready to proceed once the system is up and running, which should take a few weeks. Let me know if you have any specific performance tests in mind.
I believe a few frame counts across a couple of titles are sufficient. In straight tests, Linux seems quicker, though I’m not entirely confident about games.