CPU Choice for Linux (VM)
CPU Choice for Linux (VM)
I’m beginning to try VM for both Windows and Linux (one at a time) to grasp how virtualization functions. (Using VirtualBox) Which processor should I choose? I recall hearing that Intel is often preferred over AMD for virtualization. Has this shifted after Zen3? I know Nvidia GPUs might face driver issues on Linux, so I’m wary of opting for an AMD CPU without a built-in GPU. Are there other factors to consider? As a newcomer to Linux, I want to minimize early challenges. P.S. The VM must stay active as long as the physical PC is running, so it needs to share resources continuously.
I can't say there's an overwhelming reason to go either direction. From my experience on Threadripper AMD-V works just as well as Intel's VT-x at least when it comes to using QEMU/KVM as a virtualizer with hardware pass-through. I guess I'd go with whichever brand suits your other needs better.
You're weighing 5800x and 10850K options. The 5800x with the motherboard will be $50 more, while 8-core models offer better single-core performance compared to 12-core.
For VMs, the top choice is the 5900x offering, providing double the cores for half the price. While it may seem costly, it delivers the best performance per core.
It depends on the level of parallelism in your virtualized tasks. Generally, 12 cores can beat 8 unless you push the 8-core to its limits. If you mainly run one VM at a time or aim for gaming in a single VM, a lower core count with higher clock speeds might work better. For handling multiple VMs simultaneously, prioritize more cores over faster ones. When you need to stress several VMs together, consider boosting a 12-core setup.