I was going to use MBR as it's a little easier gaining access to HDD if required should OS refuse to boot, etc with a boot disc. I have found it difficult finding a boot disc that supports GPT.
It's nearly £200 more for that ML310 v2 with Xeon CPU.
Can you run EXSi on the Dell model?
Yes, the ML310e is expensive, but my needs are different and I was just highlighting what I had running, doesn't mean to say you need to as there are many options open to you. I wish I hadn't now though as I'm looking to setup cluster to test vMotion and SRM, so means me purchasing another :|
In regards to using ESXi, there isn't any reason why you shouldn't be able to. Memory really will be your main limiting factor. You might be able to purchase non-ECC, as ECC is more expensive (quite considerably normally) to take it to 32GB, but its a motherboard/supportability issue if you can.
Cheapest T20 I could find:
Dell PowerEdge T20 Xeon E3-1225V3 3.2 GHz 4GB RAM 1TB HDD Tower Server on Servers Direct
Matched ECC:
Crucial 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 ECC UDIMM CT5092324 | PowerEdge T20 | Crucial UK
ECC: 1x or 2 x
https://www.serversplus.com/servers/memory/kingston_memory/kvr16e11/8
Non-ECC: TBC as I was reading on a few forums this is fixed configuration, so will not post with non-ECC, need to do a little more digging so if this is the case, suddenly other options may become more attractive. i.e. micro server, or even two microservers
The ML110 was also a big 'home use' favorite for people, but they dropped the range and then re-introduced it with the G9's so the price rocketed. Dell have a good server range and i use them myself regularly work wise. The Microserver might also be an option if budget doesn't stretch.
Just remember also the Xeon in the low end server ranges also don't have hyperthreading, which is not really a big deal tbh.
OverClockers T20 Owners Thread:
**Dell PowerEdge T20 Mini Tower Server - Owner Thread** - Page 3 - Overclockers UK Forums
I think any of the VMWare stuff will run, but you might want to increase the RAM, the stuff fitted will be ECC so 8GB ECC might be ~£42 if I guess right. You don't need ECC but if it is cheap enough you may as well have it.
Just noticed they have a feature which HP calls "iLO" or integrated Lights Out. It's a remote management interface (like Dell Remote Access Card) that probably lets you access BIOS remotely, install remotely, monitor etc. The bit I don't like is that it mentions "licences" for using this iLO feature when I look it up on their site.
Licences Smicences...
Its only for the 'advanced' features, which is generally federation etc. Only downside if you don't licence is you don't get the remote java/.net console, but it's relatively easy to find a suitable licence.
I'm also pretty sure you need to licence the iDRAC on a Dell also anyway if you want the 'extras'