I'm putting together my first PC build as I'm about to graduate in cybersecurity. I need a machine that can smoothly run 4-5 virtual machines (VMs) at the same time while also handling gaming at 1440p—especially with demanding titles like modded Arma and Elder Scrolls. I want to future-proof my setup so that I shouldn't need to upgrade for a few years, except for possibly adding more storage later. I'm looking for feedback on whether the cost-to-performance ratio of my selected components is reasonable. I'll also be waiting for sales to grab everything if I can. Here's my build: [https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9xTswY](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9xTswY)
3 Answers
You might want to consider bumping your RAM to 64GB. Running VMs can be pretty resource-intensive, and having more RAM will help, especially if you want to ensure smooth performance while gaming.
What tasks are you planning to use those VMs for? If they're going to handle more intensive operations like security exploits or forensics, you may need to consider getting more CPU cores and RAM. Additionally, while 4070 cards are decent, if you can grab a 5070 for a similar price, it might be worth it in terms of performance down the line.
I plan to work with exploits, network hardening, and forensics. I’ve seen that 8 cores and 32GB of RAM is generally the minimum for running those VMs effectively. As for the GPU, I’ve spotted some refurbished 4070 supers around $500-550, about the same as the 5070. Do you think that's a good deal?
Do you really need all those VMs running while you're gaming? It might be more efficient to run them separately unless you're testing specific situations.
I don't plan on running them simultaneously while gaming. I'm not sure how much RAM or storage each task requires on its own, though.
That’s a good point. I currently have a Mac mini with 16GB RAM that gets by with 2 VMs, but I’ll definitely look into getting at least 32GB for my new build.