new tower with virtualization

I would like to know what the specs say so I can install either Virtual box or free VMware on a new tower.
I see Intel VT-x, Virtualization technology, Intel V-Pro tech- what words should I look for so (I do not just build windows hyper-v but) actually can build Virtual box or free VMware?
I am hoping for an $800 build with that feature and ; Windows 10 Pro, no OEM, Intel, PSU 600, SSD 500, ?12 GB RAM, DVD read write.
I went to Micro Center down the street but they tried to sell me a pre built for too much- $1200
Maybe I can have one built for me with the above in it? Any ball park figures fro a machine of this type?
Help appreciated

Maranna needs to use virtual machines of some type for application testing.

She posted on the custom PC forum here, but didn't get much help regarding her virtualization requirements.

Microcenter tried to sell her a 3.7 GHz i7 K model, with I think a 1070 video card, and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, I think 3200 speed.

Does virtualization require an i7 or will a higher tier i5 work well?

Does she need a K model processor?

As far as I know, she does not overclock, but maybe hyperthreading is very useful in her situation?

Can she get by with integrated graphics? If not, how powerful a video card is needed for adequate virtualization?

Is that about what you need to know, Maranna?

Yes thank you. Also I read Virtual box would need 16 GB RAM which seems high and something called Vt tech,1 GHz CPU, 2 core, 4 GB per VM(which I do not understand if that is the guest or not),500 GB storage, on board or graphics card support for direct x 9 driver model 1.0.

It seems if I forgot virtualization, I would save a lot of problems and $. It just seems I am ready to use it to test apps etc.

maranna said:

something called Vt tech,1 GHz CPU, 2 core

I don't know where you read it but it is wrong.

VirtualBox requires the VT-x instruction to exist on your CPU (which it will if you bought it in the last 20 years) and that virtualisation is turned on in BIOS. Note this only applies to running 64bit guest. You can run 32bit guests without but I never really tried to find the absolute minimum requirements.

maranna said:

I read Virtual box would need 16 GB RAM

This is untrue. You don't need 16GB RAM. I run continuously 2 Linux VMs (they use about 300MB each) and sometimes one or two Windows VMs on my laptop and it only has 8GB. If I run both at once it slows down but it works. If I could upgrade my laptop from 8GB to 16GB then I would but I can't so I don't.

If you look at this VirtualBox link their requirements are in fact 512MB (not GB) RAM which is less than Windows requires and and (their guess) 10GB of disk space per VM.

You do need at least 2 cores (but again this is old tech). It has been basically impossible to buy a single core CPU since about the year 2000. I'm sure someone will correct me but I think it is (for a PC build) probably true give or take 5 years.

maranna said:

graphics card support for direct x 9 driver model 1.0.

The DX version is based on when the CPU (or your card) was released. DX9 was released in 2002. You probably want something that runs at least DX11 (released 2008) or perhaps even DX12 (released in 2015) but I've personally not found anything that requires DX12 yet. Perhaps there is but I don't know about it.

Look at : DirectX - Wikipedia

Bottom line, if you are buying (or making ) a PC, for your use as you describe it, any CPU will do. Any graphics card will do (or none at all if your CPU has integrated graphics).

You should try to buy/make one with at least 16GB memory and at least 250GB (ideally 512GB) of SSD storage.

This is, of course, just my opinion.

But your opinion is important to me b/c you have simplified things.
It seems if I buy 16 GB RAM, 500 GB SSD storage and a PC that supports virtualization I am OK. With that in mind I can search for a less expensive PC but with the components discussed.
I think the 900$ machine one whose specs I posted would be OK although it has only 480 GB SSD. It also has an i7 which I think I do not need and am losing $ on.

If you don't know why you want a i7 then you don't need it but it doesn't matter either way.

480GB SSD is good (honestly it is more than enough - you can save your data elsewhere for pennies). 16GB RAM is very good. i7 or i5 is fine - makes no difference either way.

If (in the future) you need to buy a upgraded disk or something then it will be cheap.

Get in your car and go and buy it (is my suggestion). You will be happy.

If you don't you'll only have people adding pointless theories about how you should have a certain type of USB port on your case which will only add confusion.

lx07 said:

If you don't know why you want a i7 then you don't need it but it doesn't matter either way.

480GB SSD is good (honestly it is more than enough - you can save your data elsewhere for pennies). 16GB RAM is very good. i7 or i5 is fine - makes no difference either way.

If (in the future) you need to buy a upgraded disk or something then it will be cheap.

Get in your car and go and buy it (is my suggestion). You will be happy.

If you don't you'll only have people adding pointless theories about how you should have a certain type of USB port on your case which will only add confusion.

>>If I have warranty I should be OK as I deal with Micro Center.
I have a re installation stick I made for this machine with the MCT and an ISO>stick with Rufus. I hope that does it.
Thanks

I hope I am posting to the people who were helping me. The SSD is ADATA who the sales guy said is not his favorite but felt with a 3 yr warranty I would be know if it will stand up or not.
He could ask about swapping prior to sales.
The PSU is Cooler Master and the same thinking applies.
I think without complicating things I could get it with the 3 year warranty.
What do you think; another PSU and SSD or not?

Hey maranna,
Doesn't have to be an HP, but one of these will do what you want. Check the specs tab > Main CPU Features

HP Pavilion 590-p0022 Desktop Computer - Micro Center

HP Pavilion 590-p0071 Desktop Computer - Micro Center

Note: Power Supply on these are only 310 W.

Eagle51 said:

Hey maranna,
Doesn't have to be an HP, but one of these will do what you want. Check the specs tab > Main CPU Features

HP Pavilion 590-p0022 Desktop Computer - Micro Center

HP Pavilion 590-p0071 Desktop Computer - Micro Center

Note: Power Supply on these are only 310 W.

>>Thanks but the PSU is a bit low.