This repository documents the hardware selection and architecture decisions behind a $600 SOC Analyst workstation designed for virtualization and home lab use.
The build prioritizes multi-threaded CPU performance, sufficient RAM capacity for concurrent virtual machines, and fast NVMe storage — the three components that directly impact virtualization performance.
- Concurrent execution of Kali Linux and Windows 10 virtual machines
- Network traffic analysis using Wireshark
- Log ingestion and analysis using Splunk
- Security tool deployment and testing
| Component | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | $183.00 |
| Motherboard | MSI B550M PRO-VDH WiFi | $79.99 |
| RAM | Viper 16GB DDR4 3200MHz | $70.00 |
| Storage | KingSpec NXM 512GB NVMe M.2 | $69.99 |
| PSU | Rosewill 650W 80+ Bronze Semi-Modular | $60.00 |
| Case | Antec NX200M Micro-ATX Mid Tower | $44.00 |
| Monitor | MSI PRO MP225 21.5" IPS 1080p 100Hz | $65.00 |
| Total | $571.98 |
CPU — AMD Ryzen 5 5600G The Ryzen 5 5600G was selected for its 6-core 12-thread configuration on the Zen 3 architecture. 12 threads allow dedicated core allocation across the host OS and multiple concurrent VMs without resource contention. The integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics eliminates the requirement for a dedicated GPU, preserving budget for RAM and storage.
Motherboard — MSI B550M PRO-VDH WiFi The B550 chipset supports PCIe 4.0, enabling full NVMe SSD throughput. The AM4 socket provides compatibility with the Ryzen 5000 series. Integrated WiFi removes the need for a separate wireless adapter.
RAM — 16GB DDR4 3200MHz Dual Channel 16GB in a 2x8GB dual channel configuration was selected as the minimum viable capacity for running two VMs simultaneously. DDR4 3200MHz aligns with the Ryzen 5000 series memory controller optimisation, delivering maximum bandwidth at this price point.
Storage — KingSpec NXM 512GB NVMe M.2 NVMe protocol over PCIe delivers read speeds of approximately 3500MB/s compared to SATA's 550MB/s ceiling. This directly reduces VM boot times and improves responsiveness during concurrent VM operation.
PSU — Rosewill 650W 80+ Bronze Semi-Modular Estimated system draw is 149W under full load. The 650W rating provides sufficient headroom for future GPU integration without PSU replacement. The 80+ Bronze rating ensures efficiency above 82% across load ranges.
| Component | Draw |
|---|---|
| CPU | 65W |
| Motherboard | 50W |
| RAM | 10W |
| NVMe SSD | 10W |
| Total | ~149W |
Jacob John Federal University of Technology Akure IT Support & Cybersecurity LinkedIn | TryHackMe