I can confirm from multiple instances, AC will run faster on a peer-to-peer 'server' than it will on a machine that is running all of the other services that Bert alluded to, so separating them into separate VMs is preferable for MANY reasons.
For simplicity and reliability, 6.3.3 is still the gold standard in my mind. Damn near bulletproof and MUCH less troubled with destructive Meaningless Use.
