We’ve just put the finishing touches on a new video which discusses how to confirm ESX and ESXi host hardware compatibility using the VMware Hardware Compatibility Guides, which are available here.

You can use the VMware Hardware Compatibility Guides to confirm whether or not your particular server, system, HBA, network card, or other peripheral devices are certified and compatible for use with specific vSphere ESX and ESXi versions.

Additional information is available at Confirming ESX/ESXi host hardware (System, Storage, and I/O) compatibility (1003916).