Affordable server

[lukyjay]

Hi

I have taken the advice received from my previous thread as well as search results within this forum. I'm looking for feedback and opinions on the below build.

Use: Plex (1x 1080p transcode, 1x 1080p stream), HTPC software (sonarr, couchpotato, nzbget, etc). In the future I'd also like this server to control some IP cameras for security.

CPU: $470 aud - Intel xeon E3-1245 (it's only a few dollars more than 1240) 3.50GHz, quad core
Motherboard: $259 aud - MSI MSI C236A. I know its a workstation board, but I don't care for the server features such as IPMI, and SuperMicro is nowhere near this price in Australia.
Memory: $100 aud (x2 = $200) Samsung M391A1G43DB0-CPB ECC 8GB x2 (16GB to start with, but will upgrade to 32 in the future)
PSU: Unsure at this point. How many watts would I need for the above + 12 sata drives? I am hoping not more than 650.

I already own harddrives and a case.

I decided on the above CPU after reading the recommended hardware PDF on these forums. I decided on the motherboard after seeing a lack of affordable Supermicro gear in my country, and liking some of the features it has (

What do you guys think?

 

[SweetAndLow]

The cpu is way overkill and has a GPU that you don't need. For that light Plex work I would get a e3-1230. For 12 disks I think any good quality seasonics power supply is fine, 450w or 550w.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[lukyjay]

The cpu is way overkill and has a GPU that you don't need. For that light Plex work I would get a e3-1230. For 12 disks I think any good quality seasonics power supply is fine, 450w or 550w.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Hey

Thank you

I thought the CPU was overkill also but in Australia there's only a $50 difference between the 1230 and 1245

I thought with that price Iay as well get the better performer. It might also help for when I hook up my IP cameras, at the same time as plex. What are your thoughts?

 

[snaptec]

It depends on what you do with the IP cams. Just record? Motion Detection? Which Software? Zoneminder? Retranscode? How many cams? 480i streams or 1080p? How many fps?
A single Ip Cam on 352x288 with motion detection and 5 fps can be handled by zoneminder running on a raspi one.
I have a customer with 20+ FullHD motion detection streams at 15 fps loading a e5 2640...

 

[Stux]

That's a 50$ difference for 3% better performance.

Your call.

I would personally get a single 16GB stick of RAM, that way I can hit the full 64GB RAM limit of the CPU.

 

[Dice]

For 12 drives I'd definitely not go below 650w. If it was my box.

 

[lukyjay]

It depends on what you do with the IP cams. Just record? Motion Detection? Which Software? Zoneminder? Retranscode? How many cams? 480i streams or 1080p? How many fps?
A single Ip Cam on 352x288 with motion detection and 5 fps can be handled by zoneminder running on a raspi one.
I have a customer with 20+ FullHD motion detection streams at 15 fps loading a e5 2640...

Good point, sorry I forgot to add. 7 720p with motion detection, unsure what software at this point.

Good feedback Stux and Dice. I will aim for a 700w CPU and hide the power bill from the other half. ;)

The reason I chose an 8gb stick is because there were no 16gb ECC sticks on the motherboards compatibility list. I know some ram will work outside of that list though, so I will do what you suggested and start with one stick.

 

[Dice]

I will aim for a 700w CPU and hide the power bill from the other half.

The powerbill is not directly dictated by the sticker on the PSU. Rather it is a function of realtive load and efficiency (that refers overall to Gold/Platinum branding).
It is definitely possible for a Bronze rated 600w PSU to consume a lot more power from the wall for a given load than a titanium rated PSU.

Needs to be pointed out.

 

[lukyjay]

So the hardware I've chosen will be stable for freenas? I won't wake up and have no data? I'm unsure if the workstation motherboard is acceptable

 

[Dice]

I'm unsure if the workstation motherboard is acceptable

And you've decided that charted territory of SuperMicro boards are not within acceptable price.

 

[snaptec]

Good point, sorry I forgot to add. 7 720p with motion detection, unsure what software at this point.

Good feedback Stux and Dice. I will aim for a 700w CPU and hide the power bill from the other half. ;)

The reason I chose an 8gb stick is because there were no 16gb ECC sticks on the motherboards compatibility list. I know some ram will work outside of that list though, so I will do what you suggested and start with one stick.

The 1230 could be enough, depending on fps and software.

So the hardware I've chosen will be stable for freenas? I won't wake up and have no data? I'm unsure if the workstation motherboard is acceptable

Never tried or seen your mobo with freenas, maybe others could give a hint. Supermicros are proven to work, but thats no guarantee they have 0% fail
You still have a backup, right?

 

[lukyjay]

No, no backup but it's just personal media I download, nothing critical.

I'll give it a go. Best case I can offer advice for others. Worst case, I can use standard raid and Arch Linux (which I'm more familiar with)

Thanks all to the helpful replies

 

[snaptec]

Ok, maybe it works flawlessly, give it a try and let us know :)